Paths to Prosperity: Scenario Planning as a Framework

Paths to Prosperity: Scenario Planning as a Framework
to Guide Regional Development, July 28, 2011

  • What does the future hold for the Birmingham region?
  • How will the region grow?
  • Where will people live?
  • Where will they work?
  • Where will they spend their money and time?
  • Can the region afford to stay on the same path for development or does something different need to occur?
  • What changes need to occur in order to ensure that the region can sustain itself physically and economically?

These are just some of the critical questions that need to be answered as the Birmingham region embarks on the journey to begin shaping its future and pursing the path to prosperity.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in partnership with the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (RPCGB), is sponsoring a one-day workshop, entitled Paths to Prosperity. This workshop is a first step in developing a planning framework for growth and development of the Birmingham region by looking at critical resources and infrastructure, beginning with an update of the Birmingham Regional Transportation Plan.

The RPCGB is seeking assistance to better understand and address the physical, socioeconomic, and cultural changes that the region is experiencing. The scenario planning workshop also will enable the region's elected, business, civic, and community leaders, to provide direct input into the regional planning process, and specifically the Regional Transportation Plan update.


For immediate questions Contact: Darrell Howard, RPCGB Deputy Director of Planning, dhoward@rpcgb.org

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Biographical Information

Lew Villotti: Currently the Planning and Development Director for the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission. The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission is the designated MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization), the LDD (Local Development District) and the EDD (Economic Development District) for the 10 county region of Southwestern Pennsylvania centering on Pittsburgh.

Prior to taking the position as Planning and Development Director Lew served as a Project Manager for Michael Baker Jr, Inc. His area of concentration was multi-modal and corridor planning projects. Lew spent 9 years with the Washington County Planning Commission in Washington, PA. In his final two years there he served as the Assistant Director.

Lew holds a Bachelors and Masters Degree from California University of Pennsylvania. Serves as Vice-Chairman of the Independence Cross Creek Sewer and Water Authority and has been a youth soccer coach for 18 seasons. Lew lives in Avella Pennsylvania with his wife of 19 years Beth and their 15 year old daughter Maria.


W. Kirk Brethauer: Mr. Brethauer began his career at the SPC as a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technician in 1993, just as SPC started developing their region-wide GIS. Kirk led this effort by assembling what little existing geospatial data could be found at that time for the region, then collecting, cataloging and digitizing the rest. After working closely with consultants on creating the foundation data, Kirk was promoted to GIS Manager to coordinate the GIS Department's expanding role in complementing other SPC programs. Since then, SPC's GIS staff, equipment, and capabilities have grown to comprise one of the agency's largest annual work programs. Kirk continues to oversee programs designed to provide the data and analysis needed by SPC plans and programs, while at the same time assisting the region's local governments and SPC's partner agencies.

Through the integration of high resolution aerial imagery, accurate elevation data, and online GIS applications, and by adopting best practices for data development and transfer, SPC's Unified GIS promotes the efficient use and exchange of critical geospatial data across all governmental levels in southwestern Pennsylvania.

In 2002, Kirk was promoted to Information Systems Director to manage SPC's Highway Performance Monitoring System, and to administer the policies and procedures regarding the computing and information technology environment at SPC.

Kirk holds a Bachelors of Science degree from the Pennsylvania State University, with majors in both Planning and Geographic Information Systems. Kirk resides in rural Butler County along with his wife Carol and daughter Marina.