MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2010                                                     ===> click here for printable daily version

TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 2010                                                  ===> click here for printable daily version

Choice
Choice Neighborhoods:  A New Dimension in Public Housing
In 2009, HUD announced a new comprehensive approach to transform neighborhoods of extreme poverty into sustainable mixed income neighborhoods with well-functioning services, schools, public assets, transportation and access to jobs.  Of particular interest is HUD’s encouragement for housing authorities to incorporate early childhood education components into their planning process.  You will learn about HUD’s strategy to expand urban revitalization beyond the public housing complex in this workshop.

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Brownfield
Brownfield Redevelopment:  From Remediation to Reuse
Under the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, HUD, DOT and EPA are looking to maximize the impact of available federal resources on transit, housing and brownfield to leverage additional private investment. Participate in this workshop to gain insight about overcoming serious financial and environmental barriers to redevelop brownfield, remove blight and environmental contamination and create a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization.

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Villages
Eco-Villages and Conservation-Based Subdivisions
The preservation of high priority open spaces such as stream corridors, meadows or forests in conservation-based sub-divisions can not only absorb rainfall but also provide valuable opportunities for recreation and wildlife habitat.  Likewise, eco-villages are planned communities that emphasize low environmental impacts, use energy efficient systems and alternative energy resources to reduce carbon emissions.  You will gain valuable knowledge about these sustainable development concepts in this workshop.

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Regional
Integrated Regional Planning: A Tool to Manage Growth or Economic Recovery
Many NC communities are engaged in regional planning.  Some are prospering, but still facing challenges resulting from peak oil dependence and climate change.  Others are facing devastation brought about by severe economic downturn.  To become a resilient, lasting community capable of surviving crises will require hope, confidence and inner strength.  Join this workshop to examine real communities grappling with these challenges through planning processes but pursuing pathways to become “cities of hope.”

Presenter: Timmy Baynes, Kerr-Tar Council of Governments
Presenter: Ann Wall, Director of Planning & Community Development, City of Rocky Mount

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Lessons
Building Sustainable Communities - Lessons from Charlotte, NC
Join this workshop and discover how Charlotte offers its residents an opportunity to have it all.  Neighborhoods exist that combine housing, shops, businesses and institutions—all located within walking distance and connected by attractive streets and public spaces.  Residents have a variety of travel options, housing for all and protected natural areas.  Learn how sustainable neighborhoods are surviving and prospering in the Queen City.

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 Responding
Responding to the Foreclosure Crisis:  Maintaining Community Stability
Besides climate change, environmental pollution, energy and resource consumption patterns, the continuing crisis in the real estate market is forcing us to re-think our approaches to building and sustaining communities.  Coming out of the recession and the sub-prime mortgage melt down, this workshop will examine current conditions, foreclosure mitigation and other strategies aimed at addressing equity and sustainability outcomes in fragile, low and moderate income neighborhoods ravaged by these forces.

Presenter: William Corbett, Staff Attorney, NC Commisioner of Banks
Presenter: Teisha Harrison, Housing Counselor, Rocky Mount/Edgecombe CDC

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Rethinking
Rethinking Building Efficiency: Whole Systems or Integrative Design Approaches
The integrative design process is how the most environmentally effective and cost-effective green buildings are achieved.  This process shifts our thinking to optimize at the beginning the interrelationships between all the elements and entities that are directly and indirectly associated with building projects in the service of efficient and effective use of resources.  Join this workshop to learn more about the identification of the systems integrated into a “whole” systems approach.

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Transit
Transit Planning to Advance Community Development
Striving to do more for people with less from the earth will require innovations.  How can cities and suburban centers become transformed into models of walkability?  Attend this workshop to explore how transit oriented development (TOD), pedestrian oriented development (POD) and green oriented development (GOD) can create whole corridors where people do not need a car.

Presenter: Kris Krider, Economic Development Manager, Town of Davidson

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Techniques
HUD: An Introduction to Green Rehab Techniques (Parts I & II)
Changes in federal and state funding streams and policies are boosting opportunities to re-model and stabilize neighborhoods.  Improvements in energy efficiency technology and products are also fueling affordable green building strategies for even low wealth residents.  Come to this workshop and jumpstart your introduction to integrated green building systems and green design possibilities.

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Jobs
Sustainable Building Practices: A Strategy to Create Apprenticeships and Jobs
Developing more entry points for people and neighborhoods to join the movement toward sustainable communities is vital.  One strategy uses interest in sustainability and green building practices to deliver job training, employment opportunities and income, while also focusing on quality of life improvements for low resource residents and their communities.  Come to this workshop and examine various models that are building an inclusive green economy with a specific focus on “green collar” jobs.

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Approaches
Sustainable Approaches to Community Development
Climate change and other forces threaten the future stability of our planet.  To achieve the health of the whole, community builders are engaged in deeper and more purposeful thinking about new approaches to create buildings, places and people that contribute to making the world a better, healthier place.  This workshop will highlight innovative models of successful sustainability and energy efficiency practices.

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Transportation
Understanding Work-Based Housing & Family Transportation Costs
As economic volatility continues, research and data are essential to gaining new insights and understanding of emerging trends. A new academic study documents the negative impacts of the lack of housing for working families on the environment, the economy and the quality of life in the Asheville Metropolitan Area.  By attending this workshop, you will gain knowledge of data associated with the long commutes of essential workers from home to work, as well as family expenditures for transportation and other impacts of commuting on these families’ lives and communities.

Moderator: Roberta Boyd- Norfleet, Director, Central NC Regional Branch, Self-Help Credit Union
Presenter: Dr. William Rohe, Director, UNC Chapel Hill Center for Urban & Regional Studies
Presenter: William Leahey, Asheville Hub

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Linking
Linking School Excellence with Community Resiliency
According to one author, a sustainable city is one that is reducing its ecological footprint—reducing land and resource consumption and waste production—while improving its quality of life in such areas as health, housing, work opportunities and livability.  Come to this workshop and explore the connections between livable, equitable, resilient places our cities can become and the impact of current housing patterns, school policy and the quality of schools on these goals. 

Moderator: Chris Estes, North Carolina Housing Coalition

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Combating Drought: A Threat to Community Survival
In early May 2010, a Drought Advisory covered 58 of North Carolina’s 100 counties.  In addition, new State law establishes a policy on reuse of treated wastewater or reclaimed water to meet the existing and future supply needs in NC.  Come to this workshop to explore how NC Department of Environmental and Natural Resources’ reclaimed water rules and the implementation of strategies that reduce water pollution and run-off will affect NC’s efforts to develop and enhance sustainable communities.

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Recycling
Recycling Underused Sites through Up-Zoning
Recycling land involves directing development to already degraded land.  Municipal coffers benefit when cities clean up and rezone abandoned industrial sites and re-develop these up-zoned assets, attracting private investment for high density residential and commercial projects.  Attend this workshop and learn how cities and towns are taking advantage of re-development opportunities with sites that are either vacant or underused.

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