February 2-4, 2017 • St. Louis, Missouri

Sessions by Track

Home Sessions by Track

Tracks

Communications and Engagement
Community Resiliency & Energy Independence
Equitable Development and Environmental Justice
Financing, Real Estate and Development
Health
Implementing Smart Growth
Land Preservation
The New Economy, Market Trends and Demographics
Partnerships for Success
Planning Tools and Technologies
Redevelopment
Small Cities and Rural Areas
Transportation, TOD, and Streets
Water and Coastal Areas

Go To Full Schedule

Thursday
8 AM - 9:30 AM	Conference Registration/Morning Coffee Optional Smart Growth 101 Session Smart Growth 101 Location: Landmark 2 Level: Beginner Accredited by:CM 1.5 Speakers Paul Zykofsky, Associate Director, Local Government Commission Presentations → This session is geared towards first-time attendees to the conference or for participants who are new to the practice of implementing smart-growth solutions. The session will cover general topics, such as the ten principles of smart growth, the basics of planning and zoning for smart growth, and how smart growth is being implemented at the local level. The session will provide a good working background for a multi-disciplinary audience on smart growth and prepare participants for more in-depth sessions during the conference. close
10 AM - 11:50 AM	Kickoff Plenary Housing Solutions: Accessing the American Dream Location: Majestic Ballroom Accredited by:CM 1.75PDH 1.75 Speakers Kate Meis, Executive Director, Local Government Commission Pam O\'Connor, Councilmember, City of Santa Monica; Board Chair, Local Government Commission John Thomas, Associate Office Director, Office of Sustainable Communities, U.S. EPA Lewis E. Reed, President, Board of Aldermen, City of St. Louis, MO Lisa Sturtevant, President, Lisa Sturtevant & Associates, LLC Meea Kang, Founding Partner, Domus Development Presentations → Cities across America are facing a wide range of intricate challenges centered around housing – from affordability across the income spectrum and persistent homelessness to debilitating blight and lingering effects of the housing market crash of 2008. The availability of affordable housing isn’t keeping up with demand. Not one county anywhere in the nation can fill all of its low-income population’s need for safe, affordable housing – almost 3 in 4 (72%) extremely low-income households lacks adequate and affordable housing options. Middle-class families are also affected through an interwoven combination of increasing demand for and limited supply of both homes for sale and apartments for rent. We must act decisively and dramatically now to create more housing and a broader mix of housing options for all income levels to sustain the social and economic fabric of our communities. Nationwide, housing demand could average 1.6 million units a year over the coming decade – almost three times the average rate over the previous 15 years. The speakers will discuss innovative way to increase our housing supply – from eliminating regulatory barriers for accessory dwelling units and financing affordable housing to eliminating blight and addressing the “missing middle.” close
11:50 AM - 12 PM	Presentation of the Scenario Planning Applications Network’s Innovation Awards
12 PM - 1:30 PM	Lunch Break - Participants on their Own
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM	Afternoon Concurrent Optional Tours of Local Model Projects
1:30 PM - 2:45 PM	Concurrent Afternoon Breakouts Growing Grassroots “Good Growth” Group Location: Landmark 1 Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25 Moderator Jeremy Madsen, CEO, Greenbelt Alliance Speakers Susan Somers, President, Board of Directors, AURA Will Toor, Steering Committee Member, Better Boulder Greg Magofña, Founding Member, East Bay Forward Presentations → We‘ve all seen proposals for high-quality smart growth projects, policies and plans downsized, delayed or defeated by a small group of well-organized detractors. Local elected officials who make decisions to approve or deny development projects, policies and plans are responsive to residents of their community. If elected officials see more constituents supporting smart growth, they will be more likely to approve good proposals. Recent years have seen a rise of grassroots “good growth” groups in communities across the country. This session will explore this phenomenon and the impact it is having on the smart-growth movement. How are these groups forming? Who are their members? How do they determine shared goals? How do equity considerations factor into their work? What’s working well and what remains challenging? What are the pros and cons of different models? How are they having an impact in their communities? Takeaways Participants will learn about different models for forming and supporting grassroots “good growth” groups. Participants will hear about what is working well for grassroots “good growth” groups and what challenges such groups face. Participants will find out how grassroots “good growth” groups are impacting smart-growth decisions in their communities. close Equitable Development 101: Social Equity by Design Location: Landmark 6 Level: Beginner Accredited by:CM 1.25PDH/HSW 1.25 Moderator Carlton Eley, Environmental Protection Specialist, Office of Environmental Justice, U.S. EPA Presentations → Social responsibility versus economic imperative is a false choice. As jurisdictions across the nation take steps to advance sustainable community initiatives, they have an opportunity to demonstrate that the objectives of economic development, environmental protection and meeting the needs of underserved populations are not mutually exclusive. This discussion will elevate the impressive narrative of champions who are building great communities through the framework of equitable development. In the U.S., equitable development is an approach to meet the needs of underserved communities through policies, programs and practices that reduce disparities while fostering places that are healthy and vibrant. Equitable development does not shift attention from making communities better. Instead, it results in better community outcomes. This is an introductory session where you will learn how stewards of the built environment are encouraging fairness in planning and development practice by addressing quality-of-life goals while supporting community parity. Takeaways Participants will learn about bold and innovative models for inclusive and sustainable community building. Participants will learn about tools and strategies for incorporating equitable development into plans and public policy. Participants will understand that equitable development is sustainable development. close Leveraging Hospital Resources to Invest in Healthy, Sustainable Communities Location: Landmark 3 Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25 Moderator Carol Kawecki, Vice President and Senior Program Manager, Healthy Housing Solutions, Inc. Speakers Julia Resnick, Senior Program Manager, Association for Community Health Improvement, American Hospital Association Margo Quiriconi, Director, Community Health Initiatives, Children‘s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics Noreen Beatley, Senior Project Manager, Healthy Housing Solutions, Inc. Presentations → Under the Affordable Care Act, non-profit hospitals are required to conduct community health needs assessments (CHNAs) to determine how to support the communities where they work. Community-building strategies outlined in their community benefit plans allow hospitals to target resources to activities ranging from physical improvements and housing to economic development and environmental actions. Aligning smart-growth indicators such as neighborhood walkability, access to healthy food, transportation and quality, affordable housing with indicators of adverse health outcomes such as asthma, lead poisoning and obesity can identify hotspots in vulnerable communities and populations. Come learn about some of the best CHNA and community-benefit practices and strategies to leverage scarce resources. The panelists will address what social, economic, and environmental indicators are key to a comprehensive CHNA; how public health and community stakeholders can effectively work together to leverage expenditures; and how well-implemented community-benefit plans can improve health outcomes. Takeaways How to determine the best social, environmental and economic indicators to use for an effective community needs assessment. How to identify community benefits to accomplish specific community health and sustainability goals. How not-for-profit hospitals can effectively engage community residents, planners and elected officials in the community assessment and benefits process. close Strategies for Designing without Displacement Location: Majestic A Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25PDH/HSW 1.25 Moderator Dwane Jones, Ph.D., Director, Center for Sustainable Development, University of the District of Columbia Speakers Winifred Curran, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Geography, DePaul University Kathleen King, Landscape Designer, Design Workshop, Inc. Dan Pitera, Executive Director, Detroit Collaborative Design Center; Professor, School of Architecture, University of Detroit Mercy Presentations → The debate roars on in cities across the country: is the work of community planners, including landscape architects, architects and planners, in urban communities “revitalization” or “gentrification?” Several U.S. cities like Detroit, Portland and Washington, DC, are making enormous investments in urban renewal, including providing more green space, complete streets and commercial development. Such design improvements are often accompanied by an influx of middle-class or affluent individuals who often displace current, low-income residents. Landscape architects and other design professionals are faced with the dilemma of how to enhance the public realm in low-income communities without spurring the elements of gentrification or displacement. The panelists will explore several strategies to be considered when revitalizing communities, including fostering relationships with community members, designing projects to yield multiple benefits, and establishing neighborhood home bases (storefronts) in communities for resident engagement. Takeaways Understand the causes of gentrification and the current arguments for and against gentrification. Understand the potential role of design professionals and urban planners in gentrification and displacement, and the ethical questions it raises. Learn about key strategies to limit and/or slow project impacts on community socioeconomic and/or race/ethnic status. close Improving Food Equity in Three Innovative Communities in the U.S. Location: Landmark 2 Level: Beginner Accredited by:CM 1.25PDH/HSW 1.25 Moderator Julia Freedgood, Assistant Vice President of Programs, American Farmland Trust Speakers Jorge Castillo, Community Development Planner, Community Development, Dona Ana County, NM Susan Whitfield, Director of Operations, No More Empty Pots Paul Forgey, Director of Planning, Development and Code Enforcement, Albany-Dougherty County, GA Presentations → All across the country, local officials and planners, farmers and ranchers, food-insecure residents and civic organizations are coming together to strengthen their food systems. Come learn from three diverse “communities of opportunity” who are growing food connections and bridging the gap between food production and food security through policy and planning. What are they doing to develop comprehensive and other kinds of plans to keep farmland in farming and create healthy and resilient food systems? What does it take to enact local policies to support agricultural viability, improve access to healthy food and stimulate local economies? What principles and practices have they found most effective? This session will feature motivating stories from three urban and rural communities who have fostered food-system change in Nebraska, New Mexico and Georgia. Takeaways Participants will learn about successful approaches for using tried and true tools in innovative ways to address emerging planning challenges. Participants will gain a better understanding of how food-equity principles can be integrated into planning processes. Participants will learn about diverse strategies for using local-government resources to engage food-system planning change. close Missing Middle Housing: A New Tool to Address Your Housing Challenges Location: Majestic B Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25 Moderator Daniel Parolek, Principal and Owner, Opticos Design Speakers Chris Nelson, Ph.D., Professor of Planning and Real Estate Development; Professor of Geography and Development, University of Arizona Presentations → Almost every city across the country is dealing with housing challenges that broadly range from incompatible infill, ineffective zoning/regulatory barriers, vacant buildings and, last but not least, affordability at various levels. As the demand shifts for walkable neighborhoods and housing closer to transportation options and household demographics shift, many of these problems have been exacerbated. One important tool in any city’s or towns toolbox is accommodating and removing barrier for missing middle housing. Missing middle housing is medium-density, but still house-scale, buildings that have multiple units in them such as duplexes, fourplexes and bungalow courts. This session will explore what missing middle housing is, why it is important for cities to integrate these types into their housing strategies and economic development toolboxes, and how growing cities like Austin are using them to provide affordable housing options and more economically challenged cities such as Detroit are using city-sponsored programs to renovate existing missing-middle types to revitalize neighborhoods. Takeaways Develop and understanding of what missing middle is and how to create plans, policies, and zoning changes to promote it. Gain an understanding of the market demand and shifting household demographic shifts that reinforce the importance of the application of this concept in every community across the country. Discuss and learn from examples of how cities are using the concept to revitalize neighborhoods, where this is being built, and how the concept is being used to reframe the housing conversation. close Scaling Solutions: Unleashing Innovation by Partnering with Philanthropy Location: Majestic F Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25PDH 1.25 Moderator Diana Williams, Diana Williams and Associates; Consultant, Funders Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities Speakers Bob Dean, Deputy Executive Director, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning Michael Davidson, Senior Program Officer, Sustainable Development, The Chicago Community Trust Bethany Wilcoxon, Capital Crossroads Director, Greater Des Moines Partnership, Des Moines, IA Matt Hennessy, Presidential Management Fellow, Office of International and Philanthropic Innovation, U.S. HUD Presentations → Ever wonder how your community could be more successful in engaging philanthropies? What can an alliance between public, private, philanthropic and nonprofit sectors bring to your community? In this session, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development lays out a formula that has worked for several of its Sustainable Communities program grantees for teaming up with foundations to promote shared community-development goals. Told through the eyes of philanthropy, the community and the federal government, this session and companion report demystifies the complex and dynamic topic of cross-sectorial communication and partnering, and provides tested strategies for forming alliances that build on competitive strengths. Participants will learn from foundations and community leaders about why these partnerships make sense, how they were initiated, and what they have accomplished. Learn about community successes in forming partnerships with philanthropies that spur innovation and advance equitable and sustainable community development. Takeaways Participants will be able to explain three different roles that, in addition to grant-making, philanthropy could play in community development. Participants will be able to cite urban and rural examples where philanthropy has made a significant contribution. Participants will be able to employ new strategies for approaching and engaging philanthropy in their initiatives. close Seeing Trees Differently: Strategies, Tools, & Technology for Greening Infrastructure Location: Landmark 7 Level: Advanced Accredited by:CM 1.25PDH/HSW 1.25 Moderator Phillip Rodbell, Program Leader, Urban and Community Forestry, U.S. Forest Service Speakers Tom Jacobs, Director, Environmental Programs, Mid-America Regional Council Travis Miller, Regional Planning Manager, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments Laura Brenner Kimes, Co-Founder and Director of Ecosystems Services, Fresh Coast Services David Rutter, Senior Environmental Planner, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments Presentations → Integrating trees into our communities is proving to be a powerful smart-growth strategy as new perspectives and innovative solutions emerge nationwide. The value of trees goes beyond their aesthetic appeal and even their air-quality and energy-saving benefits. This session provides implementation techniques being used that are not only enhancing and maintaining vibrant urban-forestry assets that benefit community economics, but are also unleashing new and innovative approaches for realizing the full capacity of trees as a component of our communities‘ infrastructure systems and improving regional resiliency. Get a preview of a new tool for local decision-makers being developed by the U.S. Forest Service – “Integrating Trees into Stormwater Management Design and Policy” and learn how urban forestry is being integrated with climate resilience, watershed and green infrastructure initiatives at both the regional and local scales by leveraging strong data, ecosystem service valuation and powerful community partnerships. Takeaways Learn how to apply the new “Integrating Trees into Stormwater Management Design and Policy” tool to your community‘s initiatives. Learn innovative methods for capitalizing on your community‘s green assets, including vacant land management and soil pollutant mitigation. Gain new perspectives of your community‘s and your region‘s tree canopy value and potential as an infrastructure component. close A Tale of Two Land Banks Location: Landmark 5 Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25PDH 1.25 Moderator David Doyle, Sustainable Communities Coordinator, Region 7, U.S. EPA Speakers Zakcq Lockrem, Principal, Asakura Robinson Laura Costello, Director of Real Estate, St. Louis Development Corporation Alexandra Miller, Principal, Asakura Robinson Ted Anderson, Executive Director, Kansas City Missouri Land Bank Presentations → In 1971, the St. Louis, Missouri Land Reutilization Authority (LRA) established the first land bank in the country, ushering in the era of using land banks as a means to manage