“Forging partnerships is essential to achieve lasting smart growth at community and regional levels. That is why APA is pleased once again to be a sponsor of the 2nd Annual New Partners for Smart Growth conference. Our members throughout the planning movement across the country--professional planners, elected officials, and engaged citizens from many walks of life--know that comprehensive, participatory planning is the essential foundation for building great communities where residents have ample choice in housing, job location, ways to get around, and cultural opportunities. Working together, we can ensure that all Americans benefit from smart growth and that future generations share those benefits as well!”     —W. Paul Farmer, AICP, Executive Director, American Planning Association

Special Features


Active Youth Participation
Another exciting feature of this conference is the inclusion of "leaders of tomorrow" in the planning and problem-solving process concerning the health, safety, and vitality of our communities. Our high school-age participants will not only receive a valuable education on smart-growth principles, the community planning process, and other conference issues; they will have a place at the "planning table" to help determine the design and quality of life in the places they live. Just as important, the side-by-side participation of these youth leaders will provide adult participants with the valuable perspective from a sector of the community that is often overlooked in the planning process. Youth leaders will also serve as presenters in many conference sessions, sharing their unique perspectives, experience, enthusiasm, and commitment to make a difference in the world.

Optional Pre and Postconference Tours
Each tour carries an additional nominal charge to cover transportation and refreshments. Space for each tour is limited and preregistration is required!

Tour 1: Old New Orleans by Bicycle Thursday, January 30, 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Sunday, February 2, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.--tour canceled Tour Fee: $65.00	Tour 2: American Can Company Thursday, January 30, 8:30 a.m.–noon Tour Fee: $25.00
Tour 3: Suburban Park Planning Thursday, January 30, 12:30–4:45 p.m. Tour Fee: $25.00--tour canceled	Tour 4: Lafayette Square Thursday, January 30, 1:00–3:30 p.m. Tour Fee: $25.00
Tour 5: Revitalizing Canal Street Thursday, January 30, 1:00–4:30 p.m. Tour Fee: $25.00	Tour 6: Strollin’ on the River Sunday, February 2, 9:00 a.m.–noon Tour Fee: $25.00
Tour 7: Redevelopment and Revitalization in 19th Century Neighborhoods 19th Century Neighborhoods Sunday, February 2, 9:00 a.m.–noon Tour Fee: $25.00	Tour 8: The City Parks Forum Sunday, February 2, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Tour Fee: $35.00--tour canceled
Tour 9: Preserving the Past while Protecting the Future Sunday, February 2, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Tour Fee: $25.00

Optional Preconference Sessions
Optional preconference sessions will be held the morning and afternoon of Thursday, January 30. There is no additional charge for these sessions and they will be open to all participants.

Preconference session topics currently being considered include:

• Smart Growth, Cajun Style: Local Challenges and Success Stories
• Smart Growth Planning 101: Making the Multidisciplinary Connection
• Smart Growth Planning for Local Elected Officials

We are currently in the process of developing these and other optional preconference sessions. More information on each will be posted in the next several weeks. Please mark your calendar to check back for more details.

“The way we design our communities can make all the difference in promoting, or discouraging, the active living that will shape their health profiles.”     —J. Michael McGinnis, M.D., Senior Vice President and Director, Health Group, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Special Hosted Kick-Off Networking Reception
The conference starts Thursday evening, January 30, with an opening keynote session. In keeping with the conference theme of collaboration, a hosted kick-off networking reception will immediately follow the session.

This social event is designed to get our multidisciplinary audience talking and networking with each other early in the conference, and will inspire and motivate them to get the most from the next two days filled with dynamic speakers, interactive sessions, implementation tools, successful case studies, and motivating stories of successful collaboration.

Other Conference Features

• networking opportunities
• continental breakfasts and lunches on Friday and Saturday
• a participant packet full of useful resource materials
• displays
• and much more!

“It is easy to talk about smart growth and environmental conservation when things are going well, but the world has changed a lot in the past year. Even though our smart-growth initiatives are proven winners, we must be particularly diligent in these times to ensure that our efforts to improve our communities continue to flourish.”     —Margaret Davidson, Acting Director, National Ocean Service, NOAA