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Events

Registration now open!

9th annual Smart Growth Conference

"Sustainable Community Essentials: applying the policy and practice"
Thursday, May 21
9:00 am - 6:15 pm (continental breakfast and lunch included; cash bar during evening reception)
David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown

- 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 information

Resources

Register Now: 2009 9th annual SWPA Smart Growth Conference

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

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

2009 Urban EcoSteward Upcoming Training Events

Winter Gathering
Sunday, February 22
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm (followed by optional vine removal work)
Grand View Scenic Byway Park, R. Paul Manion Bldg (cnr Olympia St and Virginia Ave in Mt Washington)

Soil and Water
Saturday, March 21
10:00 am - Noon
Riverview Park, Activities Building

Free and open to the public
RSVP to Jeff Bergman at jeff@ninemilerun.org or 412-371-8779 x14
Check for directions and updates to times and locations at: www.pittsburghparks.org/ues

2/22 - Learn about the history of, and future plans for, Pittsburgh’s newest regional park followed by a walk to some of its highlights.

3/21 - Learn about different types of soil and how they are affected by water with local soil scientist John Buck.

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

LEED the way to Green Buildings - Part II

An External Commercial Green Building
Monday, March 9
Noon - 4:00 pm
Regional Enterprise Tower, 23rd Floor, O'Neill Room, Downtown
Cost: $15 (includes lunch and workshop materials)
RSVP by March 6 to 412-392-0610 or information@aaccwp.com

Featuring Byron Falchetti, President, Standard Property Corporation: A Highmark Company & Chairman, Green Building Alliance

This workshop, the second of a four-part series, will present the four levels of green building certification, and the evolution of green design & performance measures in the region. Highmark's Silver Certified Data Center will be presented as an example of green design and construction. Who should attend? Professionals from all industries and business levels: attorneys, architects, business consultants, accountants, & construction and trade professionals.

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).

Diversity: Corporate Leadership and Issues for Our Region

Thursday, March 19
3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Kurtzman Room, William Pitt Student Union, University of Pittsburgh, Oakland
Free to attend. To register contact: ethics@gspia.pitt.edu or 412-648-1336

Featuring Keith Caver, Vice President and Practice Leader, Executive Development, Executive Solutions Group, Development Dimensions International (DDI) and President of Caver Consulting, LLC.

This public presentation will focus on corporate strategies for encouraging diversity as well as personal strategies for career management and development. The panel discussion will focus on strengthening SWPA through diversity and leadership development. Caver is the co-author of Leading in Black and White: Working Across the Racial Divide in Corporate America and one of the leading authorities on corporate diversity and leadership.

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.

2009 Farm to Table Conference

Keep it Real, Keep it Local
April 3-4, 2009
David L. Lawrence Convention Center
Cost: $25
Buy tickets to the conference or the food tasting before March 1 and receive a free subscription to TABLE Magazine.
More information

Keynote by Dr. Devra Davis, Ph.D., MPH of the Center for Environmental Oncology, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.

This Pittsburgh-based educational health conference is aimed at helping Western Pennsylvania consumers understand the benefits of eating locally grown food and connect directly with local food producers. Conference highlights include:
- Local Food Tasting on Friday night
- Outdoor Farmers Market
- Expanded Health Expo
- Live Food Demonstrations by Chefs and Dieticians
- Local Experts addressing Health Topics and Local Food Resources
- Commemorative Poster

Engineering Sustainability 2009

April 19-21, 2009
David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown
Conference webpage
Questions? Contact Gena Kovalcik at 412-624-9698 or gmk9@pitt.edu

Conference Topical Areas:
- Green building design and construction
- Greening the indoor environment
- Sustainable distributed power for the built environment
- Sustainable urban drinking water, stormwater & wastewater infrastructure
- Design of more sustainable transportation grids
- Using principles of sustainability to foster innovation and economic development

Resources

Transportation for America

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.