vacant properties. As the city‘s population shrank from its high of 850,000 in 1950, the LRA has now amassed a total of more than 11,000 tax-delinquent properties, more than any other comparably sized city. Newer land banks have been pioneering best practices for bringing vacant and abandoned properties back into productive use. One of these newer land banks was established in Kansas City, MO, in 2013, and has been partnering with the St. Louis LRA to upgrade its program. Participants will learn about practices involving coordinating disposition of properties with local investments to stimulate the market, leveraging new financing tools for incremental redevelopment, and encouraging alternative land uses that help create value and improve the quality of life. Takeaways Participants will understand how to coordinate vacancy reduction strategies with the local real estate market. Participants will learn how to support small-scale redevelopment that allows residents to participate in their community‘s revitalization efforts. Participants will understand how to streamline policies and administrative structures to encourage and facilitate a variety of vacant land reuses. close Smaller Cities: Emerging Leaders Forging the Way to Competitive Places Location: Majestic G Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25 Moderator Terry Benelli, Executive Director, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Phoenix, AZ Speakers Jamiel Robinson, Founder and CEO, Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses Tiffanie Robinson, President, Lamp Post Properties Ryan Winkle, Councilmember, City of Mesa, AZ Presentations → Small and median-sized communities often struggle with post-recession revitalization far more than many large older cities. The restoration trajectory has been slower in realizing vibrant, economically competitive places. Young, emerging leadership, however, is blazing new trails of innovation in smaller cities across the Midwest, Northeast and South. Join this panel to learn about a new generation of leadership that is tackling issues as diverse as transportation, housing, economic resilience and poverty. Learn about interventions that work, the recipes for success and lessons that are applicable to other smaller places we call home. Takeaways Latest thinking on how smaller cities can build resonate, stronger economies for the long haul. Lessons on municipal leadership from millennials and other emerging stakeholders. Best practices that can translate to smaller communities. close Integrating Fair and Affordable Housing into TODs: Partnerships, Design, Access Location: Majestic H Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25PDH 1.25 Moderator Lisa Cagle, Program Director, Citizens for Modern Transit Speakers Antonio Bermudez, Vice President, McCormack Baron Salazar Jessica Mefford-Miller, Chief of Planning and System Development, Bi-State Development, Metro Will Jordan, Executive Director, Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing Opportunity Council Presentations → Explore how cities, transit agencies, civic leaders and non-profits play a critical role in public-private-community partnerships. Delve into how the public sector can help for- and non-profit practitioners implement good station-area design, and how, without their help and leadership, these huge investments in transit don‘t reach full economic impact. The discussion will be organized around three themes and three case studies, looking at TOD past, present and future at Parsons Place in East St. Louis, MacArthur Park in Los Angeles, and Rock Road in St. Louis County. The themes will cover: fair and affordable housing and TOD – how to develop with an orientation toward transit and equitable access to housing, transportation, and opportunity; partners – what partners need to be involved to make public-private-community partnerships for TOD work best and for the benefit of the community it is planned in; and design – how to get the best/smartest designs and implementation, even given financial constraints. Takeaways Design: How to get best TOD designs, even given financial constraints (focus on zero cost improvements to designs). Partners: What partners need to be involved to make public-private-community partnerships for TOD work. Access: Provide three concrete examples of fair and affordable-housing TOD, with evaluations of design/implementation on each. close
2:45 PM - 3:15 PM	Networking Break
3:15 PM - 5:15 PM	Concurrent Implementation Workshops Successful Approaches to Resiliency: Planning Capacity Building and Other Useful Tools Location: Landmark 7 Level: Advanced Accredited by:CM 2.0PDH/HSW 2.0 Moderator Laura Clemons, Resiliency Specialist and Founder, Collaborative Communities Speakers Prisca Weems, Coastal and Urban Resilience Coordinator, Greater New Orleans Funders Network Antwi Akom, Executive Director, Institute for Sustainable Economic, Educational and Environmental Design Presentations → Millions are spent each year in the U.S. on disaster recovery – and billions on mitigating the impacts of climate change. Disasters are exacerbating our existing community stresses like poor land-use planning, lack of access to adequate transportation options, rapidly disappearing affordable housing, food deserts and a general failure to create places with strong social cohesion. This session will look case studies from communities that vary in size, demographics and hazard risks to demonstrate how communities like yours are pivoting from devastating disasters to neighborhood-driven revitalization. We will share tools and resources that are allowing a top-down/bottom-up approach that uses smart-growth principles to strengthen social fabric while leveraging diverse resources to create safer, more connected places. This session will allow you to listen to case studies and then work through your own facilitated resilience-building activity. This working session will bring new resources to newcomers and veteran practitioners alike. Takeaways Participants will receive hands-on experience learning what resilience looks likes in practice. Participants will identify at least one way that an existing project can be modified to create measurable, leveragable co-benefits. Participants will learn about individuals working in this arena that can be reached for advice. close Communities as Coaches: Devising Game Plans for Equity and Resilience Location: Majestic A Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 2.0 Moderator Sarita Turner, Associate Director of the Policy Center for Infrastructure Equity, PolicyLink Speakers Carolyn Szczepanski, Director of Research and Communications, Minnesota Housing Partnership Jason Reece, Senior Associate Director, Kiran Institute Dan Pontious, Housing Policy Coordinator, Baltimore Metropolitan Council Steve Steinhoff, Deputy Director, Capital Area Regional Planning Commission Patricia Fron, Executive Director, Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance Presentations → There is no clear solution for the striking social and economic disparities that exist in many parts of the U.S. – the result of complicated histories and modern forces. This workshop will help communities to unravel the knot of inequality by getting to the root causes and learning field-tested strategies for addressing disparities from communities that have employed these techniques in groundbreaking fair housing and equity assessments. Local leaders from rural and urban communities will share the techniques they used to dismantle barriers to fair housing, combat segregation and concentrations of poverty, evaluate public policies with an equity lens, and expand employment opportunities during an interactive workshop. Participants can ask local practitioners about the challenges they encountered, the solutions they devised, and the results they are seeing on the ground, and talk to national experts about how they might tailor these tools to conditions or issues in their own community. Takeaways Participants will learn how policy and investment strategies can affect access to opportunity and reduce or exacerbate disparities. Participants will learn field-tested strategies for addressing disparities and reducing barriers to opportunity from communities that have employed these techniques. Participants will evaluate potential challenges and opportunities for applying these equity approaches in their communities with practitioners and capacity-builders. close Walking the Inclusionary-Zoning Tightrope Location: Majestic B Level: Advanced Accredited by:CM 2.0PDH 2.0 Moderator Sasha Hauswald, State and Local Policy Director, Grounded Solutions Network Ian Carlton, Project Director, ECONorthwest; Co-Founder, MapCraft.io Speakers Andreanecia Morris, Executive Director, HousingNOLA Libby Seifel, Principal, Seifel Consulting, Inc. Presentations → Come discuss how to design an effective inclusionary-zoning policy with four experts who spend their days thinking about the tightrope of delivering market rate and affordable housing simultaneously. U.S. cities have officially made a comeback, and urbanists are rejoicing. But tensions are surfacing as housing affordability and neighborhood change strain communities. Policymakers are considering inclusionary-zoning policies as a means of creating new affordable housing in desirable neighborhoods. Yet, because inclusionary zoning relies on market-rate housing development to bear the cost of affordable-housing units, the cross subsidy can preclude development from occurring. Speakers with a breadth of experience – from strong tech-driven regions to recovering Rust-Belt metros – will share inclusionary-zoning policy strategies that they‘ve encountered to foster affordable housing provision while nurturing smart-growth development patterns. Participants will leave with an understanding of the factors policymakers should consider when drafting effective inclusionary-zoning policies. Takeaways Participants will be able to discuss how inclusionary housing is being implemented in weak, transitioning and strong housing markets. Participants will learn why various incentives have been used to offset inclusionary-zoning impacts. Participants will leave with a better understanding of the factors that should be considered when drafting effective inclusionary-zoning policies. close Intended and Unintended Consequences of Growth in Cities: Displacement and Neighborhood Change Research and Practice Location: Majestic F Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 2.0PDH/HSW 2.0 Moderator Julia Seward, Principal, Julia Seward Consulting Speakers Kathy Pettit, Senior Research Associate, Urban Institute Tom Woiwode, Director, Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan Michael Grover, Assistant Vice President, Community Development, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Erica Raleigh, Executive Director, Data Driven Detroit Presentations → As cities jumpstart strategies to restore sustainable, vibrant urban cores, solutions affect both millennial dwellers and residents that have inhabited urban neighborhoods through turbulent disinvestment. Planners, local officials and community leaders confront strategic crossroads for how to restore economies while ensuring inclusive, equitable growth. Join this workshop for an in-depth look at evolving patterns of displacement since the Great Recession and how data can drive local interventions that restore communities. Drawing on current research and practice in cities like Detroit, cross-sector panelists lead an informative interactive exploration, including Turning the Corner, a neighborhood displacement research project of The Funders Network, Federal Reserve Banks, The Urban Institute and philanthropy. Takeaways Understanding of new ways to think about displacement in the context of urban smart-growth strategies. Insight and techniques for newest research techniques to build and use displacement research. Take away information about “Turning the Corner” and city leaders who are leading current initiatives. close Leveraging Resources: How to Fund Community Revitalization Projects Location: Majestic G Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 2.0PDH/HSW 2.0 Moderator Patricia Overmeyer, Land Revitalization Coordinator, Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization, U.S. EPA Speakers Olivia Hough, Senior Planner and Brownfields Coordinator, City of Springfield, MO Maurice Jones, Economic Development Director, City of Dubuque, IA Matt Ward, CEO, Sustainable Strategies DC Presentations → Brownfields, abandoned properties, and blight affect communities across America. Cleanup efforts can be expensive and complicated; design and engineering can be daunting; and redevelopment costs may be prohibitive, especially in distressed or small communities facing limited reuse potential. Communities routinely struggle to attract sufficient funding for community revitalization projects. To assist communities in meeting these challenges, the U.S. EPA recently developed and released a guide to leveraging resources for revitalization. This session will guide participants through the steps that a locality can take to leverage resources for brownfields and community revitalization. The session will include concrete strategies from EPA‘s Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization and local officials experienced in addressing these challenges already. Breakout groups will focus on the more difficult aspects, while the speakers will engage with participants on their local challenges. Participants will learn how to apply specific leveraging strategies in their communities. Takeaways Participants will be able to identify the key steps to effectively leveraging resources for brownfields revitalization and community redevelopment. Participants will learn how to apply and coordinate particular tools and strategies for leveraging resources for brownfields revitalization. Participants will learn how other localities specifically worked through these steps to successfully harness resources and transform their communities. close Leveraging Social Capital to Increase Social Equity, Sustainability and Resiliency Location: Landmark 2 Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 2.0PDH/HSW 2.0 Moderator Michael Hancox, CEO, Skeo Solutions Speakers Vernice Miller-Travis, Senior Advisor for Environmental Justice and Equitable Development, Skeo Solutions Presentations → This session is designed for the experienced practitioner to conduct a self-assessment and identify strategies to deepen the planning process to achieve more equitable, sustainable and resilient outcomes. Working in a peer-to peer exchange, participants will form groups based on self-selected focus areas (housing, transportation, health, safety) to work collaboratively through a series of exercises. First, participants will be invited to explore their own planning process through the lens of the seven forms of capital, and discover which additional forms of capital they can leverage to create a ripple effect of desired outcomes. Next, participants will explore a range of community assessment tools (ICLEI, SCI, PolicyLink, etc.), and together identify an assessment approach that will build the most robust foundation for equitable, sustainable and resilient outcomes. For the third activity, participants will intermix the groups to explore connections between two or more focus areas (transportation and health). As the last step, participants will walk through a structured assessment of their community engagement approach to identify gaps and opportunities to increase social capital and more effective outcomes. Participants will take back to their workplace a new lens to apply to their work, a set of assessment tools for increasing social equity, sustainability and resiliency, strategies to foster meaningful community engagement, and a peer group working on a similar focus area for future exchange. Takeaways Participants will understand how applying the seven forms of capital can multiply planning outcomes. Participants will select from a range of tools to assess equity, sustainability and resiliency. Participants will assess gaps and opportunities in your community engagement approach. close A Barn-Raising Approach to Community Wealth: Community Heart and Soul Location: Landmark 1 Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 2.0 Moderator Alece Montez-Griego, Director of Programs, Orton Family Foundation Speakers R. Mimi Iijima, Director of Programs and Special Projects, Pennsylvania Humanities Council Chris King, Community Organizer, Galesburg, IL Jane Lafleur, Senior Consultant, Lift360 Presentations → Using the fun, inspiring and entertaining PechaKucha format of 20 slides-20 seconds each, presenters from communities around the country describe the transformational results of the Community Heart and Soul process. Heart and Soul enhances the competitive strength of communities and creates resiliency and wealth. This innovative process identifies what matters most to your community so you can carry out programs, policies and investments with confidence that they are the right ones for your community. Data on new jobs, businesses, vacancy rates and new people running for office will demonstrate the convincing and transforming qualities of this approach. Takeaways Participants will learn how Community Heart and Soul engages all voices to discover what matters most to residents. Participants will learn tangible results from Heart and Soul, and how it positively changes community wealth and prosperity. Participants will learn of the support network from champions and coaches to begin their own Community Heart and Soul. close How We Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Open Data Location: Landmark 3 Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 2.0 Moderator Drew Zachary, Social Science Analyst, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Speakers Stephen Hardy, CEO, mySidewalk Jack Morgan, Program Manager, National Association of Counties John Thomas, Director, Community Assistance and Research Division, U.S. EPA, Office of Sustainable Communities John Cruz, Data Management Coordinator, Rise; Civic Tech and Data Collaborative Nehemiah Dacres, Brigade Leader, Open Data STL Chris Proctor, Community Development Specialist, USDA Rural Development Emily Eisenhauer, AAAS Fellow, U.S. EPA Presentations → More and more federal, state, and local government agencies across the country are releasing data on their investments, policies, programs, and impacts to the public. At the same time, the civic tech and open data communities are increasingly seeking to partner with communities to make data not just publicly available, but also easily accessible, and put to use by members of the public. In this session, a diverse panel from tech, government, and community organizations will share the stories of how they have successfully released data to the public, created new data tools, or used open data to advance their missions. Speakers will share lessons learned, approaches to communicating the benefits of data, and tips for seeing data as an asset and a critical part of everyday work in your organization. The panel will provide specific concrete examples of ways that they have used data, and