Join us for this discussion of the opportunities and advantages of creating sustainable communities with an emphasis on 21st century urban design tools for building livable, walkable, mixed-use neighborhood centers.

An expert panel focused on creating sustainable urban environments -

Kaid Benfield, Dir. Sustainable Communities - NRDC

Kaid will discuss the opportunities and advantages of creating a sustainable energy future.We once thought of cities as the antithesis of sustainability - but we now know that cities can be the solution to, not the cause of, our environmental threats.  To take advantage of the opportunities before us in an increasingly urban society, we must be thoughtful, shaping our metropolitan regions to reduce our environmental footprint while creating beautiful, green, inclusive neighborhoods within them.  As people concerned about the health and future of the planet, we must approach this task with energy and humility, paying every bit as much attention to nurturing great people habit as we do to conserving the habitats of other species.

Matthew Porrecca, Associate Principal, BNIM Architecture

Revitalizing Communities By Design

Regenerative design and development could be incredibly simple. It merely requires taking time in a place to uncover stories, discover patterns, find essence, and then add value in any way that improves the capacity of a place to be whole, vital and evolving. Together with our clients and collaborators, we are taking steps to maximize social health, invigorate a sustainable economy and restore natural systems. This workshop explores essential questions that hold the keys to a broad-based shift toward regenerative practice. We’ll share our observations, process, projects, and metrics while drawing participants into a rich dialog of discovery.

Howard Blackson - Placemakers, LLC

In the 20th century, we have spent a lot of money and resources to build cultural wastelands that adversely affects our quality-of-life. With the demise of redevelopment in California, in conjunction with the demonization of Smart Growth, the future relevancy of these places rests upon our ability repurpose these miles and miles of regrettable and devalued strip centers, office parks, and housing tracks. Unfortunately, most citizens oppose any new development due to its potential conflict with their existing community character. Applying an urban design technique that purposely codes for a specific community character, this presentation will outline 21st century urban design tools to build towards walkable, mixed-use neighborhood centers.

With 20 plus years of professional urban design experience, Howard is the Director of Planning for PlaceMakers, LLC, a new economy company of seven (7) principals located across the United States and Canada.  Howard has designed and managed a variety of projects both internationally and in the United States having worked in Asia, Europe and North America. He holds a Master degree in Urban Design from the University of Westminster, London, and a Bachelor degree in Geography from the University of Texas at Austin. Howard is an Accredited Member of the Congress for the New Urbanism and is a member of the U.S. General Services Administration Design Excellence Peer Review Committee. He is an adjunct lecturer at San Diego’s NewSchool of Architecture and Design and on the faculty of University of California San Diego Urban Studies Program.