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Events

Sustainability and Smart Growth Brown Bag Forum

FEATURING: Tom Klevan, Coordinator of Regional Transit
Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission

Friday, February 6
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Regional Enterprise Tower, 26th Floor, Davis Room
No fee to attend. Bring a bag lunch. Desserts provided.
To register, email: info@sustainablepittsburgh.org or call 412-258-6642

Come meet and hear from Tom Klevan who is leading SPC's efforts to coordinate public transportation in the 10-county region. Tom will review emerging regional transit opportunities as emphasized in The Region's Plan (Project Region). Among intriguing initiatives, SPC is presently developing a regional Transit-Oriented Development assessment to identify success factors and locations with the greatest promise for leveraging transit service in support of sustainable community development.

Save the Date

2009 9th annual SWPA Smart Growth Conference

"Sustainable Community Essentials: applying the policy and practice"
Thursday, May 21, 2009

- Keynote: Douglas Farr, AIA, author of Sustainable Urbanism and founding principal of Farr Associates, an architecture and planning firm regarded as one of the most sustainable design practices in the country. Having a mission to create sustainable human environments, Farr Associate's unique niche is in applying the principles of LEED at the scale of the neighborhood.

- Update on the Federal Stimulus Package and PennDOT Smart Transportation initiative

- Workshops tracking new "Essentials of Sustainable Communities" resources

- Insights to community sustainability initiatives around the region

Click here for more

Events Continued

Resources

SP facilitating transportation to DC - Capitol Hill Summit

Revitalizing Older Cities
A free summit on Capitol Hill
February 11-12, 2009
Washington DC
There are still a few seats left. Reserve yours today!
Details below.

As related follow-up to the Transit-Oriented Development symposium convened last week, please consider attending the upcoming Revitalizing Cities Summit. This is a remarkable opportunity to represent the Pittsburgh region's commitment to revitalizing our existing communities as an express strategy for regional sustainability. The Summit's focus will be on a new agenda for transportation, housing, water, workforce and economic development, and green jobs all linked to promoting sustainable development.

To facilitate a Southwestern PA delegation and defray costs, motor coach transportation to and from is being offered at $50.00 payable to Sustainable Pittsburgh on-line at www.sustainablepittsburgh.org. To reserve your seat, email lbutler@sustainablepittsburgh.org by Monday, January 26.

Presented by Northeast-Midwest Institute together with the Brookings Institution, Smart Growth America, and PolicyLink, the Summit venues are Union Station and the Cannon Office Building. This proximity and an agenda featuring access to many of the nation's leaders, provides a not-to-miss opportunity to reach the new Congress and administration.

There is no fee to attend the Summit (includes program, reception and two lunches). Summit pre-registration per the links below is required. Attendees are on their own for overnight accommodations in D.C., with the Hotel Liaison holding a block of rooms at $239.

The bus will depart from the Regional Enterprise Tower on Wed. Feb. 11 at 6:00 am. returning on Thurs. Feb. 12 at approx. 9:30 pm.

To register for the Summit, send name, address, and email address to glewis@nemw.org or call 202-464-4005. More information is found at: http://www.nemw.org/ROC_Summit.htm

Sustainability and Smart Growth Brown Bag Forum

FEATURING: Tom Klevan, Coordinator of Regional Transit
Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission

Friday, February 6
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Regional Enterprise Tower, 26th Floor, Davis Room
No fee to attend. Bring a bag lunch. Desserts provided.
To register, email: info@sustainablepittsburgh.org or call 412-258-6642

Come meet and hear from Tom Klevan who is leading SPC's efforts to coordinate public transportation in the 10-county region. Tom will review emerging regional transit opportunities as emphasized in The Region's Plan (Project Region). Among intriguing initiatives, SPC is presently developing a regional Transit-Oriented Development assessment to identify success factors and locations with the greatest promise for leveraging transit service in support of sustainable community development.

Save the Date: 2009 9th annual SWPA Smart Growth Conference

"Sustainable Community Essentials: applying the policy and practice"
Thursday, May 21, 2009

- Keynote: Douglas Farr, AIA, author of Sustainable Urbanism and founding principal of Farr Associates, an architecture and planning firm regarded as one of the most sustainable design practices in the country. Having a mission to create sustainable human environments, Farr Associate's unique niche is in applying the principles of LEED at the scale of the neighborhood.

- Update on the Federal Stimulus Package and PennDOT Smart Transportation initiative

- Workshops tracking new "Essentials of Sustainable Communities" resources

- Insights to community sustainability initiatives around the region

Today's difficult times are placing extraordinary strains on our region's communities. Rising costs of all types are putting a tight squeeze on municipalities and residents. Expectations and needs are also increasing. The policy and practice of sustainable development offers solutions. Come learn how your community, municipality, or county can put sustainability to work to save taxpayer dollars and avoid costs, meet needs equitably, conserve resources, and attract investment. Sustainability is central to professional management of local government and a collective imperative for Southwestern Pennsylvania's competitiveness and quality of life. Learn how to accelerate your community's success on environmental stewardship, social equity, economic development as well as fiscal viability and organizational capacity to learn, innovate and adapt.

Presented by:
Community Design Center of Pittsburgh
Local Government Academy
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development
Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development
Smart Growth Partnership of Westmoreland County
Sustainable Community Development Network, Sustainable Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics

City and URA to hold public meeting for $20 million grant application

Friday, January 30
3:00 pm
Wherrett Room, 13th floor, 200 Ross St., Downtown

The City of Pittsburgh and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) will hold a public meeting to discuss the contents of a $20 million application to the state's Neighborhood Stabilization Program. The public is invited to attend. URA housing staff will discuss plans for the use of the funds, should the proposal be accepted. The State of Pennsylvania was awarded nearly $60 million in Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This is a one-time only program funded by HUD through the National Housing Recovery Act of 2008. As part of this act, HUD has allocated $3.92 billion nationwide to be used to address blighted and foreclosed properties. The state's Department of Community and Economic Development is now accepting applications for their share of the funds. Eligible activities include establishing financing mechanisms for purchase and redevelopment of foreclosed homes and residential properties; purchasing and rehabilitating homes and residential properties abandoned or foreclosed upon; establishing land banks for foreclosed homes; demolishing blighted structures; and redeveloping demolished or vacant properties. Proposals are due on February 6, 2009.

Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds, if granted, will be used to advance acquisition, demolition, rehabilitation, and new construction activities in the City of Pittsburgh. Projects are located in Beechview, Downtown, East Liberty, Garfield, Hill District, Northside, and Sheraden. The URA has been working with community development corporations and other housing developers to identify priority projects and create a strategy for using funds. If awarded, funds must be spent within 18 months. The City of Pittsburgh was also awarded $2 million directly from HUD, which will be used for demolition of condemned properties in numerous City neighborhoods and to provide new rental housing opportunities for households at or below 50% of area median income.

Beyond Boom to Bust: The Changing World of Energy

Focus the Nation Teach-In, Keynote Address
Wednesday, February 4
7:00 pm
McConomy Auditorium, Carnegie Mellon University
More information

We'll be talking about 2008 for a long time - record boom to record bust in the span of a few short months. On top of that, there are the ongoing issues of environment, energy security, and economic prosperity high on the list of global policy makers. What lies ahead as we go into 2009 and beyond? What do the events of 2008 mean to the evolution of energy commodities and the repercussions to the North American oil and gas Industry?

Please join us in hearing Peter Tertzakian discuss the changes that have led us to the current situation; explore the dynamics of today's energy commodities; offer go-forward perspectives on the sustainability of trends and prices; and interpret what it all means to North America's upstream oil and gas industry.

Best selling author of "A Thousand Barrels a Second," Peter Tertzakian is the Chief Energy Economist of ARC Financial Corporation, one of the world's leading energy investment firms. Peter's background in geophysics, economics and finance, combined with his entrepreneurial spirit, helped him rise from the trenches of hands-on oil exploration fieldwork to become an internationally recognized, top-ranked expert in energy matters.

Public Informational Meeting re: EPA Consent Decree and Sewer Overflows

EAST
Thursday, February 5
10:00 am - 11:30 am
Holiday Inn - Monroeville, 2750 Mosside Blvd. 15146

No RSVP necessary. For more information, contact the ALCOSAN Public Relations Department at 412-734-8733.

Enhancing effectiveness of nonprofit organizations in PGH

Thursday, February 5
1:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Point Park University, University Center, GRW Theater
RSVP to Amy Thomas at thomasa@pghfdn.org (accepting RSVPs by e-mail only.)
Please note in your RSVP whether you are planning to attend a workshop and, if so, which one. Each workshop is limited to 50 participants so please RSVP soon so that you can get your top choice.
Conference Agenda

This event explores emerging issues and cutting edge methodologies for enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of nonprofit organizations in Pittsburgh. The results of the Forbes Funds study “The Nonprofit Sector: An Economic and Community Asset” will be released and additional research and best practices will be highlighted through a series of workshops presented by nonprofit organizations. Click here to view workshop descriptions.

8th Annual Seminar for Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises

"Promoting Success"
Thursday, February 5
8:00 am - 1:00 pm; Registration at 7:30 am
IBEW Conference Center, 5 Hot Metal Street, South Side
Free to attend; hot buffet breakfast provided
Limited free parking is available at the parking lot adjacent to the IBEW Hall and in Garages 1 and 4. Free parking is available on a first come first served basis.
Contact: Rhonda Sears at rsears1@pghboe.net.

The Keynote Speaker is Dr. Alex Johnson, President, Community College of Allegheny County and he will be addressing the planned K. Leroy Irvis Science Building and the CCAC free tuition to unemployed county residents who are seeking retraining and an upgrade of skills to help them quickly re-enter the work force. Also, 30 exhibitors from various federal, state and local government agencies and other business assistance providers will be participating in the networking portion of the event. Attendees can meet one-on-one with the exhibitors to discuss business opportunities with the agencies and identify types of assistance available through the business assistance providers.

Effects of TOD on Housing, Parking, and Travel

Telephone conference
Thursday, February 5
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
FREE
Registration required to receive the Dial-in information.
To register visit: www.NTIONLINE.com, and click on the T-Class heading, and then on the title of this course. The log-in is at the bottom of the page.
Contact: Susan Greenstone, 732-932-1700 ext. 219 or sgrnston@rutgers.edu
Event flyer

The National Transit Institute is pleased to announce the scheduling of this NEW T-Class. This offering will be of interest to transit agencies; the development community; transportation, land-use and project planners; and federal, state, and local decision-makers contemplating transit-oriented development.

Campaign to Save Irwin Run Valley: Public meetings

Thursday, February 12
7:00 pm
The Cabin at North Park

Wednesday, February 18
1:00 pm
The Cabin at North Park

More information

The North Area Environmental Council (NAEC) has announced a Matching Funds Challenge to protect a large tract of ecologically valuable land located next to North Park known as Irwin Run Valley. To learn more about the Irwin Run valley and how to help protect it, two presentations have been scheduled, sponsored by the Friends of North Park. Roy Kraynyk, the Executive Director of ALT, will be presenting at these meetings, both of which will be held at the Cabin (formerly known as the Boy Scout Cabin) located near the intersection of Babcock Boulevard on Ingomar Road. Two hikes are scheduled on different days as well.

The Story of 101 Urban Salvations Comes to Pittsburgh

Monday, February 16
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Point Park's University Center
Fee: $20 (includes the lecture, a panel discussion, and a reception)
For tickets call 412-391-4144 or visit www.cdcp.org

Esteemed thought-leader, author, and Harvard professor Margaret Crawford recently convened an urban planning studio using the premise: "Cambridge Could Be A Better Place to Live If...." Her students canvassed the city and interviewed as many different people as possible. The result of their effort is 101 Urban Salvations, which presents innovative and visionary proposals that take a small-scale, accumulated approach rather than a massive retooling of the city. In these times of economic restraint and reduced expectations, this approach is responsive and flexible, and isn't an all or nothing method. Margaret Crawford will present 101 Urban Salvations at on Monday, February 16th as the second of this season's Design Excellence Lecture Series.

Relationship Building for Public Health Advocacy: Policymakers, the Media, and Community Partners

Thursday, February 19
8:30 am - 4:45 pm; Registration begins at 8:00 am
Phipps Garden Center, 1059 Shady Avenue, 15232
Free, continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Registration required. Space limited.
http://www.pophtc.pitt.edu/phaw/0209.htm

Learn to advocate confidently to advance public and community health. This workshop offers a fantastic opportunity to learn advocacy techniques and skills and put them into practice! Participants will meet with policymakers; engage with media representatives; and learn from best practices in public health collaboration. This workshop will give you the skills and tools to:
• Understand your role as an advocate.
• Target your advocacy to maximize impact.
• Develop relationships with policymakers.
• Work effectively with the media.
• Build collaborations with likely (and unlikely) community partners.

CROSSING THE AISLE TO CLEANER AIR: How the Bipartisan “Project 88” Transformed Environmental Policy

Thursday, February 19
Program: 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm • Cocktail Reception: 7:00–8:00 p.m.
Senator John Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh
The History Center will be open for your exploration during the reception.
Parking is available at the Alco lot, 12th and Smallman streets, across the street from the History Center.
Please register online by February 9, 2009: www.iop.pitt.edu/project88.
Event Flyer

Attend a panel discussion on the history and future of environmental policy in the United States.
Opening Remarks and Introductions:
Teresa Heinz Kerry, chair, Heinz Endowments and Heinz Family Philanthropies

Panelist and Audience Discussion:
Fred Krupp, president, Environmental Defense Fund (1985-present)
Andrew McElwaine, president and CEO, Conservancy of Southwest Florida; former legislative aide to U.S. Senator John Heinz (invited)
Russ Shay, director of public policy, Land Trust Alliance; former legislative aide to U.S. Senator Timothy Wirth
Robert N. Stavins, Albert Pratt Professor of Business and Government, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University; staff director, Project 88

Doing business in a way that is good for people, the planet, and profits

Distinguished Lecture Series in Environmental Science, Technology, and Policy
Thursday, February 26
4:30 pm
Adamson Wing Auditorium, 136A Baker Hall, Carnegie Mellon University
Featuring: James E. Rogers, Chairman, President and CEO, Duke Energy; Charlotte, North Carolina
View event flyer

Additional events include:
William A. Wallace, Founder and President
Wallace Futures Group
Steamboat Springs, Colorado

"Sustainability: the tipping point"
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
4:30 pm -- Adamson Wing Auditorium, 136A Baker Hall

James E. Rohr, Chairman, President and CEO
PNC Financial Services Group
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

"Thinking green: How PNC applies sustainability to create value for stakeholders"
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
4:30 pm -- Adamson Wing Auditorium, 136A Baker Hall

Solar Panel Workshop

March 16-20, 2009
Conservation Consultants, Inc., 64 S. 14th St., South Side
Space is limited
For more information call CCI at 412-431-4449 and enter ext. 200 or 240.
More information

CCI’s 5-day solar workshop is created for contractors, electricians, sales reps, entrepreneurs & career-changing professionals new to solar business, and covers solar-electric (PV) equipment, system design, installation, estimating, solar industry economics, business models, and career paths. It also includes the start for NABCEP's new Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge of PV Systems (the industry- standard general-knowledge certificate for people entering the field).

Resources

Transportation for America: INVEST IN A NEW DIRECTION

Kick-starting the economy is Congress' number one priority. As they consider an economic recovery package, we need to raise our voices and make sure they use this moment to chart a new direction for our nation's transportation system. We can help all Americans reduce their expenses and save money, free ourselves from oil dependency, and create clean, green long-term jobs - all by investing in a 21st Century transportation system. Send a strong message to your representative and senators: Make sure the economic stimulus package makes the highest-impact transportation investments.