specific tools, datasets, and approaches that can participants can try in their own organizations. We hope everyone will walk away more comfortable with data and excited about working with data available to them! This session will also aim to provide a forum for dialog between tech, government and communities about what government agencies can do to better steward data and support data utilization, analytics and transparency. Takeaways Participants will be able to define “open data” and articulate its benefits to government agencies, stakeholders, and the public. Participants will understand potential solutions to common pitfalls and barriers to the success of open data initiatives at public agencies. Participants will come away with three actions they can take immediately to increase public access to their organizations‘ data. close Rural Roundtable: Applying Smart-Growth Principles to Rural Design Location: Landmark 5 Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 2.0PDH/HSW 2.0 Moderator Lee Steinmetz, Transportation Planner, County of Kaua‘I, HI Speakers Bev Brody, Director, Get Fit Kaua‘I Michael Dahilig, Director, County of Kaua‘I Planning Department, HI Mary Cronin, Managing Director, Smith Dawson & Andrews Presentations → Rural places encounter resistance from residents and elected officials who fear that smart growth and complete streets threaten the essence of their community. How do rural communities apply smart growth and complete streets to their unique needs? The County of Kaua‘i has developed a robust complete-streets program through strong partnerships, leadership and technical assistance. The results include adoption of form based code, several complete streets projects, and a transformative $13.8 million TIGER grant. Much of what Kaua‘i has learned is applicable to other rural places. The Kaua‘i experience will be used as a means for participants to evaluate their own complete-streets program. Challenges and questions from participants will be discussed with an emphasis on finding solutions. Topics will include coalition-building/advocacy, equity in the rural context, technical assistance, policymaking, community planning, design/implementation and funding. Participants will determine their own next steps for success. Takeaways Participants will learn how to “read their own reality” of their complete-streets/smart-growth program. Participants will learn specific implementation steps to advance their program. Participants will develop their own next steps to advance their complete-streets/smart-growth program. close Collaboration for Community Health through Street Design Location: Landmark 6 Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 2.0PDH/HSW 2.0 Moderator Grace Kyung, Bicycle and Pedestrian Planner, Trailnet Speakers Taylor March, Education and Encouragement Manager, Trailnet Elizabeth Hartig, Project Coordinator, Plan4Health Tina Hardin, Community Resident, JeffVanderLou Neighborhood, St. Louis, MO Deanna Venker, Commissioner of Traffic, City of St. Louis, MO Shane Cohn, Alderman, Ward 25, City of St. Louis, MO Presentations → St. Louis is a designated Focus City by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the high number of pedestrian and bicycle deaths. Trailnet is changing the discussion around street design by using pop-up traffic-calming demonstrations and focusing on a calm-streets approach to promote safer street designs. Hear from Trailnet staff, local community members, city staff and national partners on why it is important to change the discussion on street design standards through a cross-sector collaborative approach to build healthier, more vibrant communities. The panelists will lead an interactive session focusing on key topics that influence change in a city. Participants will leave the session with a greater understanding of how to engage community and city stakeholders to develop a collective vision for community-driven solutions. Takeaways Participants will become empowered to think creatively about solutions to large, complex and expensive problems. Participants will learn how to create pop-up traffic-calming demonstrations and establish momentum in the community. Participants will learn best practices for meaningful community engagement through the use of geographically targeted outreach and resident Community Liaisons. close Innovative Development of Public Right-of-Ways for a Sustainable Future Location: Majestic H Level: Advanced Accredited by:CM 2.0PDH/HSW 2.0 Moderator Linette Straus, Professional Practice Manager, American Society of Landscape Architects Speakers Steven Spears, Principal, Design Workshop Kevin Robert Perry, Principal, Urban Rain Design Shaun O‘Rourke, Green Infrastructure Director, The Trust for Public Land Presentations → Examine the broad impact that resilient landscape design can have on local and regional communities as well as on the environment. Effective design in the public right-of-way helps mitigate stormwater and prevent pollution from entering local waterways, increase biodiversity, create community experiences, mitigate climate change, and create jobs. Stormwater solutions and alternatives, green-infrastructure typologies, wildlife and pollinator corridors, social nodes on city streets, green alleys and the creation of green-infrastructure maintenance jobs within the urban context will be discussed and reviewed with examples of current and future projects. A design process that moves beyond the one-size-fits-all approach will be presented, applying green-infrastructure typologies and planting palettes using tools and references that can help better evaluate and analyze the potential for such designs in your communities and inspire creativity for comprehensive urban and suburban design innovations. Takeaways Participants will experience the steps needed to take action in order to apply resilient landscape design to their own cities or projects. Participants will understand how public-private partnerships can be leveraged in creative ways. Learn about meaningful techniques to engage the public in the planning and design process while educating them on environmental, economic, community and artistic benefits of green infrastructure and complete streets. close
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM	Hosted Networking Reception
6:30 PM	Dinner - Participants are on their Own
Friday
7:15 AM - 8:45 AM	Conference Registration / Breakfast Networking Activities How Can We Continue to Advance Equitable-Development Strategies to Support Inclusive Communities? Location: Majestic G For the past eight years, the New Partners Conference has fostered a robust discussion about the need for inclusive, environmentally smart, equitable-development policies and practices. Join us at this morning session to talk about effective ways to continue to advance innovative efforts in housing, sustainable development and land use, environmental protections, transportation, fair housing and community resilience that are helping to build stronger, healthier and more inclusive communities across the country. We will be joined by leading practitioners in the field to kick-start our conversation. close Smart Growth in Rural Communities and Small Towns: Making the Rural-Urban Connection Location: Majestic F Smart Growth is happening all across the country – from rural communities and small towns to big cities and suburban areas. Do you already work on smart-growth issues in a rural region or small town, and want to know what others are doing? Are you an urban dweller interested in rural towns near your city and the role rural places play in your urban economy? Do you want to learn more about how to forge meaningful partnerships between rural communities and urban areas? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, then this networking session is for you! The session will include small group discussions on economic diversification, demographic change, rural-urban connections, and more, and will build on the themes discussed during the conference. Please join us to contribute and learn from these rich conversations, and to connect with others who care about smart growth in small towns and rural communities. close Sustainability Goes Digital: Real-time Data to Save Energy, Money and the Environment Location: Majestic A Big data has transformed tech companies, but these emerging technologies are just beginning to address energy and utility management for local governments and many other businesses. Come find out how the Internet of Thins and cloud-based energy/sustainability management can give you a better real-time command of your energy use, allowing you to set and track benchmarks and save money as well as provide metrics for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. Sustainable Tulsa will share their experiences with the building Scor3card program and its partnership with THG Energy Solutions to provide web-based sustainability and utility data. close Smart Growth Strategies to Boost Local Economies Location: Majestic H Smart Growth America has created some exciting new ways to help local governments apply smart growth strategies which strengthen their downtowns. SGA‘s vice president of economic development will be on hand to discuss those strategies and also some of the anti-displacement tactics that SGA has championed. close
9 AM - 10:15 AM	Morning Plenary Cities Get Smarter: Smart Growth and the Internet of Things Location: Majestic Ballroom Accredited by:CM 1.25PDH 1.25 Speakers Steve Hansen, Councilmember, City of Sacramento; Board Vice-Chair, Local Government Commission Stephen Hardy, CEO, MySidewalk Tom Schenk Jr., Chief Data Officer, Department of Innovation and Technology, City of Chicago, IL Presentations → Population growth and increasing stress on our infrastructure are causing many communities to rethink how they provide essential public services. Emerging technology used in a responsible way can play a critical role in upgrading aging infrastructure and increasing a community’s ability to reach its sustainability goals, enhance our quality of life, and foster local economic competitiveness. Government officials and business leaders are beginning to embrace the ability of advanced technology to create opportunities to dramatically rethink the way we manage our civic and natural resources. At the center of this paradigm shift, many cities large and small are now using low-cost sensors and wifi-enabled smart devices to collect data and improve community services – from traffic lights that adjust to reduce congestion and parking sensors that can automatically alert drivers about available parking spaces and adjust pricing based on demand. Cities can use emerging technology to fundamentally reshape the way they operate to save energy and water, reduce traffic congestion, create more sustainable cities, and bolster local innovation and competitiveness. There will be time at the end of the presentations for questions from the audience. close
10 AM - 4 PM	Friday Fab Lab
10:15 AM - 10:45 AM	Networking Break
10:45 AM - 12 PM	Concurrent Morning Breakouts Building Urban Resilience through Peer-to-Peer Networks: A Global Perspective Location: Landmark 2 Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25PDH 1.25 Moderator Julia Seward, Principal, Julia Seward Consulting Speakers Pamela Wideman, Deputy Director, City‘s Neighborhood and Business Services Department, City of Charlotte, NC Cynthia Campbell, Director, Officer for International and Philanthropic Innovation, Office of Policy Development and research, U.S. HUD Emily Pacetti, Associate Director Rockefeller Foundation Patrick Brown, Acting Chief of Staff and Chief Resilience Officer, Office of the Mayor, City of St. Louis, MO Presentations → Cities across the globe often share challenges in navigating sustainable and inclusive development that leave a city better equipped to respond to external shocks or stresses – be they financial, social or environmental. This is despite vast differences in context and culture. The ability to find common ground is not limited to the challenges cities face, but also in the solutions and innovative practices that provide inspiration and models for others. International peer-to-peer learning offers an important outlet for outcome-oriented dialogue that advances specific local objectives while creating a sense of community across diverse cohorts of individuals and their cities. In this session, participants will hear from the organizers and participants of peer networks offered by Rockefeller’s 100 Resilient Cities and the German Marshall Fund of the United States’ transatlantic urban program. Takeaways Understanding of how to activate peer to peer learning and international networks so that they are outcome oriented. Navigating the challenges or barriers to international exchange from press, peers, others. Concrete examples of innovative practice and policy solutions for building resilient and inclusive cities. close Fiscal-Impact Analysis in Rural Communities Location: Landmark 1 Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25 Speakers Becky Gray, Director of Housing, Community Development, City of Pittsburg, KS Alex Hutchinson, Economic Development Specialist, Smart Growth America Eddie Fulton, Mayor, City of Quitman, MS Presentations → The practice of fiscal impact analysis – the assessment of the budgetary costs and benefits to municipalities of development decisions within their borders – is rare in rural regions. This session, which includes discussion groups, will present the results of a collaboration between USDA and Smart Growth America, through which fiscal-impact analyses were conducted for six rural communities ranging from a growing town in the Rocky Mountains concerned about preserving its identity and affordability in the face of a population influx to a struggling town in South Carolina working to stimulate its economy, retain and attract residents, and revitalize its community. The panelists will share how fiscal-impact analyses can help development in rural places and discuss approaches to overcoming common challenges. They will also highlight how fiscal-impact analyses are used in unconventional ways, such as prioritizing renovation investments in shrinking communities and evaluating development choices across entire regions. Takeaways Participants will understand the concept of fiscal-impact analysis and how it can be beneficial to rural communities. Participants will learn what types of data are needed for fiscal-impact analyses and where they can be obtained. Participants will come away with two concrete ideas of how they can apply fiscal-impact concepts in their communities. close Meaningful Metrics for Planning Healthy Communities Location: Landmark 3 Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25PDH/HSW 1.25 Moderator Anna Ricklin, Manager, Planning and Community Health Center, American Planning Association Speakers Arthi Rao, Program Manager, Informatics, American Cancer Society, Inc. Milena Bernardinello, Healthy Community Planner, City of Madison, WI Presentations → Planning professionals are in a unique position to improve community health through their work shaping land use, development, housing, transportation and the environments where people live, work and play. When planners partner with other sectors, the potential to improve public health multiplies. With the aim to strengthen multi-sector coalitions and integrate health into planning practices and decisions, the APA developed a set of healthy planning metrics that enable planners to document, measure and track built-environment elements that are known to be key determinants of health, such as sidewalk distribution, access to healthy foods and new development pressures. The tool leverages existing indicator systems, indexes, interactive maps,and literature about social determinants of health. This session will share APA‘s healthy planning metrics and examples of local application. The panelists will address why metrics are important, how to translate between theory and practice, and how measurement can help build bridges between stakeholders. Takeaways Participants will learn about planning metrics to measure community health, and understand the benefits and limitations of these tools. Participants will identify strategies for acquiring, organizing, using, and tracking data to measure community health in their fields. Participants will learn about case studies that highlight how to tailor metrics locally to advance healthy changes in their communities. close Embedding Arts into Community Development: Perspectives from Five National Organizations Location: Majestic A Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25PDH 1.25 Moderator Lynne McCormack, Director of Creative Placemaking National Programs, Local Initiatives Support Corporation Speakers Ben Stone, Director of Arts and Culture, Transportation for America Juanita Hardy, Senior Visiting Fellow for Creative Placemaking, Urban Land Institute Matthew Clarke, Director of Creative Placemaking, The Trust for Public Land Nella Young, Design Leadership Program Director, National Design Initiatives, Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. Presentations → With support from the Kresge Foundation, a consortium of national community-development nonprofits is working to build the field of creative placemaking by embedding art into their respective organizations and fields. The consortium seeks to influence the systems that expand opportunities for people in disinvested communities, pilot projects that achieve this goal, and build a network of practitioners working at the intersection of arts, design and community development. The directors of each nonprofit‘s creative-placemaking program will present their portfolio of projects, highlight projects and policies that drive positive change through the arts, and identify the challenges with this work at the local and national level. The consortium aims to build the field of creative placemaking by developing appropriate tools, networks, and peer learning opportunities. To this end, discussion with the panelists will provide an opportunity for participants to provide feedback. Takeaways Participants will develop an understanding of the current state of creative-placemaking practice. Participants will be able to incorporate creative placemaking into their work. Participants will inform panelists of the barriers that exist at the intersection of arts and each community-development field represented. close Urban Agriculture: Infrastructure and Impact Location: Landmark 5 Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25PDH/HSW 1.25 Moderator Elizabeth Limbrick, Project Manager, Policy and Planning, Innovation for Civil Infrastructure and Environment, New Jersey Institute of Technology Speakers Michele Christina, Co-Owner, BRS Inc. Rachel Deffenbaugh, Urban Farm Manager, Gateway Greening Frank Warren Jr., Board Member and Therapeutic Horticulture Graduate, Gateway Greening Presentations → Communities throughout the nation have many vacant lots that are lying fallow. What if we could use those lots for food production and/or green stormwater infrastructure, community-green spaces? What if this could provide jobs, reduce homelessness, improve the environment, and enhance