County moves fast to help retrain laid-off employees

"This is a very targeted approach to getting people jobs in local industry, which for years has told us that there are jobs for people with specific skills in the region," said Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato. The program offers free tuition and fees at Community College of Allegheny County for five programs identified as high-priority fields where people can get back into the work force quickly. To be eligible, participants must live in Allegheny County, have a letter from their employers stating they were laid off and apply for financial aid.

More

Global Warming Solutions Included in Transportation 2035

In 2035, 9 million people will be more efficient and less stressed in traveling the San Francisco Bay Area if all goes according to plan. Transportation 2035 is one of the nation’s first regional transportation plans to make reducing carbon emissions integral to such a plan. This regional plan will accommodate a 26 percent population increase compared to 1990, improve their transportation, while reducing CO2 emissions by 14 percent compared to 1990.

5 Great Green Ways US Cities Are Leading by Example

The last couple of years, community groups, companies, and government agencies have all been putting forward initiatives to “go green”. Some of these initiatives go back almost 30 years, proving you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Some use carrots and incent residents to go green by giving some green incentives. Other measures might seem more restrictive, banning guilty pleasures, but hey, they do it for our collective good. . .

Wanted: Sustainability Manager for Allegheny County

The Sustainability Manager reports directly to the County Executive and is responsible for the coordination and implementation of the “Allegheny Green” initiative, a comprehensive approach to promote sustainable practices within County government and through countywide policies and programs. The goal of the new initiative is not only to reduce the County’s ecological footprint, but also to encourage residents, businesses, and municipalities to implement sustainable practices where environmental social equity, and economic interests are advanced.

Bus stops that say: 'Go away'

It was about the transit stops at the mall, located somewhere between insulting and dangerous. . .I'm still reasonably spry and can dodge the cars circling the mall like any good Golden Triangle jaywalker, but the bus stops and the T station are about 450 feet from the Macy's door and on the wrong side of the mall's perimeter roadway. That makes it a bear for the elderly and infirm, particularly in the slippy time of year.

2009 Environmental Policy Essay Contest

“If you were President Obama’s Sustainability Director, what sustainability policies would you propose?” Deadline for entry: March 16, 2009.

Do we want a green Cleveland Convention Center/Medical Mart?

“Sometimes lost in the debate of should Cleveland build a new convention center (and where), is what type of building can transform the region by offering a vision of what buildings can be in the 21st century?" GreenCityBlueLake Director David Beach writes here. "How has green building technology helped some cities — most notably, Pittsburgh — create forward-thinking convention centers instead of giant, single-purpose, energy intensive boxes?”

Pittsburgh's Green Condominium Community Leads Local Lifestyle Movement

"This project is unique to Pittsburgh because of its wide variety of environmentally sustainable materials and energy efficient products, not seen in other green communities in the area. . ." said Ben Bonham, president, Bonham Asset Management, LLC.

Green Companies Do Better During Downturn: Study

In 16 of 18 industries included in the review, businesses deemed "sustainability focused" outperformed industry peers over three- and six-month periods and were "well protected from value erosion," the paper's authors said. . ."Our findings suggest," the authors said, "investors may reward 'true' sustainability focused companies" that demonstrate an emphasis on "long-term health rather than short-term gains, strong corporate governance, sound risk management practices (and) a history of investing in green innovations."

New Wal-Mart CEO Says Sustainability Drive Will Continue at Full Speed

"No matter what your job is — even from our hourly associates to our frontline supervisors to our senior leadership — sustainability is an opportunity to demonstrate leadership," Duke said. "You will see that the leaders that get ahead in Wal-Mart will be the ones who demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. You won't be able, in the future, to be viewed in the same way if you put this on the back burner."

City Planning Commission gets look at New Orleans' first master plan

The master plan will replace an outdated, complex zoning law and address urban housing, wetlands preservation, and transit, among other things. New Orleans is finally "poised for sustained growth," according to the plan's lead consultant.

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 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