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Events

Chris Leinberger's Keynote at the 8th annual Smart Growth Conference - Audio

Chris Leinberger's keynote at the 2008 Smart Growth Conference is now available. Visit the WDUQ-FM website to hear Revitalize the Region: Seize Market Interest to Redevelop Core Communities.
Listen now.

"The 'Ozzie and Harriett' drivable suburban vision of the American Dream is being supplemented with the 'Seinfeld' vision of 'walkable urbanism.' Led by late-marrying and single young adults and empty-nester baby boomers, many households are looking for the excitement and increased options that living and working in a walkable urban place can bring. Current demographic trends promise continued demand. And $4 gas prices are just accelerating the trend," said Christopher Leinberger.

This trend was one of the main topics discussed at the 8th annual SWPA Smart Growth Conference, held on May 16 and keynoted by Christopher Leinberger. Leinberger is a metropolitan land use strategist and a Visiting Fellow at the Brookings Institution focusing on research and practices to help transform traditional and suburban downtowns to places that provide “walkable urbanism.” He is also the director of the Graduate Real Estate Program at the University of Michigan which focuses on downtown and suburban town center revitalization and transit-oriented development.

Resources

cityLIVE! 10: Getting There ... From Here

Thursday, July 24
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
New Hazlett Theater, Allegheny Square East, Pittsburgh, 15212
RSVP to rsvp@citylivepgh.org
Speakers: Sanjeev Shah, Steven Bland, Chelsa Wagner

Is the auto the most convenient and efficient way to move people around our region? Can new technologies and policies help unite the region and contribute to our urban vitality? Can we use transportation to grow the city, and the region, in the right way?

The Pittsburgh region is ripe for innovation. New technologies present exciting opportunities to move people and goods around more efficiently than ever before. Light rail, extensive riverfront trails, an efficient bus system, car sharing are all heading in the right direction. But that’s just a start. Getting it “right” requires creative planning. Join us for a charged discussion on how to get from here … to there.

As a bonus, because we believe that everyone should have a hand in the planning process, we’ll unveil a project which will allow everyone in the region to have a voice in the role of land use and transportation planning, whether you are an urban planner, environmentalist, architect, policy maker, transportation expert, biker, boater or skater.

Buy Fresh Buy Local® Summer Farm Tour

Saturday, July 26
12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Allegheny, Washington, Westmoreland and nearby Counties
Cost: $10/ carload [exact change preferred]

The Summer Farm Tour is an opportunity for the non-farming public to connect with farms in Southwestern PA that offer the best in healthy food raised using sustainable practices. The experience intends to leave participants with an understanding of how critical local and organic food systems are to preserving rural and urban landscapes in Southwestern PA. Featured farms for the 2008 Buy Fresh Buy Local® Summer Farm Tour will have products for sale and offer various activities depending on the farm (hayrides, picnic spots, educational talks, etc.). The list and map of participating farms, along with further information, will be available online at www.buylocalpa.org (click on the Western region link).

"Hard to Recycle” Collection to take place at the Mall at Robinson

Saturday, July 26
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Mall at Robinson (100 Robinson Centre Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15205) – Lower level parking lot near SEARS
Contact: Sarah Alessio at 412-488-7490 ext. 236 or email at saraha@ccicenter.org.

The Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC) along with the Allegheny County Health Department and The Mall at Robinson will be collecting freon and non-freon appliances, e-waste, televisions, tires without rims, ink and toner cartridges, CFL’s, cell phone, mixed paper, and cardboard. All materials will be recycled and refurbished. There are fees involved for disposing of certain materials. Visit www.prc.org for details.

The Grind, a Coffee Event

Sunday, July 27
Noon – 3:00 pm
Fee: $15 with a ceramic mug, $5 without.
Contact: Katrina Struloeff at 412-363-4550 ext. 37 or Katrina@unionproject.org.

Join the Union Project and Pittsburgh Area Coffee Association for the Grind, an event to learn and talk about coffee. The Grind is for anyone interested in learning more about coffee; where it comes from, how it's made, and the nuances from different growing regions. Experts from coffee shops around the city will be leading hands-on demonstrations and seminars on a variety of topics. Pittsburgh Area Coffee Association (PACA) was started by Jake Liefer (Beaver Falls Coffee and Tea), Phil Johnson (La Prima Espresso and Beleza Community Coffeehouse (owner)), and Morgan Stewart (Youth Barista Program at Union Project), born out of the desire to network, collaborate and establish healthy competition between local coffee shops. It is a connecting place to talk about important issues in the local and global coffee community as well as a chance to share new methods and ideas. For more information please visit www.pittsburghcoffee.org.