communities? With common goals of food access, stormwater management, public health, job training and reducing homelessness, this session will present a framework and real-world examples of greening initiatives in Philadelphia and St. Louis. You will learn how green infrastructure and urban agriculture is being used to meet the needs of individuals struggling with homelessness, as well as reducing flooding and managing stormwater through the active partnership among City and non-profit organizations. Be ready to be inspired as our panelists discuss the profound impact that green infrastructure can have on a community, and how it can have a dramatic effect on people. Takeaways Participants will see how urban agriculture can have a profound impact on the lives of those who care for the land can be profound. Participants will get a framework for starting or expanding green-infrastructure programs. Learn real-world solutions for the challenges faced when implementing urban-agriculture programs. close Smart-Cities Tech for Non-Techies: Getting to Know Smart-City Technology Location: Majestic B Level: Beginner Accredited by:CM 1.25 Moderator Lisa Nisenson, Lead, New Mobility Group, Alta Planning + Design; Co-Founder, Greater Places Speakers Martin McGreal, Co-Founder and CTO, Numina Laura Kinsell-Baer, Project Manager, McCormack Baron Salazar; Civic Tech and Data Collaborative John Cruz, Data Management Coordinator, Rise; Civic Tech and Data Collaborative Presentations → Interested in smart-city technology, but not sure where to start? This session reviews the different types and trends in technology that touch on urban design, transportation, public health and governance. A smart-city startup (Cty) will present their data/analytics tool and how they work with cities and towns to apply information to meet multiple goals. A local civic technology collaborative will present the St. Louis Civic Tech and Data Collaborative‘s efforts to translate data into insight for action in solving local problems. Takeaways Participants will understand the various types of smart city technology (e.g., smart mobility, smart city, smart health). Participants will understand how smart city hardware and software work to collect, store and analyze data to address specific community needs. Participants will understand how local coalitions build open source smart city applications and services. close Silo-Busters: Promise Initiatives for Community Health and Economic Vitality Location: Landmark 6 Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25 Moderator Tom Butt, Mayor, Richmond, CA Speakers Jessie Stewart, Executive Director, Richmond Promise Bob Jorth, Executive Director, Kalamazoo Promise Terri Carbaugh, Associate Vice President of Government and Media Relations, California State University, Long Beach, CA Angela Cammack, Senior Policy Advisor at Civic Nation, College Promise Campaign Presentations → Education and place are uniquely intertwined in the United States. Access to high-quality education is a significant predictor of long-term individual and community health, and is tied directly to where one lives for the majority of the population. This is evident in low-income communities and communities of color, where barriers to high-quality education facilitate cycles of generational and place-based poverty. Promise Initiatives challenge this status quo to ensure that underrepresented students and households have access to the high-quality education and wrap-around supports that enable opportunity-rich lives and sustain healthy communities. Promise Initiatives are place-based scholarships and cross-sector collaborations that provide wrap-around support to prepare for young people college and careers. This session will focus on the how and why of silo-busting Promise Initiatives that are driving change in policy, practice and life-outcomes in three diverse cities: Richmond, CA; Kalamazoo, MI; and Long Beach, CA. Takeaways Participants will learn how cities, businesses and community-development professionals can play an active and effective role in educational equity. Participants will gain familiarity with implementation strategies to sustain cross-sector, public-private partnerships and leverage investments for education and workforce development. Participants will map local community resources and investments that structure success and wellness for students within and beyond the classroom. close Finding a Common Language: Performance Metrics for Key Stakeholders Location: Landmark 7 Level: Advanced Accredited by:CM 1.25PDH/HSW 1.25 Moderator Anna Cawrse, Landscape Architect, Design Workshop Speakers Barbara Deutsch, Executive Director, Landscape Architecture Foundation Erin Christensen Ishizaki, Parnter, MITHUN Presentations → This session examines performance metrics for site- and district-scale developments, with an emphasis on how to determine appropriate metrics and build performance assessment into the design and development process. Panelists from two multi-disciplinary firms – the Landscape Architecture Foundation and the Urban Land Institute – will discuss case studies that incorporate metrics for environmental, social and economic performance, including stormwater management, air quality, soil remediation, food access, crime reduction, physical health, mental wellness, job creation and resilience. Through keypad polling, participants will share the types of metrics and data that they have used to measure performance and demonstrate value. You will leave with a stronger sense of the range of performance measurement tools available for built-environment projects of varying scales and typologies. Takeaways Identify and quantify built environment performance-based metrics as they relate to smart growth, resilience, equity and climate-change preparedness. Scale up site-based best practices to district and community-size dynamic smart-growth systems and networks. Conduct environmental, social and economic land-use project evaluations within their districts and communities in a compelling, meaningful way. close Rebounding Neighborhoods in St. Louis: Practical Strategies for Redevelopment Location: Majestic F Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25PDH/HSW 1.25 Moderator Melissa Kramer, Environmental Protection Specialist, U.S. EPA Speakers Todd Swanstrom, Professor of Community Collaboration and Public Policy Administration, University of Missouri, St. Louis Sean Thomas, President, Vibrant Communities Consulting Wes Haid, Designer, SWT Design Christie Huck, Executive Director, City Garden Montessori School Brooks Goedeker, Executive Director, Park Central Development Corporation Presentations → St. Louis experienced decades of urban decline as the metropolitan area grew, but recently some historic urban neighborhoods have rebounded, expanding opportunities for people to live in pedestrian-friendly, diverse, mixed-income neighborhoods. This session will explore three neighborhoods using a variety of approaches to become more equitable and sustainable. The Old North neighborhood, just north of downtown, is revitalizing the physical and social dimensions of the community through a comprehensive strategy and new vision that helps rebrand the neighborhood as environmentally sustainable. The Botanical Heights neighborhood shows how charter schools can help revive a neighborhood without displacing long-time residents. The Central West End and Forest Park Northeast neighborhoods have creatively used special taxing districts to revive their communities. Following the presentations, participants will break into groups based on which neighborhood is most relevant to their community to grapple with how the lessons from St. Louis can be applied elsewhere. Takeaways Learn about small-scale strategies that will help revitalize historic retail corridors and neighborhoods suffering from disinvestment and population loss. Learn how public schools can play a positive role in stabilizing their communities and insuring that they remain diverse and inclusive. Learn how special taxing districts can be used to fund needed revitalization activities in the absence of outside funding. close Reinventing Local Economies with Place-Based Approaches: Examples from Coal Country Location: Majestic G Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25 Moderator Erik Pages, President, EntreWorks Consulting Speakers Chris McKlarney, County Administrator, Giles County, VA Stephanie Tyree, Deputy Director, West Virgina Hub Presentations → Many smaller communities and rural places have found themselves disproportionately reliant on a single industry or employer. What happens when that industry declines or the employer leaves? How can rural places revitalize their economies and create great communities using place-based strategies that promote lasting economic development? How can they leverage demographic and economic trends locally? How can community leaders develop effective community engagement techniques and partnerships to ensure equitable development? This session will explore these concepts, using coal-reliant communities as case examples. Speakers will discuss how their communities are integrating a variety of strategies – such as mixed-use development, Main Street programs, brownfields redevelopment, housing and infrastructure investments, tech and broadband investments, workforce training and creative placemaking – to generate new economic energy. Session leaders will lead an interactive exercise to identify ways to diversify local economies through the lens of place-based and smart-growth approaches, emphasizing community engagement and equitable development. Takeaways Participants will learn how communities reliant on a single industry are developing strategies to diversify economies using place-based/smart growth approaches. Participants will learn new strategies to revitalize rural communities by integrating place-based economic development with community-based goals and equitable development. Participants will test out these strategies in an interactive exercise that applies these techniques to examples from their own communities. close Some Assembly Required: Lessons Learned in Complete Streets Implementation Location: Majestic H Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25PDH/HSW 1.25 Moderator Mark Cason, Government Affairs Manager, American Society of Landscape Architects Speakers Bertran Kuyrkendall, City Transportation Engineer, City of Chattanooga, TN Tom Tavella, Principal, Alta Planning and Design Peg Staeheli, Principal Landscape Architect, MIG, Inc. Presentations → Everyone, regardless of age, ability, income, or ethnicity, ought to have safe comfortable, and convenient access to community destinations and public places – whether walking, driving, bicycling, or taking public transportation. Complete Streets laws and policies can help communities achieve these goals. But how do these laws and policies translate into actual projects for the entire community? Do you have a concept for an innovative Complete Streets project? Now the challenge is to design it, keep the vision, and navigate approvals so that it can be built. This session will explore built projects from around the country, featuring panelists “in the trenches” in planning, designing, and implementing Complete Streets. Speakers will share easily achievable Complete Streets design concepts that can include green infrastructure, street furnishings, public art, Context Sensitive Solutions, and accessibility features for the aging and disabled. Takeaways Participants will learn how to access current street design manuals and funding sources to achieve Complete Streets goals. Participants will receive tools and strategies to help facilitate direct community participation in Complete Streets projects and maintain the community’s project vision through implementation. Participants will also learn from case studies how Complete Streets projects and their benefits can be achieved without displacing residents. close Graywater Realities: Encouraging Widespread Adoption at the Local Level Location: Majestic C Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25PDH/HSW 1.25 Moderator Walt Wadlow, Director of Utility Relations, WaterNow Speakers Chris Reamer, Landscape Contractor, Graywater Professional and Instructor, Chris Reamer Permaculture Design + Build Rey Leon, Executive Director, Valley LEAP; Mayor, Huron, CA Justin Malan, Principal, Eco Consult Presentations → High-impact adoption of residential greywater systems can be achieved with a holistic approach that identifies and resolves policy or process barriers, builds a cohort of professionals qualified to support growing demand, and empowers the community with information and hands-on education. Participants will hear from a diverse group of stakeholders, including policymakers, small businesses and local leaders from communities that have implemented successful pilot projects. This session will focus on strategies to implement streamlined local permitting policies in compliance with state law, break through local government silos (connecting environmental health and community development departments), engender political support of local leaders critical to success, educate management and utility employees to support increased adoption, train landscape and contractor professionals to meet increasing demand, grow public awareness surrounding the benefits of greywater, and engage the environmental justice community with special emphasis on green-job growth in low-income communities. Takeaways Participants will leave this session enthusiastic about implementing a holistic graywater program in their city, and feel empowered to do so. Solid grasp of the various components of a successful graywater program – permitting, education of policymakers, homeowners, professional cohort. High-level perspective on differences between a restrictive versus a supportive graywater code, and guidance on how to implement the latter. close
12 PM - 1:30 PM	Lunch Break - Participants on their Own
12:15 PM - 1:15 PM	Networking Opportunities Walkability Pays: Making Smart Decisions about “Healthy” Investments Location: Missouri Speakers Allen Brookes, Ph.D., Software Architect, U.S. EPA Lawrence Frank, President, Urban Design 4 Health, Inc. Presentations → You‘re a decision-maker and you want to know which investments will likely create the greatest economic, public-health and environmental benefits. This session will showcase a new software tool from the EPA and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that measures the health benefits of alternative scenarios for land-use and transportation investments. The National Environmental Database of social and physical environmental indicators and the National Public Health Assessment Model estimate changes in physical activity, cardiovascular disease and mental-health outcomes associated with different planning alternatives. Examples from recent projects will help show how financial aspects of the health impacts of contrasting growth strategies can be measured. Learn how to make better healthy, financial decisions for active transportation, transit and compact development in your community. close
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM	Afternoon Concurrent Optional Tours of Local Model Projects
1:30 PM - 2:45 PM	Concurrent Afternoon Breakouts Marketing and Design in Government: Thinking of Residents as Clients to Achieve Impact Location: Landmark 1 Level: Advanced Accredited by:CM 1.25 Moderator Amanda Daflos, Director, Innovation Team, Mayor‘s Office of Budget, Innovation and Excellence, Los Angeles, CA Speakers Jennifer May, Director, DesignMatters, Pasadena Art Center, CA Lilly O‘Brien, Program Manager, LA Great Streets Initiative, Office of LA Mayor Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles, CA Gaby Brink, Founder and CEO, Tomorrow Partners Vicki Curry, Chief Public Information Officer, Office of LA Mayor Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles, CA Presentations → Everyone can name dozens of memorable commercial marketing campaigns – Nike, Coca Cola, Progressive. These campaigns‘ call to action is for a consumer to buy a product. The messaging is powerful and effective, and in the best cases, it can ’go viral.‘ Government entities have a similar need but the aim is different. Instead of products to sell, we have programs that we want the public to participate in, policies that we want them to be aware of and proposed ordinances and legislation that we want them to support. We have a call to action that we wish more people would hear to ride public transit, recycle, or shop local. This session will explore how government entities are innovating beyond traditional outreach strategies and taking a design and media approach to creating social-marketing campaigns that have lasting impact, raise awareness about important programs and policies, and support behavior change. Takeaways Inspire participants to use well-designed, user-centered marketing campaigns as a way to increase the effectiveness of outreach activities. Provide participants with practical tips to design and implement marketing campaigns in their cities, including understanding the necessary skill sets. Provide participants with methods to track and communicate the success and outcomes of outreach activities. close Planting Resilience: One Tree at a Time Location: Landmark 3 Level: Beginner Accredited by:CM 1.25PDH/HSW 1.25 Moderator Donna Coble, Executive Director, Forest ReLeaf of Missouri Speakers Dominique Davis, Coordinator, Neighborhood ReLeaf Josh Carron, Urban Forester, Certified Arborist, Forest Park Arboriculture, City of St. Louis Traci Sooter, Professor of Architecture, Drury University Presentations → Getting “back to normal” post-disaster requires restoring our public green spaces as well as the built environment. After the massive tornado struck Joplin, MO, in 2011, focus groups were held to gather citizen input about priorities. One question kept surfacing across these listening sessions: when will the trees be replanted? Similarly, when the City of St. Louis developed its plan for removing 14,000 trees following detection of the emerald ash borer, leaders recognized the need to collaborate with Forest ReLeaf to help engage the community to replace the ash trees. Whether dealing with extreme weather events or the presence of invasive species, recovery efforts will be less robust if they do not include local residents in rebuilding the green infrastructure in their neighborhoods. This session will share lessons learned from these and other case studies, and includes a hands-on element that illustrates how the simple act of planting trees builds resilience. Takeaways Reach out to thought leaders and organizations on the ground in neighborhoods; make no assumptions as each is unique. Communicate early and often; disaster is an opportunity to get many people involved, to own and manage the response. Incorporate green elements into disaster plans – planting trees and greening neighborhoods are just as important as restoring many other services. close Appealing Places to Live: Public-Private Partnerships to Develop Attainable Housing Location: Majestic F Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25 Moderator Deborah Myerson, Principal, Deborah