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Land Development

"We will only allow development in Austin using ecologically responsible methods, and that prioritizes people before profit."

Housing for ALL

We live on a planet of abundance. There are more than enough resources for every single person to live in luxury. Yet, our market driven model idolizes a scarcity perspective, and this dangerously perpetuates extraction and exclusion. We must acknowledge this truth if we are going to move forward effectively. 

 

Our housing plan focuses on these key issues:

 

  • Asserting it is the People’s Right to Develop, for the long-term, multi-generational vitality-maximization for all people 

  • Developers do not have prior right to unilaterally determine what to build, especially in urban setting geologically assigned for mass populations

  • ALL housing must be built with ecologically sustainable materials and methods, must be net-zero, carbon-sequestering, rain-water capturing, efficient water cycling, human biofield optimizing, green space incorporated, natural air flow enabling; This addresses affordability and resiliency at the root cause, since we can inherently eliminate the need for utility and maintenance costs, and overcome the industry trap of planned obsolescence. 

  • There are two main types of housing we should be developing: Dense Vertical and Single Family Neighborhoods; Both must accommodate all income levels, without sacrificing quality or dignity based on that metric. One solution is to offer 1/3 of units for traditional purchase, 1/3 to a Build-To-Own/Sweat-Equity/Cooperative Construction/People’s Housing model, and 1/3 dedicated to Profit-Sharing Ventures, like Short Terms Rentals (AustinBnB/People’s Hotel), commercial space rentals, and Innovation Labs geared at providing materials and technology access for residents to explore entrepreneurial ventures to be profit shared with developers and equity contributors. 

  • This plan includes 1st option Right to Return for All Indigenous people with roots to this broader region, as well as families displaced by oppressive policies across the past centuries. 

  • Mass Transit Solutions, Urban Rail on every major street, autonomous busses and shuttles, dedicated bike/scooter lanes, fully protected and uninhibited pedestrians roadways, and the most accelerated method of project completion (end contractor inefficiencies and bid-corruption) 

 

We must work on ALL new developments with the goal of maximizing freedom and resiliency, which means we must change the investment model to eliminate the costs of housing for people, while providing economic opportunity for residents to maximize their innovative and entrepreneurial potential. 

 

The problem now in our housing is obviously that we build unsustainable and weak units with high maintenance and utility costs, which increase our energy demand, poison our ecology, and cause residents to pay rent or mortgage and taxes, which is a fundamentally extractive and fragile model, also a limited and scarce model which is burdened by a profit ceiling. 

 

When we change this model to what I have proposed, we are investing in the quality of life for all residents, investing in their dignity and freedom to live their purpose, not to be burdened by bills. When we provide these opportunities and the resources to innovate, developers now can share profits with any innovations created within the environment they facilitate. So, instead of building the cheapest possible to extract the highest rents possible, we are building the most long-term sustainable as possible to eliminate all residents’ costs and invest in residents’ skills, talents, education, wellness, and entrepreneurial potential. This is a REGENERATIVE investment, and it must be our way forward. 

 

Once we establish this model, ALL people will have access to Austin’s urban core, as well as equitable opportunity to actualize their highest potential and live their purpose in joy, abundance, and freedom.

Family First

At the core of everything we do with taxes, codes and regulations, we will prioritize families and locals. Austin's core culture is made up of strong families who plant their roots here for a reason: it's a great place to live! It's crucial that we do not allow anything to force our families and locals out due to their inability to stay afloat. Our long-term goal is do craft a social structure wherein taxation is no longer required, and where cost of living for locals becomes nothing, so our families can focus more on raising healthy children and realizing their full potential as creative and valuable members of our community. As utopian as this sounds, it is very attainable through our cooperative efforts and application of technology. With our leadership, family will come first.

Tenant-Landlord Relations

One of the saddest things for a renter is to live in a run-down building that feels like the landlord does not care about. Too often has the status-quo enabled an environment where living conditions in rental units are subpar and very likely toxic to human health. As we become more aware of the vibration of a structure in relation to our vitality as people, it's more clear that our old and current methods of domicile design are detrimental to all aspects of our lifestyle. 

