Task Forces

In line with the GDPC Mission, advocacy is the central focus of the Board, Leadership Team, and Task Forces. Achieving the mission requires proactive engagement in identifying, researching, and evaluating public policy issues that impact the North Texas region and Texas as a whole.

Task Forces meet regularly to address key issues, with board members chairing each Task Force. These chairs collaborate with members and non-members to develop programs, policy statements, and resolutions for action to the Texas Legislature, City Councils, the media, and the public.

Advocacy in Motion

Mobility

  • Mobility provides access across the urban space to create our business, cultural and social life. Our vehicles, and the right-of-way they run on, are key drivers of our economy. By moving people and goods, getting us to school, and connecting us to nature, mobility can and should maximize opportunity for all. Mobility, at best, can improve our neighborhoods, enliven our streets, keep us safe, and preserve nature

    The Mobility Task Force will focus on policy and design issues as they impact the urban fabric. Our scope will include all modes of transit, from walking to using bikes, autos, trucks, busses, rail and airborne, human-driven and automated, as the technologies develop. We acknowledge the profound and often unexpected interactions of these technologies on the urban experience, and want to advocate those that benefit all equitably. 

  • Task Force Co-chair - Hamza Khan, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.

    Task Force Co-chair - Tom Grant, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.

    For more information contact:
    MobilityTF@gdpc.org

Environment & Natural Resources

  • The objective of the Water, Energy, Natural Resources Task Force is to educate GDPC members, public decision makers and the general public about sustainable water, energy and resources management. A related objective is to develop, promote, and support public policies and practices to implement sustainable water resources management.

  • Key Water, Energy, Natural Resources Task Force Issues

    • Sustainable Storm Water Management

    • The task force has presented the “Business Case for Green Storm Water Infrastructure” to the Sustainable Public ROW committee with NCTCOG at the Focus North Texas 5 Planning Symposium, and at Earth Day Texas 2015. An additional presentation is planned for the NCTCOG Public Works Round Up on July 16.

    • Source Water Protection

    • Water Supply

    • Water Conservation

    • Water Re-Use

    Nov 2012 Resolution – Supporting Upper Trinity Regional Water District’s Long-Range Water Supply Planning and development of Lake Ralph Hall

    April 2012 Resolution – (1) The City of Dallas proposal for a uniform regional conservation strategy of twice per week maximum landscape irrigation. (2) The City of Dallas further refine its water conservation policy with consideration for limited flexibility review of current land use development standards to water conservation long-term water planning water rates, further advancements in irrigation technology and regional cooperation.

  • Task Force Co-chair - John Clarkson, John Clarkson, LLC
    Task Force Co-chair - Matt Craig, Halff Associates, Inc.

    For more information contact:
    NaturalResourcesTF@gdpc.org

Urban Design

  • The Urban Design Task Force considers urban design as creating places where “people want to be” – where they are attracted to and are comfortable in; and where they want to stay and reinvest.

    Accessibility to abundant trees, trails, bikeways, creeks or greenbelts – or simply green infrastructure or native landscapes is essential. These features also combine to provide a framework for exhibiting best practices for green storm water and transportation infrastructure and are integral to the fabric of the public and private realms.

    This includes cities, towns, neighborhoods, commercial areas, open spaces and trails. We are particularly concerned with promoting good urban design and public policy that results in an environment built using sustainable development policies and consisting of good quality and form. In addition, access to affordable housing and the prevalence of poverty have substantial impacts on the stability of communities. Consequently, this task force is focused on promoting quality housing, urban places, and public policies that result in supportive surroundings for sustainable neighborhoods, and commercial development and redevelopment.

  • The Urban Design Task Force is also charged with:

    • Submitting Monthly Summary Reports

    • Creating and submitting an annual Operating Plan

    • Conducting bi-monthly Lunch and Learn sessions throughout the year

    • Coordinating at least one Membership Breakfast Program

    • Identifying, analyzing and preparing a position statement on one or more issues that affect Urban Design in the Region

    • Authoring letters to the editor as appropriate

  • Task Force Co-chair - Jack Gryczynski, JHP Architecture

    Task Force Co-chair - Brennan Kane, Olsson

    For more information contact:
    UrbanDesignTF@gdpc.org

Technology & Innovation

  • Technology increasingly impacts how cities are designed and how people live, work and play within them. The Technology and Innovation Task Force seeks to research these trends and educate the community about technological developments in the Dallas area. This task force is also interested in cultivating emerging talent in technology, urban design, and planning to leverage the latest thinking on these topics. Upcoming areas of interest include the following: deck park technology, free and accessible Wi-Fi deployment, bridging the digital divide, and autonomous vehicle technology.

  • The Technology and Innovative Task Force is also charged with:

    • Annual Plan

    • Quarterly reports on a technology topic

    • Biannual Educational Events

    • At least one Membership Breakfast

    • At least one position paper

    • Letters to the editor as needed

    Annual Plan Preview:

    Quarterly reports on a technology topic

    • Deck park technology

    • Streetlight Wi-Fi deployment in Dallas

    • Autonomous Vehicles in DFW/NCTCOG

    • 5G network technology

    Biannual Educational Events

    • Southern Gateway deck park tour

    • Autonomous vehicle exploration with NCTCOG/City of Dallas

    At least one Membership Breakfast

    • Support Broadband Infrastructure and Digital Divide (Equity Series) event in September

    At least one position paper (Deck Park support/3C overbuild)

    • Support for KBHCCD 3C-West of Lamar overbuild/deck park over I-30

    Letters to the editor as needed

    • Perhaps to support broadband infrastructure/digital divide efforts in Dallas

  • Task Force Co-chair - Manuel Calderon, Jacobs

    Task Force Co-chair - Greg Witte, CivTech