Myers Planning and Development Consulting Speakers Christina Husbands, Senior Manager of Planning and Community Development, Fresno Housing Authority Jeff Huggett, Vice President and Project Partner, Development and Acquisitions, Dominium Presentations → The Rose. Old Town Commons. Ferry Crossing. Rainier Vista. Don‘t these sound like inviting places to live? In fact, they are. A new NAHB publication details these development projects and more as creative and appealing examples of how the public and private sectors can work together to build mixed-income/workforce/affordable neighborhoods. Explore how these projects, which benefited from robust local/state policy commitment to affordable housing, revitalized neighborhoods, embraced green building principles, and made quality housing more attainable for every American. During the Q&A period, the moderator will facilitate storytelling from the audience about innovation in public-private partnerships in their communities, and the panelists will react to those stories with additional lessons learned and insights. Takeaways Illustrate how dedicated public policy commitment at the local and/or state level opens up new opportunities for producing affordable housing. Conclude that green building in affordable housing is more accessible than ever, creating a smaller environmental footprint and reducing expenses. Demonstrate that new mixed-income housing developments can adopt high design standards that create attractive and revitalized communities. close Financial Innovations for Homeownership in Distressed Communities Location: Landmark 5 Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25 Moderator Dekonti Mends-Cole, Director of Policy, Center for Community Progress Speakers Suzanne Hough, Vice President, Community Development, Carrollton Bank Kirk Mills, President, St. Louis Community Credit Union Colleen Schwarz, Vice President of Affordable Housing, Community Reinvestment Fund Presentations → The expansion of sub-prime loan products in the 2000‘s targeted communities of color and low-value communities by presenting inferior lending products as a gateway to homeownership, leaving these neighborhoods barren of mortgage activity since the early 2010‘s. Federal policymaking has largely focused on improving consumers‘ financial protections and offered little in the way of innovative products for sustainable homeownership. In the absence of a federal mandate to create a new loan product; local governments, banks, and nonprofits have stepped in and created innovative market-tailored loans to meet the needs of financially underserved communities. This session will discuss the development of unique loan products that encourage homeownership in low-value markets. The session will also highlight how effective partnerships were created with lenders and philanthropy to improve mortgage availability. Takeaways Participants will learn about the housing-finance landscape and how to identify key partners in their respective communities. Participants will be exposed to existing and innovative financing tools to increase mortgage availability in low-value markets. Participants will leave with a template on how to build the case for developing a local market-tailored loan program. close Transforming Built Environment Spaces into PLAYces Location: Majestic A Level: Beginner Accredited by:CM 1.25PDH/HSW 1.25 Moderator Aisha Alexander, Director, City Initiatives, KaBOOM! Speakers Julia Day, Project Manager, Gehl Susan Rogers, Director, Community Design Resource Center; Associate Professor, University of Houston, College of Architecture Hannah O‘Leary, Project Analyst, Lexington Downtown Development Authority, KY Presentations → The KaBOOM! Play Everywhere Challenge – launched with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Target, Playworld, U.S. HUD and the National Endowment for the Arts – is a $1 million community-driven initiative to transform sidewalks, vacant lots, bus stops and other spaces into engaging, safe PLAYces for kids. The Play Everywhere Challenge reimagines cities with kids in mind. Studies have shown that play is critical to kids‘ health and well-being, and that too many – especially in low-income neighborhoods – aren‘t getting the play they need to thrive. Cities are uniquely positioned to improve health outcomes for kids through replicable, scalable play-everywhere solutions. This presentation will discuss play‘s value and public-health proposition, as well as equity and accessibility. Representatives from KaBOOM! Gehl Architects, HUD and RWJF will present success stories, highlight findings from the Play Everywhere Challenge playbook, and explain how creating play-everywhere installations with existing city infrastructure can ensure the health and success of America‘s kids. Takeaways Participants will be able to assess the importance of family-friendly urban design for kids of all socioeconomic backgrounds. Participants will learn specific ways they can increase the access kids have to physical activity on a daily basis. Participants will be able to recognize existing city locations and infrastructure that can become places for play everywhere design transformation. close Scaling Up: Thinking Megaregionally in Long-Range Planning Location: Majestic B Level: Advanced Accredited by:CM 1.25PDH 1.25 Moderator Anna Read, Senior Program Development and Research Associate, American Planning Association Speakers Catherine Ross, Director, Center for Quality Growth and Regional Development, Georgia Institute of Technology David Morley, Senior Research Associate, American Planning Association Peter Koeppel, Long Range Transportation Plan Coordinator, East-West Gateway Council of Governments Presentations → Many local and regional planning agencies are aware of the concept of megaregions. Furthermore, there is growing awareness among planning agencies that many of the issues and challenges they address, including those related to transportation, the economy, and environmental quality, affect and are affected by megaregional-scale forces and trends. Despite this understanding, relatively few planning agencies acknowledge the importance of the megaregional concept in their long-range plans. This session will define the concept of megaregions and why it is important to think megaregionally. It will then look at how planning agencies can incorporate data, analysis or policy recommendations related to megaregional systems, resources or trends into their long-range plans. This includes a discussion of megaregional planning guidance developed by the American Planning Association and the Center for Quality Growth and Regional Development at the Georgia Institute of Technology, which provides concrete recommendations for planners to incorporate megaregional considerations into long-range plans. Takeaways Participants will learn what megaregions are and why the concept matters for local and regional long-range planning. Participants will learn how incorporating megaregional concepts into their plans can help them achieve smart growth and sustainability goals. Participants will gain familiarity with megaregional planning guidance developed by the American Planning Association and Georgia Tech. close Emerging Urban Economies: Rethinking Strategies that Work for Cities, Neighborhoods and Businesses Location: Landmark 7 Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25 Moderator Julia Seward, Principal, Julia Seward Consulting Speakers Tanu Kumar, Senior Planner, Economic Development, Pratt Center for Community Development Lee Wellington, Executive Director, Urban Manufacturing Alliance Ilana Preuss, Founder, Recast City LLC Presentations → The accepted theory is that industry and small businesses long-ago departed urban communities. But is that an accurate assessment in the post-recession economy? Join panelists who are central to the rebirth of city economies through development of new data that redefines the state of urban manufacturing and tells the stories of businesses that are fueling resurgent development strategies. Panelists will cover the emerging maker economy and ideas for how equity and inclusion are central to strong results. Panelists will posit a new way of thinking about business in the city and support for increasingly diverse cities. Takeaways Insights into national organizations that are at the forefront of urban economic rebirth and resources that connect best practices. Lessons about how to reframe economic development strategies that build on worker assets and support a new wave of recovery. Results on national urban manufacturing survey and examples of what works. close The 24:1 Initiative: Reverse Years of Decline through Innovative Partnerships Location: Landmark 2 Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25PDH 1.25 Moderator Irvetta Williams, Manager of Government Affairs, Beyond Housing Speakers Chris Krehmeyer, President and CEO, Beyond Housing Barry Upchurch, 2017 President, St. Louis Association of Realtors Mark Grueber, Community Forester, Missouri Department of Conservation Christina Buchek, Mayor, City of Bel-Nor, MO Terry Epps, Mayor, City of Pine Lawn, MO Presentations → The St. Louis region is known for its fragmented government structure and disparity of municipal services. In this session, we will discuss unique collaboration efforts aimed to improve quality of life in 24 municipalities that make up the struggling Normandy School District. By implementing smart-growth tactics and targeting housing and green infrastructure, the 24:1 has hired its first community forester and seen the first grocery store and regional bank open in 10 years. Cities are now beginning to view housing and trees as community assets, rather than liabilities. These strategic infrastructure improvements stimulate community support and boost neighborhood revitalization. Participants will learn about a replicable model for partnership and new strategies to address community-infrastructure issues and urban forestry challenges. Participants will also gain access to easy, free, interactive tools that calculate tree benefits in their own communities. Takeaways Understand how to holistically address community-infrastructure issues. Socio-economically disadvantaged communities deserve green neighborhoods and can justify investing in trees by collaborating and taking advantage of available resources because trees provide social, economic and environmental benefits to people that can be measured. Learn what it takes to forge key partnerships with diverse non-profits and government agencies. close Dellwood: The Untold Story Location: Majestic G Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25PDH 1.25 Moderator Joan Wesley, Associate Professor, Urban and Regional Planning, Jackson State University Speakers Andrew Raimist, Lecturer, Washington University in St. Louis Reggie Jones, Mayor, City of Dellwood, MO Daffney Moore, City Administrator, City of Dellwod, MO Presentations → In 2014, following the death of Michael Brown, the St. Louis communities of Ferguson and Dellwood experienced a period of unrest, which greatly impacted the Dellwood Town Center. Although the media’s attention centered on the city of Ferguson, much of the property destruction that occurred during the protests that followed this tragic death affected properties and business owners in Dellwood along West Florissant Avenue. Several Dellwood businesses were heavily damaged or completely destroyed by fires. This session will discuss the “untold story” of Dellwood, including media coverage of Ferguson, the consequences of ineffective policing, adverse impacts on marginalized citizens, community engagement, recovery efforts and the City‘s plans for redevelopment. Takeaways Introduce a broader understanding of the underlying social and economic conditions that precipitated the Dellwood and Ferguson tragedy. Demonstrate the critical role of community stakeholders in generating partnerships to advance Dellwood‘s recovery and redevelopment. Examine how Dellwood‘s recovery and revitalization initiatives inform efforts to build a resilient and sustainable community. close Sustainable Rural Communities from Kansas to California Location: Landmark 6 Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25PDH/HSW 1.25 Moderator Paul Zykofsky, Associate Director, Local Government Commission Speakers Rey Leon, Executive Director, Valley LEAP; Mayor, Huron, CA David Toland, Executive Director, Thrive Allen County, KS Tami Hale, President, Doniphan VITALITY Presentations → What can you do to make a rural town more sustainable? Rural communities already face significant challenges including lack of resources, declining population, low-wage jobs, limited access to goods and services, isolation and long travel distances. This session will highlight the role of entrepreneurial nonprofits in helping rural communities become more sustainable and livable. Speakers will describe the strategies and techniques that are being used in two very different settings: a rural county in southeast Kansas with less than 13,000 people, a small town of less than 7,000 people in western Fresno County in California and an even smaller town of 2,000 in the southern Missouri Ozarks. Speakers will highlight not just their successes but also their challenges and lessons learned and will ask participants to share ideas and strategies for creating sustainable rural communities… no matter where you live. Takeaways The role of community engagement and visioning in addressing challenges in rural communities. Strategies for funding changes in rural communities. Innovative strategies to make rural communities more sustainable. close The Wheels on the Bus Go to the Grocery Store Location: Majestic H Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25PDH/HSW 1.25 Moderator Sara Zimmerman, Program and Policy Director, Safe Routes to School National Partnership Speakers Marisa Jones, Nutrition and Physical Activity Project manager, Safe Routes to School National Partnership Caroline Harries, Associate Director, The Food Trust Jake Warr, Policy Advisor, Diversity and Transit Equity Department, Office of the General Manager, TriMet Presentations → While advocates may self-identify as focused on either food access or active transportation, community members don‘t always see the distinction between these issues. Communities rightly see the issues as interconnected, suggesting that approaches to solving them should be as well. Getting to healthy food venues is a challenge for too many people, particularly for low-income communities, communities of color and people in rural areas, which tend to have lower rates of vehicle ownership and are less likely to have grocery stores nearby than their middle- and upper-class counterparts. These overlapping inequities in food access and transportation choices demand focused attention. While tackling healthy food and active transportation together is an emerging approach, several communities offer examples of how to do so. This session will impart actionable strategies for transit agencies, public health professionals, government officials and planners, and create space to brainstorm additional solutions to link active transportation and food access. Takeaways Participants will learn about the concept of Safe Routes to Healthy Food and examples from across the country. Participants will learn about innovative strategies that public transit agencies are using to improve healthy food access for riders. Participants will learn about how to engage partners from other sectors to improve active transportation and food access linkages. close
2:45 PM - 3:15 PM	Networking Break
3:15 PM - 5:15 PM	Concurrent Implementation Workshops Exploring Solar Streamlining and Historic Preservation Location: Majestic F Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 2.0 Moderator Jack Morgan, Program Manager, National Association of Counties Speakers Megan Day, Project Leader, National Renewable Energy Laboratory Josh Brock, Director of Market Development, Renovate America Presentations → Recognizing the value that many communities hold in both renewable energy and historic preservation, this workshop will explore innovative, best-practice strategies to help streamline the solar process, while still preserving the cultural and architectural significance of historic, conservation, or other special-use districts. Despite recent growth, solar energy is still often limited due to local barriers, such as soft costs, red tape and restrictions. Many of these barriers have limited the use of solar in historic districts, in particular. Hear solar experts discuss specific steps in zoning and permitting, in addition to innovation financing options such as PACE programs, that can be used to help communities advance their sustainability goals, while still remaining committed to preservation and place-based strategies. Takeaways Participants will learn what specific local barriers to solar energy exist--particularly in their own community. Participants will learn innovative strategies currently used to streamline solar without sacrificing historic preservation and sense of place commitments. Participants will learn how the SolSmart program can provide in-depth solar strategy and implementation assistance, as well as competitive advantage. close Citizen Ingenuity and Impact Assessment Location: Landmark 2 Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 2.0 Moderator Traceé Strum-Gilliam, Director of Mid-Atlantic Solutions, PRR Speakers Chanchanit Martorell, Executive Director, Thai Community Development Center Robert García, Founding Director and Counsel, The City Project Wannetta Mallette, Owner and Principal, Mallette Consulting Presentations → Sustainable solutions are environmentally friendly, economically profitable, and socially responsible. Productive harmony requires meeting all three conditions. Treating social impacts as inconsequential may fail to alleviate vulnerability and hinders outcomes that are fully sustainable. Impact assessments are useful for assessing, appraising, or estimating, in advance, the consequences that may follow from proposed actions. Although the public has become accustomed to messaging about impact assessments framed in the context of slowing down development, the instrument is a necessary tool which can encourage thoughtful discussion about subtle issues and potentially injurious actions that could easily be overlooked or at times may be difficult to describe or express. Experts will disclose how they have risen above skeptical views about impact assessments and are using them to ensure critical issues are fully described and analyzed. Participants will learn how assessments can help communities and agencies plan for social change resulting from a proposed action. Takeaways Participants will understand how impact assessment brings local knowledge to the decision process. Participants will identify how impact assessments improve transparency for the benefit of making a visible difference in communities. Participants will leave with tips for better addressing the social and cultural consequences of planned and unplanned actions. close Equitable Climate Policy: From Community Engagement to Large-Scale Investments Location: Majestic A Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 