Forest Hills Forward
Communities in the greater Pittsburgh region are navigating efforts to curb the climate crisis, manage economic forces to provide opportunity, and foster community culture and identity. At this critical moment in time, Forest Hills was grappling with the role they would like to play in responding to and preparing for these forces.
View the Forest Hills Forward Vision Plan
The Forest Hills Community Alliance (FHCA) engaged evolveEA to design an ecodistricts-inspired approach that builds upon the community’s robust existing initiatives and guides Forest Hills in their next chapter. After two years of fact finding and framing discussions, Forest Hills Forward was established. This community-specific adaptation of ecodistricts incorporates thinking across six quality of life areas (energy, mobility, food, water, air, and equity) through the lens of sustainability, resilience, and innovation.
Forest Hills Forward launched publicly with a Community Conversation Series where residents learned about the quality of life areas and discussed their lived experience and hopes for the future of Forest Hills. FHCA and evolveEA elevated existing plans and activities, synthesized community desires, and analyzed relevant data to inform the future vision, catalytic projects, programs, and activities described in the plan.
The Forest Hills Forward vision centers on three concepts:
- Reimagine Main Street: Forest Hills has a thriving business district where patrons enjoy a safe and memorable experience. Businesses have a strategic advantage due to the district’s focus on sustainability, resilience, and innovation.
- Strengthen our Legacy of Innovation: Forest Hills has a strong identity as a regional leader in innovation, sustainability, and resilience. The community is a hub of activity for opportunities to learn, act, and engage.
- Honor the “Forest” in Forest Hills: Forest Hills has a trail and park network that increases walkability and urban hiking opportunities, connects residents to nature by celebrating the community’s water places, and improves environmental quality.
