Why You Should Attend

Environmental Justice Advocate

Creating a livable and prosperous community is only half of the battle, it is also important to make sure that everyone in a community is healthy and protected from environmental and health hazards. This year’s conference will feature some of the top environmental justice activists who will showcase how communities can promote healthy environments, in which all segments of the population can live, work, play and learn. Sessions will discuss how to:

  • Incorporate environmental justice and equitable development into the smart growth movement
  • Create highly effective, powerful coalitions and partnerships to promote environmental justice
  • Achieve healthy, equitable, and walkable neighborhoods and schools
  • Plan communities that are free of environmental and health hazards
  • Transform cities from ground zero to a model healthy city
  • Plan for improvements without displacement
  • Ensure health, justice and equity in highway, freight and infrastructure development
  • Successfully and sustainably redevelop brownfields
  • Measure smart growth performance
  • Develop healthy metropolitan food systems
  • Incorporate youth in sustainable brownfield redevelopment
  • Use smart growth techniques to protect water quality

From the articulation of fundamental principles of smart growth, to the expanding conversation about just and equitable development, this conference has served as a critical space for this essential dialogue. The New Partners for Smart Growth Conference has created a platform within the broader environmental and community development spheres to connect the dots for those working to build more livable, sustainable and equitable communities.

 —Vernice Miller-Travis, Vice Chair, Maryland Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities