News

EVENT:  Sustainability remains at the forefront of innovation in the design professions as our urban challenges persist. LEED and other metrics have brought the conversation to the mainstream, and yet there is doubt that such measures can make a big enough difference to solve the problems at hand. Sandy Mendler, Robert L. Thayer and Sim Van der Ryn will explore the future of sustainable design, with a focus on regenerative design solutions. Co-presented with UC Berkeley Extension’s Sustainable Design Program.

FYI: cross post from APA newsletter:

Come to Dallas/Fort Worth for four days of in-depth workshops at this fall’s Planners Training Service, November 9–12, 2011. For our first PTS workshops in Texas, we’re bringing you the biggest ideas in planning — the ideas you need to solve the problems on your desk today. Sign up now!

Focus on Sustainability and Resiliency

http://www.planetizen.com/node/50883

In a recent Linked APA SCP discussion, i wrote the following in response to a query regarding sustainability subdivision ordinances:

If you are still seeking info, try . . .

The Planetizen Story of Sprawl DVD, produced with a cast of distinguished scholars and practitioners, is probably the quickest and easiest way to a comprehensive understanding of the sprawl story.

The “lists” of greenest, etc., compiled from other organizations’ surveys reveals the methodological flaws in most surveys. However, the special issue covers a variety of intriguing topics. It’s worth at least a skim.

for the Tri-County Porland Area was approved. This is a remarkable success. Read the story.

It wasn’t easy, took more than two years and it didn’t please everyone, but a plan to shape the next 50 years of development and preservation in the tri-county Portland area was approved Friday by the state Land Conservation and Development Commission.

Did you know that urban planning is in vogue these days!

Check out this article in the NYT reviews the contributions of Buckminster Fuller to urban planning.

. . . R. Buckminster Fuller [was] one of the 20th century’s most enthusiastic champions of urban innovation.

Though his major projects did not see the light of day, Mr. Fuller was prescient in discussing environmental problems that are now central to green urban planning.

Explore ZETA homes for their innovative approach to Net-Zero via pre-fab modular home production. Manufacturing Facility Tour Event Details – Wednesday, August 24, 2011 (05:30 PM – 07:30 PM),  McClellan CA (Sacrmento Area; map) ZETA Homes Modular Manufacturing Facility Tour and Presentation Please join us for an encore presentation of the ZETA Communities Modular Manufacturing

Virginia Tech’s Metropolitan Institute’s Sustainable Communities Initiative and the concept and work of their Sustainability Lab are high-level, valuable summaries of the state of sustainability planning. They are well worth a few minutes of reading.

The Initiative covers the topics of climate change, design, public health and planning, sustainability planning, transportation, and urban regeneration. Of particular interest is the topic of sustainability planning, the introduction of which provides a good summary of the topic and their approach, including their take on eco-cities.

The work of the Sustainability Lab is contained on another website, and appears to be a rich resource.It has