Congress Sending Wrong Signals to State DOTs in Stimulus Draft

This is consistent with what I find when I talk to people at State DOT B. Congress's dangling of billions in front of the politicians has created a feeding frenzy, with the people at the top desperately trying to prove that they can spend every penny, and imposing on staff to create list after list without ever knowing what the rules of the game are. All sense of standards and reason is out the window.

More

Another Last Gasp for the Mon Fayette Expressway?

So according to O’Neill, Biehler “is looking at light-rail projects and inter-city passenger rail, at giving people more travel choices, at making investments that will produce good sustainable benefits. He’d like to help the household that makes six car trips a day cut that to four.”

Stressed transit operating budgets need special attention.

The transit investment is a reflection of the need for a multimodal transportation system. The bill requires that these funds "be invested in ready-to-go projects" with the goal to "put shovels in the ground within 90 days of enactment." That might mean transit infrastructure, which often depends on a long permitting process. The problem is that transit operating budgets, which are plunging in Minnesota and elsewhere, will get short shrift.

Sustainability Comes to the White House

The term “green” was rightly included this month in the 2009 List of Words to Be Banished from the Queen's English for Mis-use, Over-use and General Uselessness. We must be careful that “sustainable” does not become similarly wasted, because sustainability is the next evolutionary step for humanity. It should be clearly defined for every schoolchild and adult, because — while it is critical to our survival — it takes us beyond survival of the fittest. Or, as Obama put it: “a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous.”

Obama's message of hope steers local forum

More than 150 people came to East Liberty Presbyterian Church yesterday to discuss a range of topics, from racism in education institutions, prisons, health care and the lesbian, gay bisexual and transgendered community to using fair trade as an economic generator in neighborhoods.

Stalemate with PennDOT kills one of region's biggest projects

After more than seven years of planning, Simon Property Group of Indianapolis has notified local, county and state officials that the firm has decided to "withdraw from development activity" and spend no more money on the project that was to have brought a sprawling mix of retail, office and residential development to an 80-acre tract at Route 228 and Interstate 79 in Cranberry.

How to Spend a Trillion Dollars

In this four-alarm economic emergency (nearly 2 million jobs have vanished in four months), it's easy to forget that shovel-ready doesn't necessarily mean shovel-worthy. Many projects are shovel-ready now only because they failed to clear the spectacularly low bar Congress set for pork in the past. Even if we're freaking out about today — and we should be — we can't afford to leverage tomorrow to build the infrastructure equivalent of buried banknotes, not when the deficit is a record $1.2 trillion and the debt a staggering $10.6 trillion.

Ten Steps to Sustainable Marketing in an Uncertain Economy

Now, after nearly a decade of build-up, sustainability and "green" were the issues du jour for much of 2007 and 2008; but with the recent market crash, the national dialogue has turned more toward keeping a roof over your head than keeping a green roof over your head. So what's a sustainable brand to do? Here are a few strategies to keep you afloat during these tumultuous times.

German renewable sector aims to triple market share

"Energy from wind, biomass, hydro, solar and geothermal sources will be the overriding element of our power supply," he said in a statement issued ahead of a Berlin news conference. "We will be turning power production upside down. Conventional power plants will complement the supply only on request. Fuel imports and carbon dioxide emissions will be cut."

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Sustainable Pittsburgh affects decision-making in the Pittsburgh Region to integrate economic prosperity, social equity and environmental quality bringing sustainable solutions to communities and businesses.

Sustainable Pittsburgh benefits from support in 2009 from:

Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
Dollar Bank
The Giant Eagle Foundation
The Heinz Endowments
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Elsie H. Hillman Foundation
Richard King Mellon Foundation
Dylan Todd Simonds Foundation
University of Pittsburgh


Special thanks to the SP Members

Sustainable Pittsburgh
425 Sixth Avenue, Suite 1335
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 258-6642
fax (412) 258-6645
E-mail SP