For Press Only
Subject: Smart Growth Innovations Foster Stronger Communities
From: Michele Warren, Local Government Commission
mkwarren@lgc.org, 916-448-1198 x308
National conference examines connections between smart growth, economic growth and healthy communities
Two-thirds of development expected to be on the ground in 2050 is not yet built, which means the potential for change in communities - and local economies - nationwide is profound. And with today's economic difficulties making success hard in cities across the country, developers and communities alike are finding that smart growth innovations can create healthy, vibrant places, give people greater opportunity and choice, and provide effective avenues to make local projects work.
Many of the nation's experts and leaders with successes addressing the economic, environmental and social challenges of creating more livable, sustainable communities will converge on San Diego for the 11th annual New Partners for Smart Growth Conference - the largest and most comprehensive smart growth/sustainable communities conference held in the U.S. each year - to explore these critical issues, and showcase strategies and opportunities for greater collaboration among smart growth, equitable development and environmental justice advocates.
The annual event will be held February 2-4, 2012, at the San Diego Sheraton Hotel and Marina. "The New Partners Conference begins its second decade by heading west, back where it started - San Diego, one of the most livable and sustainable major metropolitan areas in the nation," said Judy Corbett, the executive director of the Local Government Commission, a nonprofit, membership organization based in California, which organizes the annual national conference. "The San Diego region is an innovative pioneer in the smart growth movement, and provides inspiring models for creating transit-oriented, compact development, transforming downtowns and ethnically diverse, older neighborhoods, designing walkable, mixed-use urban villages, and fostering the emergence of leading high-tech, telecommunications and cleantech businesses."At the conference, more than 1,600 local officials, smart growth professionals and community leaders from across the country will get a close look at what the San Diego region is doing to tackle these issues when many of the nation's experts and advocates who are creating more livable, sustainable communities elsewhere.
The New Partners for Smart Growth conference spans three days and covers cutting-edge smart growth issues, the latest research, implementation tools and strategies, successful case studies and new policies. Perhaps most importantly, the event also offers attendees the opportunity to network and coordinate with their peers as well as practitioners from many different disciplines. "At the conference, leaders from across the U.S. will tackle the tough challenges of our day and demonstrate smart growth solutions that support strong economies, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, assure a healthy population, foster more equitable development, and expand transportation and housing options for all Americans," Corbett said.
With a dynamic mix of more than 400 speakers, 100 sessions and 13 tours of local model projects, the event will draw a national audience of local elected officials and city and county staff; state and federal agency leaders; professionals in planning, transportation, public health, landscape architecture, architecture, housing, parks and recreation, public works and crime prevention; realtors, developers, builders and bankers; advocates for equity and environmental justice, youth, older adults, and walking and biking; labor representatives; school leaders and staff; and environmentalists.The conference has more than 200 sponsors and cosponsors, including the U.S. EPA, Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention, the National Association of REALTORS®, the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, and leading professional organizations and private companies.
For more details about the conference agenda, supporters and special features: NewPartners.org
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