2.0PDH/HSW 2.0 Moderator Melissa Deas, Institute Associate, Georgetown Climate Center Speakers Monica Palmeira, Sustainable Communities Outreach Coordinator, California Strategic Growth Council Maria Koetter, Director, Office of Sustainability, Develop Louisville-Louisville Forward, Louisville Metro Government Ronda Chapman, Equity and Community Engagement Specialist, Department of Energy and Environment, Washington, DC Kristin Baja, Climate and Resilience Planner and Floodplain Manager, City of Baltimore, MD Presentations → Two of the biggest challenges facing the United States are social inequalities and climate change. Public officials are increasingly expressing interest in ensuring that climate adaptation and mitigation actions do not reinforce current injustices, but instead enhance job opportunities, social cohesion, access to safe housing and other services. In practice, this is no easy task. This session will explore examples of ways professionals are putting social justice and equity at the heart of climate policies, and how those policies are implemented. This session will demonstrate, from start to implementation, how an equity framework can become part of city agenda and sustainability planning process, be codified into local and state law, and how it can be operationalized via a major grant programs that implement smart growth and adaptation principles. Participants will leave the session with a thorough understanding of how big-picture climate policy can be translated into action that moves the needle on climate adaptation and mitigation, with benefits for our most vulnerable communities. Takeaways Help participants understand how climate change and inequities are intertwined and how to address both risks with strategic policy-making. Identify concrete policy options being explored at the city and state levels, the challenges in implementing these policies, and the transferable lessons. Help a diverse set of participants better understand how strategic partnerships can enhance social equity and climate adaptation and resilience. close Getting the Deal Done: Creating and Preserving Affordable Housing in Your Community Location: Landmark 7 Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 2.0 Moderator Corey Aber, Business Design Manager, Community Mission, Multifamily Real Estate Speakers Stephen Acree, Executive Director, Rise Carla Potts, Deputy Director for Housing Development, North East Community Action Corporation Pam Anglin, Housing Program Director, USDA Rural Development Joshua Schonfeld, Managing Associate General Counsel, Legal Division, Multifamily Real Estate Julie DeGraaf Velazquez, Senior Vice President, Project Management, McCormack Baron Salazar, Inc. April Ford Griffin, Executive Director, Affordable Housing, City of St. Louis, MO Presentations → Affordable housing is a vital component to sustainable communities and a gateway to opportunity and mobility. However, creating, preserving, and financing it can be a challenging and even at times intimidating, endeavor. In this session, panelists from the development community, USDA Rural Development, a CDFI, a traditional community development bank and Freddie Mac Multifamily will come together to discuss these challenges and lay out various strategies for overcoming them, keying in on the roles that localities, developers, and financiers all play together in meeting the needs of communities so that the end result is a success for all parties involved. In the session‘s first hour, the panelists will talk through the story of how a community might go about creating and preserving affordable housing, and provide insights into the roles, responsibilities and expectations of each party in making these goals a reality. In the second hour, the panelists will come down from the stage and break out into focus groups with participants to discuss cases brought forward by audience members to discuss. Topics include financing for mixed-use developments, rural affordable housing, preserving public housing, infill development, workforce housing, low-income housing tax credits and more, so come with your projects and questions! Takeaways Understanding the affordable housing challenges and opportunities in urban and rural communities. Understanding of tools and financing options available to localities and developers. Understanding the motivations and needs of different parties in transactions so everyone can be better prepared. close Getting States On-Board: Reaching Your Climate (and Other!) Goals through Smart Growth Location: Landmark 5 Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 2.0PDH/HSW 2.0 Moderator Christopher Forinash, Senior Advisor for Smart Growth and Climate, U.S. EPA, Office of Sustainable Communities Speakers Jeri Mintzer, Program Manager, Governors’ Institute on Community Design, Smart Growth America Christopher Zimmerman, Vice President for Economic Development, Smart Growth America Elizabeth Grassi, Senior Policy Analyst, Strategic Growth Council, California Governor\\\'s Office of Planning and Research Presentations → If you‘re trying to create and support complete, sustainable communities at the local level, you know how hard it is to work within (or around) state policies, much less to get your state actively on your side. If you‘re a state official, how do you support local growth that meets state goals? From streets to water infrastructure, economic-development incentives to tax structures, state policies can support or impede smart growth. With a huge interest in supporting the economic and fiscal resilience of localities, reducing existing disparities in community members‘ well-being, and tackling issues related to climate change, states can use land-use planning as a tool to better achieve long-lasting, equitable outcomes. What state policies and programs actually work, and how do we collaborate to get there? Hear from local, state and national leaders about what they‘ve found that works, what doesn‘t and what‘s next. Takeaways State policies often obstruct local smart growth, but some states provide better and improving examples. Some states are working to reduce GHG emissions and some of those policies support smart growth. To meet post-Paris (or more ambitious) GHG reduction targets, we must address underlying land-use patterns, not “just” transportation and power generation and building design. close Practical Strategies for Developing Empowering and Inclusive Creative Placemaking Initiatives Location: Landmark 3 Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 2.0PDH/HSW 2.0 Moderator Liz Pund, Community Arts Manager, Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis Speakers Linda Steele, Chief Engagement Officer, ArtsMemphis Jimmie Tucker, Managing Principal, Self+Tucker Architects Amanda Colón-Smith, Program Director, Dutchtown South Community Corporation Regina Martinez,Organizer and Artistic Director, The Pink House at Beyond Housing Presentations → Creative placemaking leverages the power of the arts, culture and creativity to support and strengthen communities. Community-engaged design draws on the leadership and vision of the residents of the community, rather than an outside entity. In this workshop, practitioners from Memphis and St. Louis will introduce case studies of their work in creative placemaking and community-engaged design, and guide participants in applying these models to their own work. Participants will learn about some of the core philosophies that drive these approaches, including distinguishing engagement from empowerment, and working “with, not for” stakeholders of varying backgrounds. The workshop will also explore the practical factors that impact if and how community-engaged creative placemaking happens – including resources, capacity, communication and collaboration. Following some initial knowledge sharing and group discussion, participants will work together in small groups to apply inclusive, empowering, and collaborative creative-placemaking principles to local community challenges. Takeaways Participants will develop an understanding of creative placemaking and community-engaged design. Participants will apply creative placemaking and community-engaged design principles to their work and their field. Participants will develop a deeper understanding of the knowledge, assets and concerns present when working with individuals from different fields/backgrounds. close Promoting Entrepreneurship in Underserved and Immigrant Communities Adds to Urban Economic Success Location: Majestic B Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 2.0 Moderator Betsy Cohen, Executive Director, St. Louis Mosaic Project, St. Louis Economic Development Partnership Speakers Diego Abente, Vice President and Director, Microenterprise Development, International Institute Matt Wyczalkowski, Executive Director, The BALSA Foundation Eddie Davis, President and Executive Director, Center for the Acceleration of African American Business Alyce Wilson, Director, Grace Hill Women‘s Business Center Presentations → Entrepreneurs from disadvantaged, immigrant, and refugee communities face particular challenges starting a business. This session will identify key factors affecting success rates of entrepreneurship in such communities and share tools the St. Louis region is using to accelerate business creation and success. This session will feature leaders from a number of local organizations, including a refugee resettlement agency, government-funded economic development initiatives focused on immigrant and minority entrepreneurs, and established and start-up social enterprises. We will discuss microloans and business-plan creation, business-development training and mentoring, business-plan competitions which focus on immigrants, women and minorities in under-resourced communities, and ways to recognize such entrepreneurs through media and award ceremonies to inspire more individuals to start businesses. The session will provide participants with two or three tools and strategies to help promote and accelerate successful business creation in immigrant, refugee, minority and other under-resourced communities. Takeaways Recognize challenges faced by entrepreneurs from immigrant, refugee, minority and other disadvantaged communities. Describe use of microloans, SBA loans, business plan assistance to help both high-tech and neighborhood business growth. Employ media, awards and grant programs to stimulate entrepreneurship. close Organizational Capacity Building Through Empowerment Planning Location: Majestic G Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 2.0/ Moderator Kenneth Reardon, Professor and Director, MS Program in Urban Planning and Community Development, School for the Environment, University of Massachusetts Boston Speakers Antonio Raciti, Assistant Professor, Department of City and Regional Planning, School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy, University of Memphis Vickie Jo Kimmel, CEO, Emerson Park Development Corporation Katherine Lambert-Pennington, Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Memphis Presentations → Planning and design professionals assigned to work in poor and working-class communities are increasingly encountering residents who are seeking to play a more active role in the planning process. This session will introduce conference attendees to a bottom-up approach to planning practice called empowerment planning. This alternative approach to plan-making integrates the core theories and methods of participatory action research, direct action organizing, and popular education into a single community problem-solving. This alternative approach to planning practice that was pioneered in East St. Louis in the 1990s is becoming increasingly popular given its ability to generate innovate solutions to critical urban problems while enhancing the organizing, planning, design, and development capacity of community-based development organizations serving low-income communities experiencing high levels of economic distress. Takeaways Develop a deeper understanding of resident-led neighborhood revitalization planning and design. Gain “hands on” experience with an increasingly popular set of participatory planning techniques. Learn more about how empowerment planning methods and techniques are being used to promote more equitable forms of planning. close Brown Is the New Green: Green Infrastructure in Brownfields Revitalization Location: Majestic H Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 2.0PDH/HSW 2.0 Moderator Eugene Goldfarb, President, Great Lakes Environmental Planning Speakers Margaret Renas, Senior Manager, Delta Institute Elizabeth Limbrick, Project Manager, Policy and Planning Innovation for Civil Infrastructure and Environment, New Jersey Institute of Technology Matt Ward, CEO, Sustainable Strategies DC Jean Hamerman, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Center for Creative Land Recycling Presentations → Brownfields (vacant, underutilized or contaminated properties) threaten human and environmental health, depress local economies and reduce local tax revenues. Integrating green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) into brownfields redevelopment is now a national best practice, pushing the boundaries of sustainability ever outward and dramatically increasing the benefits that brownfields revitalization can generate. This workshop will first review principles of green infrastructure, showcase innovative private-public partnerships and tools used in several cities, and then “workshop” GSI solutions an actual site. The workshop will include use of a “GSI Decision Tree” developed by NJIT and other best practices, such as a strategy developed by the Delta Institute to leverage a local stormwater authority ordinance for public implementation of green infrastructure to incentivize redevelopment of brownfields. This workshop will also present strategies of funding GSI, through a variety of public and private sources, and offer suggestions for identifying who, where and how to competitively seek funding. Takeaways Expose participants to the main principles of green infrastructure. Participants will understand strategies (steps, partnerships and funding) for incorporating GSI into planned projects. Participants will be able to use the strategies and the GSI Decision Tree tool on brownfields at the project level. close Transit: The Backbone of Shared Mobility Location: Landmark 6 Level: Advanced Accredited by:CM 2.0PDH/HSW 2.0 Moderator David Taylor, President, Taylor \| Future Solutions Speakers Gwo-Wei Torng, Director, Mobility Innovation, Office of Research, Demonstration and Innovation, Federal Transit Administration Sharon Feigon, Executive Director, Shared Use Mobility Center Jameson Auten, Chief Transportation Officer, Kansas City Area Transportation Authority Paige Tsai, Transportation Policy Associate, Uber Presentations → A vital challenge facing the nation is the changes for expanded and affordable mobility. These changes affect every income and demographic level. Technology is a significant driving force. New terms like shared-use mobility and mobility on demand are forging new public and private transport. Public transit will remain the backbone, as it is strengthened by partnering with bikeshare, carshare and ridesource services. This trend has implications for enhancing smart growth and promoting equity. Some suggest the trend could reduce car ownership. Ironically, this means that mobility options are actually expanded. For transit, two principal benefits are increasing ridership and addressing the “first and last mile” components of transit trips. Hear how the public and private sectors are ramping up collaborative efforts. The session will highlight the trends and the diversity of impacts for community-building, new federal activities, expanding mobility options and partnerships to lower transportation costs to support equity. Takeaways Achieve a deeper understanding of changing mobility trends and options and how they can be applied to local communities. Learn about the new Federal Transit Administration‘s Mobility on Demand grant program. Take advantage of lessons learned from transit agencies, shared mobility providers and communities that are in the forefront of this change. close What Works? The Social Science of Real-World Decision Making (3:15-5:30pm) Location: Landmark 1 Level: Beginner Accredited by:CM 2.25 Moderator Melissa McCullough, Senior Sustainability Advisor, U.S. EPA Speakers Emily Eisenhauer, Ph.D., AAAS Fellow, U.S. EPA Stephen Hardy, CEO, MySidewalk Vernice Miller-Travis, Senior Advisor for Environmental Justice and Equitable Development, Skeo Solutions Presentations → Data and tools for local decision-making are becoming more widely available than ever before. Funders, regulators and community members are increasingly demanding that decisions be data-driven. But what does this mean in the real-world of local decision-making? Does data drive decisions? Or does money, self-interest, NIMBYism or one of many other human foibles? How can decision-makers get usable, actionable information? How do they deal with trade-offs and competing interests when data is incomplete or even ignored? The first third of this session will present an overview of decision-making from a panel of social scientists, local-government representatives, advocates and technology experts discussing selecting a decision framework, understanding the decision context, working with stakeholders, and communicating about data. The last two-thirds of the session will engage participants in an active exercise applying data tools to a decision case. Takeaways Participants will be able to apply principles of decision science to their planning processes. Participants will see examples of using data to define a problem and suggest solutions. Participants will engage in a local decision-making exercise using data and tools. close
5:30 PM	Dinner - Participants on their Own
Saturday
7:15 AM - 8:45 AM	Conference Registration / Breakfast Networking Activities Planning for Public Health Location: Majestic G Come meet your colleagues working on planning, health and built environment issues around the country! Discuss your experience implementing planning and health projects or how you’d like to get started. Exchange information with other professionals about their experiences in smart growth practices, what worked, what didn’t, and insights gained. Identify core competencies for staff to work on planning and health issues. Participants will walk away with new ideas and a network of planning and health professionals to call on for technical assistance. close T4A’s Smart Cities Collaborative: The Equity Connection Location: Majestic F Transportation for America, a program of Smart Growth America, recently launched The Smart Cities Collaborative to guide cities through the challenging terrain of new mobility. SGA‘s director of strategic partnerships will be on hand to discuss T4A‘s leadership in this field and its goals for achieving triple-bottom line outcomes in this emerging field by bringing cities together. close
