Promoting Regional Equity Through Smart Growth

Saturday, May 31, 2003

8:00 A.M.

Registration

William Penn Ballroom – Lower Lobby Level

8:30 A.M.

Welcoming Remarks

William Penn Ballroom

Honorable Allen Kukovich

Senate of Pennsylvania, District 39

8:45 A.M.

Keynote/Champions of Sustainability

john a. powell, The Kirwan Institute for Race and Ethnicity, Ohio State University

Plenary Panel

Dr. Larry Davis

University of Pittsburgh, School of Social Work

Lee Hipps*

Urban League of Pittsburgh

Allen Kukovich

State Senator

Shakura Sabur

East End Neighborhood Forum

10:15 A.M.

Concurrent Sessions

I.

Equitable Development

Sternwheeler Room – Lower Lobby Level

What are the causes of uneven development, the link between cities and suburbs, and costs and benefits associated with growth?  Participants will discuss tools, strategies and campaigns nationally, regionally, and locally to create policy options for zoning, compact mixed use development, public transportation investment, incentives for infill development, and tax policies to reduce fiscal disparities.

Bret Baronak

Indiana County Development Department of Planning & Development

Anna Breinich*

Pennsylvania Environmental Council

Ken Montlack

First Suburbs Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio

Bob Reppe

City of Pittsburgh Planning Department

II.

Job Dispersal and Employment Access

Riverboat Room – Lower Lobby Level

Find out how a public transportation system can achieve greater access to employment, and be used to manage Smart Growth.  Are there opportunities for new incentives for building affordable housing near jobs and transit-oriented development?

Jerry Jones

Center for Community Change, Washington, D.C.

Ayanna King*

Pittsburgh Transportation Equity Project

Eugenio Matta

Hispanic/Latino Center

Ron Painter

Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board

III.

Affordable Housing and Changing Households

Three Rivers Room – Lower Lobby Level

Regions around the nation are improving the quality, quantity and location of affordable housing to achieve diverse, mixed-income communities.  What are innovative policy options to promote an inclusive, equitable region and neighborhoods to meet affordable housing needs?

Carla Frost

National City Bank

Jack Johnston

Jaxon Development

William Schwab*

Local Initiative Support Corporation

Craig Stevens

PA Low Income Housing Coalition

*  Facilitator

IV.

Land Use and Health

Grant Suite A - Mezzanine Level

How can regional land use investments and policies contribute to improving neighborhood conditions and health?  Participants will discuss how urban design, transportation and economic development planning, and land use can improve lives, communities, and health and protect the environment.

Dr. Ellen Dorsey

Rachel Carson Institute, Chatham College

Alisa Harris

PA Department of Environmental Protection

Dr. Stephen Thomas

University of Pittsburgh, Center for Minority Health

Alex Graziani

Smart Growth Partnership of Westmoreland County

12:00

Luncheon

Panel Oval Room - Mezzanine Level

1:00 P.M.

Building on the Lessons:  Policy and Organizing Opportunities

William Penn Ballroom

Presented through summary discussions from the four workshops, this session will identify potential policy and organizing opportunities for capacity building, connecting partners and alliances, and turning ideas into action.

Workshop Reporters: Anna Breinich, Ayanna King, William Schwab, Alex Graziani

Session Facilitator: Susan Hockenberry Local Government Academy

2:45 P.M.

Land Use, Equity and the Future of Southwestern Pennsylvania

William Penn Ballroom

Sustainable urban design is proving effective in making communities more livable. Sharing observations on the day's proceedings, Don Carter will provide a national perspective on opportunities for Southwestern Pennsylvania to advance best Smart Growth practices for sustaining and revitalizing livable and equitable communities.  What is the prognosis for applying Smart Growth principles to    stimulate the market and attract resources to existing communities in our region?  Is appreciation   growing for the merits of regional cooperation and strategies for land use planning?  Based on insights to the 2002 Public Transportation Vision Plan for Southwestern Pennsylvania (recently commissioned by the Port Authority of Allegheny County and Southwestern PA Commission), what are the benefits of linking transportation and other infrastructure investment to land use and priorities for equitable development?

Donald Carter Urban Design Associates