CREATING AN ATTRACTIVE REGION FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL THINKERS: WHAT’S YOUR BIG IDEA?

Session description

It's time to think big. And we want to know: what's your big idea? When you think of the future for Raleigh is it about possibilities or mission impossible? This session will explore three major themes: 1) Curiosity, creativity & culture, 2) Green spaces and fun places and 3) Connectivity.

We want you to draw on your experiences, bring in ideas from your travels, and build upon the great culture that we already have in Raleigh. At the end of this session, we'll unveil the top "big ideas" from our group collaboration.

Curiosity, creativity & culture

What would make Raleigh a hub for curiosity, creativity, and culture? Think about the unique parts of Raleigh's culture, the cultural events and festivals that contribute to this community. How do we establish an openness to ideas that might push limits, seem crazy, "not possible," or ridiculous?

Expand your mind to include other definitions about curiosity, creativity, and culture. What else could they mean for this creative exercise? What’s the “Raleigh way” to approach curiosity, creativity, and problem solving?

Questions

Table 1) What have you seen around the world that should be in Raleigh?
Table 2) How do we create a population and culture of problem solvers?

Green spaces and fun places

Raleigh has lots of green space and fun spaces, compared to most cities, but not enough people know about them. Even those who live here tend to take it for granted. What steps can we take to ensure that Raleigh residents and those we would like to attract see this as a key differentiator compared with other cities around the country? These places might be parks or open spaces and the might be used for recreation, entertainment, fitness, health, creativity, and so much more.

Questions

Table 3) What green space & fun spaces ideas should we bring to Raleigh?
Table 4) How do we amplify and make our green space & fun spaces better?

Connectivity

We can be connected in so many ways: digital connectivity, social connectivity, and physical connectivity. What are the ways we can better connect the people of Raleigh? How does someone feel connected to their community? What kind of resources are most valuable to those relocating to Raleigh (websites, groups, places, etc.) to help them start a career, start a company, grow a family?

Questions

Table 5) How can we improve our connectivity?
Table 6) What kind of resources are needed for new & people relocating to Raleigh?

RESULTS

Top four Big Ideas (with group votes)

Transit + light rail (29)
Non-profit innovation + support system (17)
Signature attraction (make it interactive) (16)
Connect greenspace, open space, bikes, and buses (15)

Top 20 ideas from six breakout groups (with group votes)

More activities (9)
Cafe style seating (6)
Signage (4)
Shared communication strategies (6)
high speed broadband (9)
move central prison (4)
teach ent. In schools (3)
Non-profit innovation + support system (17)
bike rental (4)
adult parks (3)
better wifi/info about parks (4)
signature attraction (make it interactive) (16)
connect Raleigh, Durham, and CH (3)
visitors not renting cars (0)
dedicate greenway (3)
architectural landmark (2)
connect greenspace, open space, bikes, and buses (15)

#1 How do we create a population and culture of problem solving?

Women leaders - break down barriers
Teach entrepreneurship in school* *
Ignite communities
Nonprofit innovation**
Recognize, support, empower existing talent* *
Make it fun!

#2 - What have you seen around the world that should be in Raleigh?

Light Rail **
Connectivity of green space, open space and bike transportation * *
Move the Central Prison out of a high density area * *
High speed broadband * *
Code for Raleigh – Open Government
One Raleigh Brand = Sharing, Belonging, Celebrating
Arts as an Industry Segment
How to find “cool things” to do in Raleigh
Edible landscapes – apple trees, berry bushes, herb gardens

#3 - What green spaces and fun spaces ideas should we bring to Raleigh?

Signature attraction (Arch, London Eye) ;Interactive * *
Marketing Branding * *
Urban/Micro Pocket Parks
Activities at Parks, music, trampolines, trapeze, ziplines, climbing gym, water features **
Interactive/digital signage and color coding to direct to parks
More cafes inviting seating with a solar charging stations * *
Water features/statues (solar storm drainage)
Bike rentals/safari/creative bike racks

#4 - How do we amplify and make our green space & fun spaces better?

Bike Rentals throughout Triangle **
Improved signage to find parks, places Attractive, brighter
App for information about events, places | Wifi in greenspaces – everywhere
Dix Park **
Integrate bus system with greenway
Parks for play – adult parks, family parks, build a park, parklets **
Clean more bathrooms/amenities, flushable/adult bar
create a central attraction (water-based)
Develop unused green space for pocket parks/parklets
Keep expanding greenway
Food trucks/service near greenway

#5 - How do we improve our connectivity?

Transit (light rail), intercity connectivity **
Signage (area designations) **
Co-working spaces
Balconies/rooftops/aerial visibility/balconies
Media
Public spaces
A shared communications strategy **
Local media co-op
Public wifi access
Wider sidewalks
Resources database (state, entrepreneurship)
Services database
Cultural calendar

#6 - What kind of resources are needed for new people relocating to Raleigh ?

Transit **
- Connecting to Durham, Chapel Hill
Dedicated greenways that go directly downtown (avoiding street crossing) - even to Umstead Park **
Iconic landmark (water feature, etc.) **