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Events

Final Days to Register: 9th annual Smart Growth Conference

Thursday, May 21
9:00 am - 5:00 pm (continental breakfast and lunch included; reception to follow)
David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown Pittsburgh
Keynote speaker: Douglas Farr, AIA, author of Sustainable Urbanism and founding principal of Farr Associates
Cost: $50 (Bring a friend for just $15 more!) Elected officials attend for free.

Over 320 individuals are pre-registered for this conference, and there's still room for more! Visit the conference web page for details.

Engineering Sustainable Solutions for Your Community

Thursday, June 18
8:30 am - 4:30 pm (Registration begins at 7:30 am)
Regional Learning Alliance at Cranberry Woods, Cranberry, PA
Cost: $90 for C4S, ASCE, EWRI, and AEI Members; $120 for Non-Members (Breakfast and Lunch Provided)
For more information, visit http://www.c4spgh.org/know.html

Resources

8th annual Great Outdoors Week

May 15 - 24, 2009
Various times
Various Locations
Over 60 activities scheduled during this ten-day celebration!! Call 412-258-6646 or visit www.wallsarebad.com.

It's that time of year again! Great Outdoors Week highlights the many outdoor amenities available in Southwestern Pennsylvania—everything from our rivers, to parks, to trails and more! During this special week, tons of activities are available for the sampling, including bicycling, hiking, paddling, and bird watching—-all hosted by local outdoor groups in the region!

Be sure to check out the four signature events scheduled during Great Outdoors Week, in addition to numerous other activities. Individuals of all skill levels are invited to participate.

Signature events:
5/15 - "Learn to Row" Indoor Session
5/16 - Venture Outdoors Festival
5/17 - Pedal Pittsburgh
5/24 - Rachel's Sustainable Feast – Sampling the Best of Western Pennsylvania

For a complete listing of events (more are being added every day!) and to learn how to get involved, call 412-258-6646 or visit www.wallsarebad.com, SWPA's resource for outdoor recreation.

Great Decisions: The Arctic

Wednesday, May 20
Lite Fare Reception – 5:30 pm
Program – 6:00-8:00 pm
Please Note: Venue Change
National Aviary, 700 Arch Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
More information

What impact will rising global temperatures have on an environment already in serious flux? Additionally, the Arctic has been the center of a number of interesting environmental studies and has been a development target for many different nations competing to have a stake in the future of the area.

"Great Decisions" is eight facilitated discussions designed to promote informal give-and-take among participants in exploring all sides of an issue. As a guide to discussion, the Foreign Policy Association's (FPA) annual Great Decisions book is used, which highlights eight global and regional policy issues with background and arguments from various sides to stimulate discussion, debate, and a better understanding of the challenges facing policy-makers. The Great Decisions 2009 book may be purchased at a Council discount for $20.

Last week to register: 2009 9th annual SWPA Smart Growth Conference

"Sustainable Community Essentials: applying the policy and practice"
Thursday, May 21
9:00 am - 5:00 pm (continental breakfast and lunch included; reception to follow)
David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown Pittsburgh
Keynote speaker: Douglas Farr, AIA, author of Sustainable Urbanism and founding principal of Farr Associates
Cost: $50 (Bring a friend for just $15 more!) Elected officials attend for free.
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 Associates' unique niche is in applying the principles of LEED at the scale of the neighborhood.

- Update by James Ritzman, Deputy Secretary for Planning, PennDOT, on the Federal Stimulus Package and PennDOT Smart Transportation Initiative

- Panel review of sustainable community initiatives around the region featuring:
Lindsay Baxter, Sustainability Coordinator, City of Pittsburgh
Jason Dailey, Cranberry Township
Mark Alan Hughes, Director of Sustainability, City of Philadelphia
Murray Rust, Montgomery & Rust, Inc.
Jesse Jon Salensky, Vandergrift Improvement Program
Nathan Wildfire, Sustainable Policy Coordinator, East Liberty Development, Inc.

- Workshops tracking new "Essentials of Sustainable Communities" resources (14 topics from which to choose via conference registration)

- Distribution of the SWPA Sustainable Community Rapid Assessment worksheet

- Reception featuring table displays by lead organizations per the 14 Essentials of Sustainable Communities

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

Sponsored by:
Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir, P.C.
Michael Baker Corporation
Bombardier

Sustainable Community Development Essentials: Tools, Strategies, and Case Studies

Thursday, June 4
9:00 am - Noon (8:30 am registration)
Avalon Borough Municipal Building, 640 California Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15202
Fee: $35 per person (Includes registration, handouts, light refreshments, and certificate of attendance)
Members of the NEOC Alumni Association receive a $10 discount.
More information

This seminar will review practical tools, strategies and case studies for pursuing the process of sustainability in municipal government in Southwestern Pennsylvania. No matter the “stage” a community may find itself in—whether in need of redevelopment, in the stage of figuring out how to maintain a current trajectory, or in a stage of managing growth in smart ways, the framework of sustainable development offers a practical compass for getting this right today and in the future. Through this session participants will:
- Experience how sustainability principles are tools that support local government decision making.
- Learn strategies for introducing & adopting sustainability guidelines for your municipality.
- Explore case studies of how other early adopters have benefited from implementing policies and programs to advance sustainable development.
- Consider tools and strategies for sustainable approaches to energy, resource management, waste and recycling, green procurement, human resources, etc. and for enhancing governance systems including the budget and capital improvement process.

Instructors:
Court Gould, Sustainable Pittsburgh
Susan Hockenberry, Local Government Academy
Matthew Mehalik, Sustainable Pittsburgh
John Trant, Cranberry Township
Joy Wilhelm, DCED Governor’s Center for Local Government Services

Engineering Sustainable Solutions for Your Community

Thursday, June 18
8:30 am - 4:30 pm (Registration begins at 7:30 am)
Regional Learning Alliance at Cranberry Woods, Cranberry, PA
Cost: $90 for Members; $120 for Non-Members (Breakfast and Lunch Provided)
For more information, visit http://www.c4spgh.org/know.html

Four of Western Pennsylvania’s business and engineering professional organizations have come together to provide a program of practical, cost-saving, sustainable solutions for infrastructure design, including energy policy, water resource systems, buildings, and community sustainability initiatives. Come to learn about the latest advancements and solutions. This conference is perfect for businesses, engineers, architects, non-profits, and government agencies interested in our region’s infrastructure from a sustainability perspective.

Hosts:
American Society of Civil Engineers, Pittsburgh Section
Environmental & Water Resources Institute
Architectural Engineering Institute
Sustainable Pittsburgh's Champions for Sustainability network

Take Action -- Urge Pittsburgh Public School Board to Protect Children's Health by Requiring School Bus Retrofits

Public Testimony:
Monday, May 18
7:00 pm
School Board Meeting
Conference Room A, 341 South Bellefield Street, Oakland, Pittsburgh 15213
To testify, you must be a City of Pittsburgh or Mount Oliver resident. Please call the School Board @ 412-622-3600 by Monday, May 18th at 12pm to get on the agenda.
Please let GASP know if you plan to testify by emailing gasp@gasp-pgh.org

Diesel emissions have been linked to respiratory ailments, heart attacks and cancer. They are most dangerous to children because their bodies are still developing. There is technology available, a diesel particulate filter and closed crankcase ventilation system, which can reduce emissions by 90%. Because of public support in the past, two major school bus contractors are taking steps to retrofit their buses. Help the Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) encourage the Pittsburgh Public School Board to require the same for all the yellow buses in the district.

CityLive! Your Region. Your Vision.

Wednesday, May 20
6:30 pm
New Hazlett Theater
RSVP: rsvp@citylivepgh.org

Many places around the world have profited from a broadly-participatory exercise in which all people from all sectors are invited to envision together the best future for their city or region. Come hear how this has worked both in this country and overseas. Panelists will include Mayor Valentino Castellani of the city of Turin, Italy, and Maureen McAvey of the Urban Land Institute, and Candi Castleberry-Singleton, Chief Diversity Officer of UPMC, as moderator.

PCRG 2009 Lunch and Learn Series: Comprehensive Planning

Wednesday, May 20
12:00 pm (Registration begins 11:45 am)
PCRG Conference Room, 1901 Centre Ave, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
RSVP by May 18, 2009. Lunch will be provided.
Fee: PCRG Members FREE; Government & Bank Partners $12; Non-members $15
For more information and to RSVP contact: Sarah Stutts at sstutts@pcrg.org or (412) 391-6732 x210
Make checks payable to Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group. Receipts are available upon request.