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM	Morning Plenary The New Mobility: Planning in an Era of Autonomous Vehicles Location: Majestic Ballroom Accredited by:CM 1.5PDH 1.5 Speakers Michelle Martinez, Councilmember, City of Santa Ana; Treasurer, Local Government Commission Ryan Snyder, Principal of Active Transportation, Transpo Group Adam Ducker, Managing Director, Director of Urban Real Estate, RCLCO Presentations → Transportation has arguably changed more in the last five years then in the last 50 years, thanks to technological advances, the prevalence of smart phones and more mobility applications. Google plans to make autonomous vehicles available to the public in 2020. Ford and Volvo have similar timelines, and experts predict that self-driving cars will probably emerge en masse in about a decade. Meanwhile, Uber launched a test of self-driving cars in Pittsburgh last fall, and General Motors and Lyft will begin testing a fleet of self-driving, electric taxis within the year. These exciting changes have the potential to drastically alter our age-old assumptions about driving behavior and infrastructure needs – from parking and refueling to housing patterns and roadway improvements. Local governments must be ready to optimize community benefits that can be created from this transformative shift in transportation. This plenary will feature leading transportation experts discussing how local governments can plan for the new mobility future by tackling local regulations, land-use implications and considerations about social equity. There will be time at the end of the presentations for questions from the audience. close
10:30 AM - 11 AM	Networking Break
11 AM - 1:30 PM	Concurrent Trainings - Includes box lunch Beyond Healthcare Forum: Charting the National Healthy Communities Platform Location: Majestic H Level: Advanced Accredited by:CM 2.25 Moderator Miguel Vazquez, Healthy Communities Urban and Regional Planner, Riverside University Health System, Public Health Speakers Paul Zykofsky, Associate Director, Local Government Commission Michael Osur, Deputy Director, Riverside University Health System, Public Health Elizabeth Baca, Senior Health Advisor, Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, CA Erik Calloway, Senior Planner, ChangeLab Solutions David Rouse, Managing Director of Research and Advisory Services, American Planning Association Katherine Robb, Policy Analyst, Environmental Health, Center for Public Health Policy, American Public Health Association Presentations → For more than three decades, planning and health professionals have been nurturing what we know today as the healthy communities movement. It is within the past five years, however, these collaborations, partnerships and initiatives have sprouted throughout the nation and are nurturing a new narrative, which at its core envisions a more just and equitable society. Government agencies, elected officials, professional organizations, the private and non-profit sectors, foundations, academics and community advocacy groups are breaking down the silos to achieve that vision guided under the lens of the social determinants of health. Although the movement has made great strides, efforts are still scattered and uncoordinated without a common national healthy communities strategy. This session is the first national convening of current major players and key representatives in the healthy communities movement. The session seeks to chart a unified platform with strategies for policy development and implementation that advance equity in all aspects of the social determinants of health. Read more about the National Healthy Communities Platform and join this effort: platformforhealth.rivcoph.org Takeaways Acknowledge and learn major efforts that organizations and individuals have contributed towards growing the healthy communities movement. Convene major players contributing to the healthy communities movement. Chart the National Healthy Communities Platform: Begin the development of a cohesive strategy bringing all existing healthy communities efforts together. close Smart Infill Training Workshop: Kickstart Community Revitalization, Foster Economic Development, and Improve Housing Choices Location: Majestic G Level: Advanced Accredited by:CM 2.25 Moderator Darin Dinsmore, CEO, Buildbrite Speakers Harrison Rue, Community Building and TOD Administrator, City and County of Honolulu, HI Daniel Slone, Partner, McGuire Woods LLP Presentations → Are you infill ready? Learn from cities that are using the award-winning infillscore and revitalization roadmap tool to overcome economic development barriers (recently featured in the Urban Land Institute Magazine). Use online tools in real-time to calculate your score and develop an Infill Roadmap for your community. Discover strategies to streamline projects, improve affordable housing options, remove regulatory barriers, and identify funding and infrastructure-financing opportunities. Learn strategies and tactics from leading practitioners and 245 cities to overcome obstacles to infill while building public support for change. You will leave with a detailed action plan to revitalize your community. Selected participants will receive a desktop-published action plan to present to your agency and civic leaders. Be prepared to put best practices for gentle infill, missing middle housing and TOD plan implementation into practice in your community. Bring your laptops and tablets. Takeaways Lead how to create a strategic action plan for SMART infill. Hear from 245 leading cities about strategies that work and result with changes on the ground. Learn how to support TOD implementation and housing choices with your SMART infill program. close
11 AM - 12:15 PM	Concurrent Morning Breakouts City Youth Use Research, Films to Address St. Louis Segregation Location: Landmark 1 Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25PDH 1.25 Moderator Sarah Hobson, President, Community Allies, LLC Speakers Maliyah McGruder, Student, Grand Center Arts Academy Cori Maxey, Student, Grand Center Arts Academy Clare Whyte, Student, Grand Center Arts Academy Sahdiyah Simpson, Student, Grand Center Arts Academy Presentations → In this session, five students will provide an overview of their three-week (two-hour each day, Monday-Friday) Ethnodrama After School Program during January 2016. In this program, students generated personal research questions about multiple sources for segregation in St. Louis. Based in community interviews, their films capture the intersections between urban planning and its social and mental impact on residents. Students will model their 2016 school film festival by showing their films and inviting the audience to share their perspectives on the connections between urban planning and internalized segregation in St. Louis. They will demonstrate their competence in engaging adults in cross-cultural problem-solving. Drawing upon their research questions and their films, they will facilitate small and large group discussions about the kinds of smart-growth practices their communities need and the power of youth-centered ethnodrama programs for involving youth and their communities in smart-growth development. Takeaways Participants will learn the process of engaging youth as community-based researchers and filmmakers. Participants will identify from their lives and student research, many sources to racial and economic inequalities in St. Louis. Participants will learn actions that help improve racial and economic inequalities in St. Louis, including supporting similar educational programming. close Healthy Communities for All Ages: Case Studies on Promising Practices Location: Landmark 2 Level: Advanced Accredited by:CM 1.25PDH/HSW 1.25 Moderator Kathy Sykes, Senior Advisor for Aging and Public Health, U.S. EPA Speakers Lori Fiegel, Director, Strategy and Innovation, Office of the County Executive, St. Louis County Michael Ray, President, NetOrganizing Consulting and Nurse Tree Arch Design, Physicians for Social Responsibility Mashell Sourjohn, Associate State Director of Community Outreach, AARP Bill Armbruster, National Advisor, AARP Presentations → Community leaders and residents need to adapt their environment to support active, healthy and independent living ensure they are resilient and age-friendly in the face of a rapidly aging population and the impacts of climate change. This session will highlight communities on the cutting edge from four states addressing these critical issues. Arizona‘s Climate Smart Southwest Project, led by Physicians for Social Responsibility, is tackling the public health threats of climate change disruptions to at-risk populations including elders, Native Americans and low-income residents. Los Angeles‘ livability index score has actually catalyzed civic leaders. Heritage and culture in Oklahoma helped inform important work with diverse community leaders to meet special aging, health and food security needs. The St. Louis, MO County Executive and Planning Commission developed a cutting-edge toolkit to assist municipalities recognize elders as economic participants and a home-repair checklist for seniors. Takeaways Participants will learn about three successful toolkits that were developed through a collaborative process in target diverse sectors, including community residents, health-care providers, planners and elected officials. Participants will learn about the benefits of having aging and health NGOs as partners and leaders in addressing key challenges involving age-friendly communities, climate-change adaptation and food security. Participants will identify key equity concerns and cultural-competency issues facing communities with respect to age-friendly communities and smart-growth issues. close Planning and Regulating Housing Options for Changing Demographics Location: Landmark 3 Level: Advanced Accredited by:CM 1.25 Moderator Graham Smith, Vice President of Planning, Gould Evans Speakers Chris Brewster, Associate Vice President, Gould Evans Scott Allen, Community Development Director, City of Blue Springs, MO James Holley, Assistant Community Development Director, City of Blue Springs, MO Ryan Tull, Vice President, Rainen Companies, LLC Presentations → How does a suburban community address the emerging markets and practical challenges of shifting housing demands? By focusing on the neighborhood scale of development, the City of Blue Springs, Missouri is prepared to address the shifting demographics and changing market preferences for housing. The City created a “system of planning and regulating,” making housing choice a major theme of the comprehensive plan, and defined diverse building types within the new unified development code. Consideration of a wider range of housing types within the various contexts of the community aims to make these projects marketable. The result is that the community understands different housing types, and how they relate to the various contexts and urban design characteristics of the streets, blocks and neighborhoods. The panelists will discuss the opportunities and challenges communities and developers face in implementing what has been referred to as “missing middle” housing. Takeaways Identify demographic shifts and changing housing preferences mean to housing markets, and mainly what it means for typical suburban communities. Identify neighborhood-scale planning policies, including typical pitfalls from development regulations, that prevent communities from meeting citywide “housing choices” policy goals. Understand impediments from a developer‘s perspective, to projects with a range of housing choices, whether policy, market or regulatory impediments. close Regional Planning to Build Local Food Economies and Healthy Communities Location: Majestic B Level: Beginner Accredited by:CM 1.25PDH/HSW 1.25 Moderator Chuck Bean, Executive Director, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Speakers David Shabazian, Rural-Urban Connections Strategy Program Manager, Sacramento Area Council of Governments James Barham, Agricultural Economist, USDA Rural Development Lindsay Smith, Regional Food Systems Value Chain Coordinator, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Presentations → Recently, there has been remarkable growth in local food policy councils, municipal food-policy directors and federal support for local and regional food systems. Councils of Government (COGs) and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) are starting to respond, elevating food as another critical element of healthy communities. From convening stakeholders, to designing and implementing programs for improved healthy food access, to leveraging expertise in data collection and analysis; these organizations are supporting collaboration, investment, and policy change to the benefit of local food economies, smart growth and agricultural land preservation. During this session, several COG/MPO planners from around the country will share how they are engaged in regional food-systems planning, with a specific look at the real and theoretical connections this work has to preserving critical agricultural lands. An economist from USDA will situate these efforts within the broader landscape of regional food-system work happening across the country. Takeaways How COGs and MPOs are engaging in regional food-systems work, including partnerships with nonprofits, government and businesses, on planning and implementation. Planning techniques, tools, and funding to promote smart growth, including agricultural preservation and economic development, and increased healthy food access. The unique role that COGs and MPOs can play in increasing understanding of rural-urban, food-related economic linkages. close A Vote at the Table: Building Equitable Boards and Commissions Location: Majestic A Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25 Moderator Jessie Buendia, Community Benefits and Social Responsibility Manager, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Speakers Tracy Zhu, Stakeholder and Advisory Body Analyst, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Mashael Majid, Program Manager of Equitable Development, Urban Habitat Justin Rausa, Commissioner, Alameda County Public Health Commission Presentations → Local boards and commissions are key decision-making bodies on land use, planning, and policy issues that impact racial and economic equity. Serving on a board or commission is a critical opportunity for low-income communities and communities of color to not only have a seat at the table, but to have a vote at the table. In this session, the speakers will share models and strategies to deploy an inside-outside strategy that strengthens boards, commissions, and advisory bodies to pass policies that advance equity. Through a panel and an interactive breakout session, participants will learn best practices from three different roles: a nonprofit leadership-development program that trains advocates to navigate the culture and language of commissions; local-government staff who develop an internal strategy to align the community and agency‘s priorities; and a commissioner advocate who advances policies and planning with the support of internal and external stakeholders. Takeaways Learn about leadership models that trains low-income communities of color to navigate the culture and language of commissions. Make the case within local government to strengthen boards and commission to be effective community engagement and policy forums. Develop tactics and strategies for board members and commissioners to advance policies and programs that improve disadvantaged communities. close Choosing Smart Locations: A New Tool for Siting Workplaces Location: Landmark 5 Level: Advanced Accredited by:CM 1.25 Moderator John Thomas, Ph.D., Director, Community Assistance and Research Division, Office of Sustainable Communities, U.S. EPA Speakers Ruth Kroeger, Community Planner, Urban Development, Good Neighbor Program, U.S. General Services Administration Elizabeth Grassi, Senior Policy Analyst, Strategic Growth Council, California Governor‘s Office of Planning and Research Patrick Foster, Chief, Real Estate Leasing and Planning Section, Department of General Services, State of California Presentations → How does a public real estate agency determine where to locate its office space? Factors such as cost and square footage, easy to measure and rank, have always been part of the equation, but what about commitments to make operations more sustainable and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly those associated with travel and commuting? Come learn how the federal agencies and the State of California are using the Smart Location Calculator to evaluate the performance of their facility locations, and how public sector location decisions impact regional employment, the environment, and social equity. Try using the calculator yourself to assess the relative location efficiency of various sites within your own metropolitan region. The session will also highlight new opportunities for using the tool and underlying data to support your own scenario planning, land use development review, and other local and regional transportation planning applications. Takeaways Discover a new dataset and tool for evaluating the relative location efficiency of workplace locations and informing smart site selection. Understand how federal and state agencies are applying the Smart Location Calculator in portfolio management and location policy for government facilities. Gain hands-on training using the Smart Location Calculator to consider location efficiency and social equity in planning, facility siting and infrastructure decisions. close Affordable Rural Rental Homes: Housing Your Workforce and Your Grandma Location: Landmark 6 Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25 Moderator Gina Silva, Policy Analyst, USDA Rural Housing Service Speakers Suzanne Anarde, Program Vice President, Rural LISC Dan Carmody, President, Eastern Market Corporation (Detroit, MI) Presentations → In small cities and rural areas across rural America, a network of affordable apartment communities is hidden in plain sight. They provide homes for low-income senior citizens, the labor force, and young families and serve as anchors for building strong rural economies. They are often residents‘ only hope of affordably maintaining independence, aging in place, or raising a family on a very limited income. Due to demographic trends affecting rural America, the need for affordable rental housing is growing; however, the current stock is aging and in need of reinvestment and modernization. This session will explore creative approaches to protect and strengthen affordable rental housing in rural America, including financing tools for rehabilitation, opportunities for residents in multifamily properties and overall tips on retaining this critical resource to the public and decision-makers in rural places. Takeaways Participants will be able to argue that affordable rental housing is foundational to strong rural communities and economies. Participants will learn about leading examples of affordable rental housing preservation that incorporate smart growth and sustainability principles. Participants will come away with three concrete ideas for revitalizing or strengthening affordable rental housing stock in their own communities. close The New Mobility: Planning in an Era of Autonomous Vehicles Location: Landmark 7 Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25PDH 1.25 Moderator Lisa Nisenson, Lead, New Mobility Group, Alta Planning + Design; Co-Founder, Greater Places Speakers Jeremy Raw, Systems Planning and Analysis Team, Office of Planning, FHWA Greg Rodriguez, Attorney, Best Best and Kreiger LLP Presentations → Are we headed for a more equitable future or dystopian nightmare? As more campuses and cities test driverless cars and shuttles, early results point to several areas where cities can get in front of trends to manage active, driver-directed and driverless transportation. This session will provide an update of federal and state rules, as well as best practices for legal and regulatory updates, integrated transportation and land-use planning and new models for land-use planning and transit-oriented development – where the transit come to you. Takeaways Participants will be aware of the various legal, policy and regulatory issues surrounding self-driving cars. Participants will understand various ways cities can integrate driverless technology into land use and economic development plans. Participants will understand how to integrate driverless technology into existing transit and transportation planning, including active transportation. close
