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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
ROOM CHANGE: Regional Enterprise Tower, 23rd Floor, O'NEILL 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.

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
We are still taking reservations!
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.

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.

Register Now: 2009 9th annual SWPA Smart Growth Conference

"Sustainable Community Essentials: applying the policy and practice"
Thursday, May 21, 2009
9:00 am - 6:15 pm(continental breakfast and lunch included; cash bar during evening reception)
David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown Pittsburgh
Keynote speaker: Douglas Farr, AIA, author of Sustainable Urbanism and founding principal of Farr Associates
Cost: Early Registration: $30. After May 1: $50 (free to elected officials)
Register Now

- 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
- Panel review of sustainable community initiatives around the region
- Workshops tracking new "Essentials of Sustainable Communities" resources

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
Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission
Sustainable Community Development Network, Sustainable Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics

Hear about results of Mon Valley Corridor Study

Tuesday, February 10
6:30 pm
The Carbarn, 5344 Second Avenue, Hazelwood
For more information call Jim Richter, Executive Director, Hazelwood Initiative at 412-421-7234

Come and join public officials, city and county planners, foundation representatives and community members to review this important report on potential development opportunities for Irvine Street and Second Avenue in Hazelwood. Presenters include: Ken Doyno, AIA, of Rothschild Doyno Collaborative and Jerry Paytas, Ph.D., of GSP Consulting.

A Site Study of The Residences Pittsburgh at Three PNC

NEW DATE: Wednesday, February 11, 2009
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Two PNC - First Floor Model, 620 Liberty Avenue, Downtown Pittsburgh
Happy Hour immediately following @ 1902 Tavern in Market Square
Questions? Call 1-800-321-5011 or the District Council Office 724-625-9953.
CORRECTION: If you were registered for the 1/28 date, you are STILL registered with the new date.
Website and registration

All members and friends of the Urban Land Institute are invited to this very unique site study. Join Susan Golomb from PNC Financial Services along with presentations by Oxford Development, Howard Hanna and the Residences Pittsburgh at Three PNC in discussing:
*Challenges of developing mixed use buildings
*Difficulty of managing construction in an urban environment
*Benefits/challenges for LEED certification in high rise buildings

Happy Hour at 1902 Tavern will offer light hors d'oeuvres and a one hour open bar.

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.

Webinar: The Capital Investor's Perspective on Transit-Oriented Development

Thursday, February 19
1:00 pm
90-minute Web session
For more information and to register, click here.

Hear what institutional capital partners look for when making the decision to invest in transit-oriented development, along with the appeal and drawbacks of TOD from an institutional investor's viewpoint. We'll also look at two projects that are being built around new publicly-funded transit systems, which raise new questions regarding new transit line success predictions.

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.
Details and registration now online!

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).

Preserve Pittsburgh Summit

Saturday, March 28
Frick Fine Arts Building, Oakland
8:30 am - 3:00 pm (reception to follow)
www.youngpreservationists.org
Event Flyer

Team up with fellow young people and community residents to make history come alive at the Preserve Pittsburgh Summit. The Young Preservationists Association seeks innovative ideas from young people to create a better future for these important but endangered historic sites. Facilitators will guide discussion groups and on-site tours to develop recommendations for these four historic sites: New Granada Theatre, Hill District; First home of the National Negro Opera Company, Homewood; August Wilson House, Hill District; and Garden Theater, North Side. The Preserve Pittsburgh Summit also features networking opportunities, information on careers in preservation, and a post-conference reception that will show the best YouTubeTM videos on historic preservation.

Resources

Transportation for America (T4America)

Join Sustainable Pittsburgh and a growing number of regional organizations to collaborate with Transportation for America. T4America has formed a broad national coalition of housing, environmental, public health, urban planning, transportation, equitable development, and other organizations. The campaign seeks to align national, state, and local transportation policies with an array of issues like economic opportunity, climate change, energy security, health, housing and community development to chart a new direction for our nation's transportation system.

More

Port Authority Says: Don't just sit there! Tell us what you think

Riders and non-riders alike now have the opportunity to tell Port Authority what they think about detailed evaluations of all 182 Port Authority bus routes that are available online at portauthority.org and tdp.portauthority.org. On either web site, simply click on the “Don’t Just Sit There! Tell Us What You Think” banner to view the route evaluations and provide feedback on the results. An evaluation of every bus route is a key element of the Authority’s Transit Development Plan (TDP). A component of the Port Authority’s Connect ’09 initiative, the TDP is intended to revitalize the Port Authority’s bus service – to better match current demand, to make it simpler, faster, more direct and to implement innovative practices and services.

Housing for the next century: green Historic Enclave project unveiled in East Liberty

Part of ELDI’s Green Plan for East Liberty, the home plans evolved from a design charette with local architects. “We received a PHFA grant to be one of the pilots across the state to think outside the box for sustainable development. We wanted to figure out how you design once, and train a homebuilder on the product type,” says Ernie Hogan, with ELDI, which acquired 20 acres. “Our goal is to keep the cost down and produce with a lower amount of subsidies. We hope to create a cohesive process.”

Minnesota needs 'land reform' to reach a greener future

So, what would give redevelopment a fairer shot? The 100 or so developers and planners attending the workshop offered two dozen ideas. Here are my top three: Find some legal inroad against the disastrous Supreme Court decision of 2005 that severely limited the power of eminent domain for economic development. . .Revamp Minnesota's obsolete tax increment finance (TIF) law. . .Increase incentives for infill (see above) while reducing incentives for sprawl.

Stimulate our cities

Your goal of creating three to four million jobs through federal investment in a number of initiatives -- such as new sources of energy, the repair of roads, bridges and transit, and improvements in health care and education -- is bold and far-reaching. One of the targets of investment you mention is Main Street. By Main Street do you mean what we urbanites mean? If so, you are recognizing an opportunity of gigantic proportions.

Raise the gas tax

Adjusting Americans' tax burden to put more spending power into their own hands makes sense when household budgets are squeezed. A revenue-neutral oil security tax would take every penny collected at the pump and put it right back into the pockets of consumers. Options for doing so include cutting the payroll tax, which disproportionately affects the lowest-paid employees, so workers would see extra money every payday. Alternatively, the government could regularly send a check to everyone over 18.

10 Trends Shaping the Future of Our Communities

Placemaking puts people first. It is a holistic approach based on public involvement, on citizens working to make things better. Capitalizing on communities' often overlooked assets and can-do spirit, placemaking shows how we can advance everyone's health and happiness without spending huge amounts of money.

For information on becoming a Member of Sustainable Pittsburgh, please visit our website.

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Click here to access the 3E Links Archive. Use "Search" on SP's homepage for a great resource.

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 Shiel
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