Speakers:
Noor Ismail, Director of City Planning
Joy Abbott, Assistant Director of City Planning
Justin Miller, Neighborhood Planner
City of Pittsburgh Department of City Planning

About the Program
The Department of City Planning is working cooperatively with all City stakeholders to ensure that we are thinking comprehensively about the City’s future. To illustrate how the Department of City Planning is accomplishing this, Noor, Joy and Justin will discuss the recent and ongoing strategic planning efforts that they are undertaking in partnership with the URA. They will also preview SNAP, which will be an online data, map, and neighborhood strategy tool. Building off of the success of the MVA model, this strategy tool will include not only housing market analysis, but quality of life analysis as well. The program will conclude with a discussion of the comprehensive plan, the components that are expected to launch within the next year, and the goals for each of the components.

Smart Growth Annual Awards Dinner

Thursday, May 21
6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, Chambers Hall
Cost: $50 per person, $250 corporate table of 6
To register, please contact the Smart Growth Partnership at 724-552-0118 or click here to see the invitation.

The Smart Growth Partnership will be recognizing smart growth developments, plans and individuals/groups that have distinguished themselves by achieving the smart growth cause at its 7th annual awards dinner.

The Future of City/County Collaboration

Friday, June 5
8:00 am - 3:45 pm
Senator John Heinz History Center, Strip District
Free to attend.
Advance registration required. Space Limited.
To register, visit www.iop.pitt.edu/June5.

The possibility of dynamic change in the way Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh are governed has received considerable attention recently, including requests to convene, inform, and engage the public in a dialogue about the relationship between the city and county governments. The University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics in collaboration with The Pittsburgh Foundation has arranged to bring key leaders from three metropolitan areas to Pittsburgh for a day-long forum on opportunities for city-county relations. Community leaders from Charlotte, Miami, and Louisville along with Mayor Ravenstahl and County Executive Onorato will be featured speakers at this event.

This wide-open forum will take a close look at multiple governance options and how each could impact the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County governance, and the possible effects on suburban municipalities. It will discuss not only the option of full structural consolidation (as exemplified by Louisville) but also functional consolidation (Charlotte-Mecklenburg County) and federated metropolitan government (Miami-Dade County). Prominent exponents of a full range of perspectives have been invited to participate on response panels. Following lunch, the Mayor and County Executive will present their views on city/county collaboration models. The presentations will be followed by a Legislative Response Panel and the forum will conclude with an open discussion session and question period.

This event is a must for anyone concerned about the future of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County and should be highly relevant for residents of neighboring counties facing similar governance issues.

It’s a Gamble: How Will a Casino Affect Your Community?

Tuesday, June 16
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Calvary United Methodist Church, Allegheny and Beech Streets, North Side (about two blocks from the Rivers Casino site)
Free

The opening of the Rivers Casino will affect Pittsburgh and Allegheny County in many ways, from consumer spending patterns to the increased risk of gambling addiction. Get ready for the casino’s arrival by attending this lively, eye-opening forum.

Speakers will include:
Bill Kearney, reformed gambler from Philadelphia and leading advocate for measures to assist victims of gambling addiction and their families. Always a colorful presenter, Kearney will draw on his vast experience to describe the casino industry and how it attracts customers.
Lindsay Hargrove, certified gambling counselor, will discuss the impact of problem gambling and how to prevent, spot, and address it.
Bruce Barron of No Dice will discuss the recent expansion of legalized gambling and how it is reshaping American society and our economy.
This free event is hosted by Calvary UMC with planning assistance from the counseling staff of Allegheny Center Alliance Church and from No Dice.
More information to come!