11 AM - 3 PM	Extended Training - Includes box lunch The Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Model Location: Majestic F Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 3.75 Moderator Andrew Geller, Acting National Program Director, U.S. EPA Speakers Siobhan Tarver Whitlock, Physical Scientist, Office of Environmental Justice and Sustainability, Region 4, U.S. EPA Chet Kibble, President, Shelby County Lead Collaborative Costin Shamble, Diversity Compliance Manager, Office of Policy and Planning, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Sheryl Good, Physical Scientist, Office of Environmental Justice and Sustainability, Region 4, U.S. EPA Presentations → This training session for a multi-disciplinary audience will provide an introduction to the Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Model (CPS). This model has developed into an effective approach for working with various stakeholders to address local environmental issues, including improving the built environment, and is equally about strong community involvement. An EPA training team will introduce participants to methods which support making informed decisions based on putting community members at the center of the placemaking process. Takeaways Participants will learn how sensitivities to environmental justice that start with community engagement and community clean-up actually carry through to community recovery and redevelopment. Participants will learn there are commonalities between environmental justice and ethical planning practice. Participants will learn innovative ways to engage diverse communities. close
12:15 PM - 1:30 PM	Networking Lunch - Box lunch provided
1:45 PM - 3 PM	Concurrent Afternoon Breakouts Is Resilience Just a Buzzword? Or Is It the New Normal? Location: Landmark 1 Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25PDH/HSW 1.25 Moderator Naomi Friedman, Policy Analyst, U.S. HUD Speakers Justin Schultz, Director, HR&A Advisors, Inc. John Zeanah, Deputy Director, Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development, TN Presentations → Resilience has often been described as the newest buzzword to replace “sustainability.” But is that really true? Or is it just another way of recovering from disaster? What distinguishes the two approaches, and how does a resilience approach respond to the challenges and risks that are part of a “new normal?” Come learn from communities (including grantees under HUD‘s National Disaster Resilience Competition) that are leading the way into a new climate-focused future to pilot new approaches in infrastructure investment, planning, and performance measurement that go beyond previous sustainability and/or disaster recovery efforts. This session will also describe several important new federal actions underway that are changing the landscape for community resilience, including new requirements for planning, elevation against flood risk and building-code enhancements, and efforts to facilitate community relocation in the face of climate threats. Takeaways To understand the difference between sustainability, disaster recovery and resilience. Determine how these approaches best match the current risks faced by your community, and what new funders and partners might be engaged. To understand how new and forthcoming federal legislation will help communities pivot to a more resilient future. close Show Me the Money: Policies and Programs in Action Location: Landmark 2 Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25 Moderator Veronica Garibay, Co-Director, Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability Speakers Sandra Celedon, Hub Manager, Fresno Building Healthy Communities Mike Russo, Equity in Public Funds Manager, Advancement Project Phoebe Seaton, Co-Director and Attorney at Law, Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability Presentations → In California, community leaders across the San Joaquin Valley are leading advocacy efforts to address environmental justice, disproportionate social and economic impact, and historic disinvestment in their communities. Residents have successfully designed, advocated for and secured strong policies and programs that respond to community needs. Valley communities are engaging in local and state annual budget-setting processes to ensure meaningful and effective implementation of strong community-driven policies and programs. This session will analyze community led budget advocacy campaigns focused on increasing access to safe drinking water, affordable housing, parks and open space and eliminating multiple sources of pollution in the city of Fresno, the San Joaquin Valley and across California. The panelists will discuss opportunities and best practices necessary to ensure meaningful implementation of community policy priorities. Takeaways Participants will have an increased understanding of what is necessary to ensure authentic community engagement in policy advocacy. Participants will learn how to engage in local and state budget-setting processes to meet community priorities. Participants will have increased understanding of how to translate priorities into effective policies and programs. close Evaluating and Implementing Local Sales Tax Distribution Equity Location: Landmark 3 Level: Advanced Accredited by:CM 1.25 Moderator Robert Lewis, Principal, Development Strategies Speakers James Brasfield, Professor Emeritus, George Herbert Walker School of Business and Technology, Webster University Sarah Coffin, Associate Professor, Urban Planning and Development, Center for Sustainability, Saint Louis University Presentations → Local-government tax revenues are very often functions of inter-jurisdictional shopping and commuting. Taxpayers freely flow from city to city for retail and jobs, in turn paying taxes in jurisdictions not their own. The result can be a regional distribution of tax revenues that is widely different from the distribution of population or personal income. For instance, some cities have major retail concentrations and collect a disproportionate amount of sales taxes. How can regions overcome this imbalance? Virtually unique in the U.S., St. Louis County, MO, has implemented an array of sales-tax distribution methods for more than 40 years among the county‘s one-million residents, two thirds of whom live in 90 municipalities. The session will discuss lessons of varying success learned to implement tax-sharing programs. The lessons will be presented within a background of the ever-changing socio-economic context of the county. Takeaways Fuller understanding of the “adjacency factor” when considering types, uses and distribution of local government tax sources. Fuller appreciation of changing socio-economic and locational forces affecting retailing. Zeal and tools to address local tax-equity issues. close Creating a Culture of Health in Rural Appalachia Location: Landmark 5 Level: Beginner Accredited by:CM 1.25 Moderator Margot Brown, Program Analyst, Office of Sustainable Communities, U.S. EPA Speakers Kate Ange, Principal, Renaissance Planning Group Randolph Wykoff, Dean, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University Pamela Ray, Senior Health Educator, Virginia Department of Health, New River Health District; Virginia Tech Center for Public Health Practice and Research Presentations → “The mountains of rural Appalachia shape people‘s lives, both literally and figuratively,” says Bruce Behringer. Zip code is a stronger predictor of health than genetic code, and the people of Appalachia suffer disproportionately poor health outcomes compared with the rest of the nation. Limited economic opportunities and access to quality health care significantly influence health and quality of life in Appalachia. This session will present case studies of small towns in rural Appalachia that are transforming community health and spurring economic growth through health-care facilities that are investing in downtown. Participants will learn how community leaders in rural Appalachia are creating healthy communities by leveraging assets through cross-sector collaboration and philanthropic strategies to address health and economic conditions; building a culture of health through holistic community and clinical interventions to stimulate thriving local economies centered around wellness for the entire population; and leveraging centrally located health-care facilities. Takeaways How to integrate cross collaboration among community developers, health officials and civic organizations for siting health-care facilities. How to a use health care facility to spur economic growth and revitalization in rural communities. How to incorporate social determinants of health into smart growth planning to improve rural community health outcomes. close Don‘t Be Left Behind: Make Your Community More Walkable Now Location: Landmark 6 Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25PDH/HSW 1.25 Moderator Nate K. Johnson, REALTOR, Real Estate Solutions and Chair, NAR® Smart Growth Advisory Board Speakers Samantha Thomas, Built Environment Manager, Blue Zones Christopher Coes, Vice President for Real Estate Policy and External Affairs, Smart Growth America; Director, LOCUS: Responsible Real Estate Developers and Investors Nate Johnson, Government Affairs Director, Coastal Carolinas Association of REALTORS Presentations → Demand for walkable communities is on the upswing. People of all ages and lifestyles – millennials, families and retirees – are recognizing the benefits and enhanced quality of life of being within walking distance to transit and destinations of choice. Many more people simply want to be able to safely walk and bike in their neighborhoods. So, what is a walkable community? How can you make your community more walkable? Discover the elements that can be implemented in your community to right-size its streets for people and business, not just cars. Get the details on walkability resources and strategies like Walk Score and a walking audit. Hear about the demand for walkable communities and why your city should take action. Learn about one community‘s strategy to become more walkable. Leave inspired, empowered and aware of another way to help make the places where we live smarter, safer, happier and healthier. Takeaways Find out how to measure the walkability of your neighborhood. Discover tools and strategies to engage community members to collectively take the steps to make your community more walkable. Learn why your community needs to become more walkable to remain competitive. close Food Innovation Clusters: Creating Robust and Resilient Regional Food Systems Location: Landmark 7 Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25PDH 1.25 Moderator James Barham, Ph.D., Agricultural Economist, Food Systems Specialist, Rural Business Cooperative Service, USDA Rural Development Speakers Dan Carmody, President, Eastern Market Corporation (Detroit, MI) Alexandra Loffredo, Community Health Policy Advisor, American Communities Trust Tom McDougall, Founder, 4P Foods Presentations → Food innovation clusters are emerging as an effective smart-growth and economic-development strategy to cultivate and coordinate food and agriculture activity in a particular locality. Food innovation clusters are geographic concentrations of food-oriented businesses, services and community activities that often represent most or all of the supply-chain activities from production to consumption with the intent of spurring regional food-systems development and increased access to healthy, local food to underserved and marginalized communities. In this session that will include “lightning consulting,” the panelists who represent very different geographies (from rural Wisconsin to urban Detroit) and different stages of development (from a 100-year institution to a project just breaking ground) will discuss how they are addressing supply-chain infrastructure gaps, creating market opportunities for local and regional producers, increasing healthy food access, and fostering new partnerships through rural-urban economic linkages. Takeaways Participants will learn what food innovation clusters are and their intersection with place-making, sustainable development, entrepreneurship and social equity. Participants will learn about innovative financing strategies, how to develop strategic partnerships, and receive hands-on advice through “lightening consulting.” Participants will learn how to use food innovation cluster approaches to create rural-urban economic linkages in their smart-growth work. close Actionable Plans Lead to Investment Location: Majestic G Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25 Moderator Mirej Vasic, Urban Planner, Urban Strategies Speakers Mark Reid, Partner, Urban Strategies Monica Kurzejeski, Deputy Mayor, City of Troy, NY Brenda Scott-Henry, Director of Green Urbanism, City of Gary, IN Jim Van der Kloot, Senior Advisor, Strong Cities Strong Communities, U.S. EPA Presentations → After decades of decline and divestment, Rust Belt cities across the United States are beginning to re-invent themselves. These cities are experiencing a resurgence of people and businesses that are attracted to the rich cultural offerings, strong educational institutions and burgeoning technology and maker spaces available in this region. To effectively sustain this momentum and reverse the effects of long-term decline, a range of organizations and agencies including federal partners, universities and neighborhood groups are joining forces to create action-oriented plans to guide growth, change and transformation over the next several years. This session will tell the incredible story of two cities – Troy, NY, and Gary, IN –that have developed bold new visions, planning, frameworks and implementation projects to support revitalization. The directions and strategies developed by these cities will be explained to assist planners and policymakers with establishing and applying smart-growth policies in their respective cities. Takeaways Participants will earn about creative strategies to help identify opportunities for place-based transformation. Participants will learn how to leverage state and regional economic development resources and assets to support citywide plans. Participants will understand how to successfully apply smart-growth strategies to legacy cities. close Successful Implementation Strategies from Our Nation’s Working Waterfronts Location: Majestic H Level: Intermediate Accredited by:CM 1.25PDH/HSW 1.25 Moderator Henry Pontarelli, Vice President, Lisa Wise Consulting, Inc. Speakers Mark Breederland, Michigan Sea Grant Educator, Michigan Sea Grant Extension Chris Hermann, Principal, MKSK Pete Malinowski, Director, Billion Oyster Project Susan Taylor, Director of Port Development, Port of St. Louis Presentations → Our nation‘s working waterfronts often have in place critical elements for economic, environmental and social vibrancy, such as business clusters, established trade partnerships and functioning ecosystem services. Despite this, they are under-promoted and poorly appreciated. This session aims to expand the network of and dialogue among working waterfront planning and economic-development practitioners. The panelists will lead a discussion surrounding projects that have been successfully implemented: (1) applying folklore and historic preservation to boost tourism in Fishtown, Michigan; (2) a Columbus, OH waterfront revitalization effort – a public-private partnership that triggered $1.4 billion in private investment; (3) the Billion Oyster Project restoration program that has planted more than 17 million oysters in New York Harbor; (4) the St. Louis Port Authority‘s collaboration with leaseholders to manage one of the nation‘s busiest riverfront shipping terminals; and (5) the Port of Los Angeles Land Use Plan, which stabilized lease structures and enabled over $7.5 million in development investment. Takeaways Working waterfronts have elements in place which support economic, social and environmental vibrancy and deserve greater attention and funding. Concepts of cultural heritage and community identity make a project more appealing to potential collaborative partners and funding sources. Educating and engaging our youth on the unique value of working waterfronts will generate appreciation and a more stable future. close
3:10 PM - 4 PM	Closing Plenary Having Faith in Equitable Communities: Energizing Neighborhoods, Creating Opportunities Location: Majestic Ballroom Accredited by:CM 1.0 Speakers Pam O\'Connor, Councilmember, City of Santa Monica; Baord Chair, Local Government Commission Rev. Dr. Floyd H. Flake, Senior Pastor, The Greater Allen AME Cathedral (Queens, NY); former Congressman; Boardmember, The Fannie Mae Foundation Presentations → In an era of increasing racial, economic and partisan strife, faith communities and their leaders in diverse neighborhoods across the nation are bringing people together to spark local revitalization efforts and build equitable development. Faith-based institutions, through strategic combinations of practical coalition-building, people power and targeted resources, often fill social and economic gaps left unattended by government and businesses. Our closing keynoter will inspire your community work by exploring how these institutions create pathways of economic and social opportunity within communities often plagued by lack of public services, insufficient resources, and long-standing financial neglect and disinvestment. Turning “community stewardship” into a national, bipartisan model for faith-based development and economic empowerment, Rev. Flake will describe his church’s housing, education, social services and job-creation initiatives. Flake will explain how faith-based institutions and their partners have helped reverse untenable practices in housing, land use and infrastructure. close
Sunday
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM	Concurrent Optional Tours of Local Model Projects

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