We need to find a way to dramatically incentivize our landlord community to renovate and beautify their properties for our rental population. I firmly believe there is a harmonious collaboration to be discovered, so that landlords are financially satisfied and no person has to live in grotesque conditions. We value all people's quality of lifestyle, no matter their income level. 

Developers & Investors

Obviously Austin has been a fantastic place for real estate investors and land developers to make a profit. However, we cannot allow this type of business to occur to the detriment of our local citizens.

Any property owners and landlords who do not reside in Austin nor contribute to the greater good of the community through one of our people-benefitting incentive programs will bear the brunt of the property taxes and costs associated with land ownership and use. We will shift the regulatory and financial burden onto those who only seek profit from our people yet don't invest in raising the quality of life for our residents.

In addition, developers will only be permitted to build in complete earth resonance, meaning entirely net-zero, carbon-sequestering, rain-water-capturing, smart water recycling, biolfield optimizing, natural air flow, and green space incorporating. This is the most reasonable mandate, and must be #1. 

No longer can we allow development in Austin that disrespects the available potential for ecologically responsible methods, or that prioritizes profit over people. 

Affordable Housing Bond

I support the Proposition A affordable housing bond, which allocates $250,000,000 toward housing.

If you are not aware, please do research on sustainable building practices in the realm of eco-villages, earth materials, and sacred geometry design. As we move into the future, it's crucial that we fully embrace what emerging science is telling us in relation to building design and human health. If we neglect this information we are putting our people in peril and building more of the same old crap that is not valuable long-term. 

With $250,000,000, we could develop entire communities that are net-zero, actually sequester carbon, and are cooperatively owned by the people, essentially being rent free. Remember, this is the people's money, and we have the opportunity to do something never seen in the modern age. We have the opportunity to build sovereign land districts that redefine our concept of personal ownership verses land use and access, that strengthen our bond as a community, and are optimally configured for human health, connectivity and creativity. These ecologically innovative developments could literally redefine the next generation of city life in a way that minimizes the financial burdens on people while simultaneously saving us from climate change and protecting us against any pending natural disasters. 

Just because we've always done it one way does not mean we need to continue down that path, nor that is was the right path to begin with. 

CodeNext

I have some core principles on CodeNext that I believe should be considered:

- If it isn't good for everyone, it's no good at all.

- Codes should allow for maximum expression of individual liberty and the protection of those rights for all people. Basically, people should be able to do what they want as long as it doesn't negatively impact another person's right to live peacefully and vitally. 

- All new construction in Austin should be net-zero in energy consumption and materials used should sequester carbon. 

- No new construction must use any materials from the petrochemical industry nor may they utilize any fossil-fuel based energy infrastructure, including natural gas.

- All high-rise buildings should utilize solar glass, natural air flow, and incorporate cutting-edge green space design elements, like vertical forests or gardens.

- All new multi-family developments should be incentivized to equitably distribute sunlight and natural airflow to the highest degree possible. 

- All new community developments should be incentivized to utilize grey-water systems, community farming/gardening, water conservation, and rain water collection to the highest degree possible. 

- All previous construction will be dramatically incentivized to remove and cutoff all fossil-fuel based energy systems, and to replace them with carbon-neutral and renewable systems. 

Vertical Gardens

Carbon sequestration and food security are defining issues of our time. Many places around the world have already begun to construct high-rise structures that incorporate these elements into their design and construction. This will be the future that benefits all people and makes our skyline a harmonious balance between modern and natural. I propose we explore every possibility to move our city in this direction. 

An Idealist Vision

I believe that if we do not aim for utopia, we're settling for mediocracy. Why else are we here on this planet other than to co-create a beautiful reality where everyone lives in abundance and prosperity? The point to living is to have a happy life, and as we grow as a city, we should aspire to include every living being in this experience.

Yes, I am an idealist with a specific vision, where everyone lives their highest purpose, where society values compassion and challenges excellence in character from every person, where creativity and innovation flourish, while maintaining the sacred natural order of life on Earth. 

Simply put, I believe you are valuable and you deserve the best.

Please share your vision with me!

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Political Advertising paid for by the Travis Duncan for Austin Mayor Campaign, P.O. Box 41013, Austin, TX 78704. Karen Donsbach, Treasurer. This campaign has agreed to comply with the contribution and expenditure limits of the Austin Fair Campaign Ordinance.

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