• WHAT: A conference on "Renewing Sustainable Urbanism: Performance, Potential, and Proposals"
• WHEN: Friday, March 30, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• WHERE: University of Virginia, School of Architecture, Campbell Hall, Room 153

This day-long conference sponsored by the University of Virginia will examine the successes and models used in dealing with declining cities and suburban sprawl and their national implications. Experts will discuss issues from brownfield redevelopment and infill housing to suburban transit-oriented development and smart or green buildings.

Conference topics include:

"The spirit of the conference is one of optimism," said William Lucy, U.Va. professor of urban and environmental planning and co-organizer of the conference. "The national norm in urban development is too much sprawl, too little reinvestment, and overwhelming disparities. Examples exist of more positive projects and trends, and we will emphasize those in this conference."

Roberta Gratz, author of "Cities Back From the Edge: New Life for Downtown" and "The Living City: How America’s Cities are Being Revitalized by Thinking Small in a Big Way," will give the keynote speech at 12:30 p.m.

Morning sessions will include projects and research concerning brownfields redevelopment with Joseph Shilling, director of economic development, International City/County Management Association, and Douglas Porter, author of "The Practice of Sustainable Development" and a report on "Infill Projects in 14 Cities: Market Housing on Infill Sites — The Meaning of Recent Success in Cities."

Speakers at the afternoon session will present policy and project innovations occurring in Montgomery County, Md., and Arlington, Va., as well as creative green development projects in Virginia.

The conference will conclude with a 3:15 p.m. talk by E M Risse, author of "The Shape of the Future," and a panel discussion with conference participants.

The conference is free and open to the public. A box lunch can be reserved for a small fee by contacting Bettie Hall, Planning Department Secretary at (804) 924-1339 or bhh@virginia.edu.

Parking is available in the University Parking Garage adjacent to Memorial Gymnasium on Emmet Street. The School of Architecture, Campbell Hall, is located between Culbreth Theater and the President’s house.

Contact: Jane Ford, (804) 924-4298