Open House - Allegheny Places

Tuesday, July 29
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Duquesne University Power Center on Forbes Avenue
Parking: Forbes Avenue parking garage, across the street from the Power Center. The Power Center is also readily accessible by transit. There are bus stops on Forbes Avenue close to the building entrance. For information about specific routes and times, please contact the Port Authority at 412-442-2000.
Contact: Kay.Pierce@AlleghenyCounty.US

This public open house is designed to introduce the final draft of Allegheny Places. Allegheny Places is a general guide for land use and growth management in the County. Through Allegheny Places, this region can better coordinate public and private efforts to enhance and rebuild communities, ensure the soundness of critical infrastructure, protect unique natural resources and historic assets, nurture vital cultural facilities, and encourage economic growth and stability for the benefit of all citizens of Allegheny County. The final draft is now available for review. Thank you to all of the many individuals, organizations, and technical experts who have taken an active interest in the Plan. Your participation ensures that Allegheny Places will be a living Plan that speaks for all of the citizens of this County.

Shared Municipal Services Roundtable Discussion

Thursday, August 7
11:30 am - 1:30 pm
LGA Office (CCAC Administration Building/College Office), 800 Allegheny Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15233
Easily accesible from the 16D (visit www.portauthority.org) or free, convenient parking is available next door
Cost: FREE
Please bring a brown bag lunch, drinks and cookies will be provided.
More information

At this roundtable leaders from 10,000 Friends of PA will share a proposal for improved Municipal Service Sharing in Pennsylvania. Attend this roundtable to discuss this idea as a way to enhance intergovernmental cooperation.

Shared Municipal Services Legislation Proposal (Draft)

Speakers: Judy Schwank, President and CEO, 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania
Edward Wilson, Vice President for Policy and Research, 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania

Rippey Street Cohousing Open House Meeting

August 16
3:00 pm
5620 Rippey St., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
For more information email cohousing@eastliberty.org

Rippey Street Cohousing is an effort to convert a former 20-unit apartment building into 12-14 condo units with cohousing amenities. Cohousing is a kind of intentional community composed of individually-owned, private homes with full kitchens, bathrooms, and the like. It is a community that is planned, owned, and managed by the residents. Through spatial design and shared social and management activities, cohousing facilitates intergenerational interaction among neighbors for social, economic, environmental, and practical benefits.

Shaping A Sustainable Pennsylvania – DCNR’s Blueprint for Action

Interaction Session
Tuesday, August 26
2:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Four Seasons Ski Lodge, Boyce Park, Monroeville
Please RSVP to jdupes@state.pa.us, or call 717-705-0031, at least two weeks prior to the meeting you plan to attend.

This is one of six sessions happening across the state this summer and fall to allow the public to provide input on how well the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is carrying out the goals and actions contained in its strategic plan, Shaping A Sustainable Pennsylvania – DCNR’s Blueprint for Action, and what the agency’s priorities should be for the future. The sessions will also provide a forum to collect citizen and stakeholder input on recreation as DCNR develops Pennsylvania’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan this year. Prior to attending, please re-familiarize yourself with the Blueprint for Action. If you are unable to attend, but are interested in submitting comments, please submit them by November 5 to the e-mail above.

Resources

Helping them buy a home of their own

But before beginning the process, Ms. Wilson sought assistance in a first-time buyers program at her local bank, and at a free "home buyers education learning program" workshop Saturday at the Mon Valley Initiative, 305 E. Eighth Ave., Homestead.

Promise of Smaller Industrial Cities

This report casts a spotlight on the wisdom, innovation, and successes of those working to promote the equitable renewal of smaller industrial cities. It offers a forward-looking vision of what these cities can become with the right set of policies, programs, and investments. . .This report presents a policy and program agenda that can set smaller industrial cities on the path to equitable, sustainable renewal. The agenda is not an abstract set of ideals, but a practical, achievable framework for moving these cities forward. We present action ideas culled from our analysis of what is working in smaller industrial cities. Along with every idea, we offer a case study that examines how that idea is being applied. Equitable renewal can be realized in smaller industrial cities. It will take good policy and innovative programs such as the action ideas presented in this report. It will also require questioning assumptions, learning new habits, and looking through new lenses. The following principles can serve as touchstones for keeping a broad, equitable, achievable agenda for renewal on track in smaller industrial cities.

More

Carnegie Mellon’s StepGreen tracks our sustainable lifestyle

Carnegie Mellon researchers are developing a new tool that will help individuals more closely watch their carbon footprint grow—or shrink—over time.

The Pittsburgh CitiWiki Project

The Pittsburgh CitiWiki Project is an experiment in collaborative creativity conceived and created here in Pittsburgh. In the coming months there will be Pittsburgh CitiWikis on a variety of subjects from business, diversity and education to entertainment, recreation and the arts -- whatever can improve the quality of life in Western Pennsylvania. The first CitiWiki project has been made possible by the financial support of The Heinz Endowments and is itself a collaboration between The Heinz Family Philanthropies, Pop City and cityLive! It focuses on transportation and the challenge of creating an integrated plan for the region that provides true mobility for everyone who lives here - rich, poor, old, young, student or worker.

Declare war on hunger ... Again

But the war on hunger requires constant vigilance and we must recognize the unmet needs that still exist. Hunger continues to be a serious problem plaguing more than 35.5 million Americans. Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of hunger because even mild malnutrition can have adverse effects on health, development, behavior, self-esteem and school attendance and performance.

Rebuild America's hometowns

In an era of high fuel prices and environmental awareness, small walkable cities are primed for revival, but we need federal help, say mayors CHRISTOPHER DOHERTY of Scranton and JAY WILLIAMS of Youngstown. . .In an era of environmental awareness and sky-high gas prices, cities like ours already are built around walkable downtowns, with shops, housing and businesses within easy reach. Sprawling suburbs are spending millions of dollars to create the kind of community space that cities like ours already offer. These walkable cityscapes are becoming attractive for huge numbers of Americans. Young families, new professionals and retiring Baby Boomers are increasingly looking beyond the spread-out suburbs in favor of more dense, more pedestrian-friendly areas. With our museums, shops, college campuses and park spaces, our cities are perfectly suited for many to call home -- all on a smaller, more manageable scale than spread-out suburbs or big cities.

The End of White Flight

The End of White Flight For the First Time in Decades, Cities' Black Populations Lose Ground, Stirring Clashes Over Class, Culture and Even Ice Cream . . .For much of the 20th century, the proportion of whites shrank in most U.S. cities. In recent years the decline has slowed considerably -- and in some significant cases has reversed. Between 2000 and 2006, eight of the 50 largest cities, including Boston, Seattle and San Francisco, saw the proportion of whites increase, according to Census figures. The previous decade, only three cities saw increases.

U.S. highway trust fund veers toward crisis

Count it among the victims of rising gas prices. Billions of dollars in road projects are at risk. . .As motorists cut back on their driving and buy more fuel-efficient cars, the government is taking in less money from the federal gasoline tax. The result: The principal source of funding for highway projects will soon hit a big financial pothole. The federal highway trust fund could be in the red by $3.2 billion or more next year.

Trail generates estimated $12 million annually

The Trail Town Program, Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau, and Allegheny Trail Alliance recently completed Phase 1 of the Trail Town Economic Impact Study, a business analysis of the Great Allegheny Passage's impact on the local economy. In 2007, the trail generated an estimated $12 million in direct spending, up from $7.3 million in 2002.

Outdoor Task Force Submits Findings, Recommendations to Governor

The 16-member task force named to develop key recommendations to strengthen the bond between citizens and the natural world is proposing the establishment of a Governor's Commission on People and Outdoor Connections, among other recommendations submitted this week in its 40-page report to Gov. Rendell. . . The report summarizes the findings of the conference and the five public gatherings that followed last spring and summer. More than 500 people provided input and ideas, which were then formulated into key themes and recommendations by the task force.

Some environmental proposals aren't so 'Green' smart after all

Despite the noble intentions of going green, the effects often can be at odds with the goals. . . Mr. Gerngross has his own example of how recycling can be unproductive. When people recycle plastic milk jugs, they wash them out with water, which has to be treated, pumped to their house, heated (because most people use hot water) and treated at a sewage treatment plant then when it is poured down the drain. For each ton of recycled plastic, he said, consumers use about 10 tons of water to clean it. . . Despite the paradox, the positive aspect of the green movement, Mr. Slater said, is that if people try to live in a more environmentally friendly way they will notice the impact they have on the world. "If it becomes stylish, it means people are starting to know about it," he said. "It becomes more of a cultural norm."

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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 2008 from:

Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
Dollar Bank
The Giant Eagle Foundation
The Heinz Endowments
Elsie H. Hillman Foundation
Roy A. Hunt Foundation
Richard King Mellon 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