Resources

Candidates for Local Office: Pledge Excellence

During this campaign season, candidates for local office have an opportunity to demonstrate to voters a commitment to good government by pledging to take the Newly Elected Officials Course if successful in their bid for public office. The Newly Elected Officials Course provides in-depth instruction for local officials immediately after the General Election, starting on November 21, 2009. Benefits include:

- First-time elected officials reduce “on-the-job training” time and orient more quickly to public office
- Experienced elected officials use the course as a refresher to improve leadership abilities
- Elected officials from throughout the region build a network of contacts and resources
- Experts from government, business, and academia provide practical, real-world instruction

The Newly Elected Officials Course is presented by the Local Government Academy, an independent non-partisan organization serving southwestern Pennsylvania since 1983. It is the most comprehensive course for newly elected officials in Pennsylvania. Candidates may sign the Pledge to Excellence as a way to demonstrate their commitment to good government. If unsuccessful in the election, candidates are under no obligation to take the course. Citizens, please share this information with candidates and ask if they’ve taken the Pledge to Excellence.

Climate Change Legislation Alert

Climate change legislation has emerged as a high priority in Congress as the House Energy and Commerce Committee is expected to pass the measure by the end of next week and a full house vote is expected to take place before Memorial Day. This is an opportunity for businesses and individuals to make their voices heard to their congressional representatives about the American Clean Energy and Security Act – ACES, otherwise known as the Waxman-Markey Bill. Information about the bill can be found online at the Committee on Energy and Commerce Website. Be sure to contact your representative .

In German Suburb, Life Goes On Without Cars

Biking and walking are the principal means of transport within the suburb of Vauban, Germany.

Residents of this upscale community are suburban pioneers, going where few soccer moms or commuting executives have ever gone before: they have given up their cars. Street parking, driveways and home garages are generally forbidden in this experimental new district on the outskirts of Freiburg, near the French and Swiss borders. Vauban’s streets are completely “car-free” — except the main thoroughfare, where the tram to downtown Freiburg runs, and a few streets on one edge of the community. Car ownership is allowed, but there are only two places to park — large garages at the edge of the development, where a car-owner buys a space, for $40,000, along with a home. As a result, 70 percent of Vauban’s families do not own cars, and 57 percent sold a car to move here. “When I had a car I was always tense. I’m much happier this way,” said Heidrun Walter, a media trainer and mother of two, as she walked verdant streets where the swish of bicycles and the chatter of wandering children drown out the occasional distant motor. Vauban, completed in 2006, is an example of a growing trend in Europe, the United States and elsewhere to separate suburban life from auto use, as a component of a movement called “smart planning.”

China Outpaces U.S. in Cleaner Coal-Fired Plants

China has emerged in the past two years as the world’s leading builder of more efficient, less polluting coal power plants, mastering the technology and driving down the cost. While the United States is still debating whether to build a more efficient kind of coal-fired power plant that uses extremely hot steam, China has begun building such plants at a rate of one a month.

Onorato unveils plan for Downtown rooftop garden

Calling both projects a significant step toward making Allegheny one of the "greenest counties" in county government operations, Mr. Onorato said the projects are key components of the county's development plan known as Allegheny Places. "These projects will save energy, reduce storm water runoff, and cut down on the amount of pollution reaching our rivers," he added.

Great Outdoors Week kicks off Thursday Outdoors activities focus of 10-day celebration

"This 10-day celebration is designed to encourage folks to get outside and enjoy the outdoors," said Ginette Walker Vinski of Sustainable Pittsburgh, one of the event's coordinating groups. "We have so many natural amenities here in our region from our parks, to trails to rivers; they are perfect settings for hiking, biking and paddling whether you're a beginner or an expert."

US EPA steps in to oversee TVA Kingston fly ash clean up

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency signed an enforceable agreement with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to oversee the removal of coal ash at the TVA Kingston Fossil Fuel Plant in Roane County, TN, where more than five million cubic yards of coal ash spilled. Under the Administrative Order and Agreement on Consent (order) which was entered into under the Superfund law, EPA will oversee the cleanup and TVA will reimburse EPA for its oversight costs. This means that the EPA is recognizing flyash (for the first time) as a hazardous or potentially hazardous material that under certain conditions can cause a threat to human health and the environment and has found it to be so in this instance.

UK "green" job market swelling amid recession

As sustainability becomes more engrained in everyday business practice, we are seeing top level business professionals migrate into green roles," Cartland added, citing as an example one former CEO and investment banker who switched to running London operations for a FTSE 250 environmental consultancy.

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

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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:

Bayer Corporation
Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
Dollar Bank
FedEx Ground
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