Recognizing that Houston's quality of life and economic prosperity go hand in hand, the Quality of Life Coalition proposes action in four areas: Addressing these issues improves the quality of life for all Houstonians by providing recreational opportunities, mitigating floods, increasing property values, reducing the heat island effect and ‘cooling' our city,and attracting the best and brightest to our region. TREES & LANDSCAPING
Trees and landscaping should be a part of every public building project. The Coalition supports forestation of freeways under the Texas Department of Transportation's Green Ribbon Plan as the most cost-effective way to change the way the Houston region looks from the road. We work to protect existing trees on streets and to plant more of them. We support tree planting and landscaping of toll roads and of all public building projects. Trees not only brighten our home town, they increase property values, lessen noise,and lessen the urban heat island effect. PARKS, BAYOUS, & RECREATION
Houston and Harris County citizens and their families need more parks. The Coalition supports sound planning, adequate funding, and appropriate expansion for city, county, and state parks in our area. The Quality of Life Coalition, in conjunction with many Houston area stakeholders, is currently working on a Bayou Greenway Initiative, started in January of 2010. This Initiative is gaining lots of attention and momentum very quickly! For more information on the "Bayou Greenway" vision to connect 10 of Houston's major bayou arteries with hike/bike trails, parks and water quality wetland features for hundreds of miles and through almost all of Houston's residential and commercial areas, click here
Parks provide recreational opportunities, mitigate floods, and increase both immediate property values and long-term attractiveness of the community for job creation. The Coalition works to see that local resources are enhanced with city, county, state and federal funds as well as individual, corporate, and foundation funding. BILLBOARDS & SIGNAGE
Houston's beauty is too often hidden behind billboards and private signage that are both larger and more extensive than those allowed in other competitive communities. The Coalition supports active enforcement of Houston's billboard ordinances and banning construction of further billboards in the greater Houston area and the state. It supports changes in Houston's signage ordinances to make Houston competitive with other cities. LITTER & GRAFFITI
Litter and graffiti mar the appearance of too many parts of Houston. The Coalition supports a two-pronged approach: (1) volunteer-enhanced clean-ups and education, and (2)the creation of a public education program, patterned after the successful Don't Mess with Texas campaign, which paid for itself in decreased litter-pick up costs.
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