Understanding thoughtful, place-inspired planning and its role in shaping our region will be the focus of the first Planning in the West conference, co-hosted by Boise State University’s Department of Public Policy & Administration and NewWest.Net on June 17-18.
Held in Boise State’s Stueckle Sky Center, the two-day conference will highlight planning and development trends, showcase best practices and create understanding about how thoughtful and place-inspired planning can help shape the region in the most positive ways. Featured speakers and participants include leading planners, policy-makers, architects, developers and landscape designers from around the Rockies.
“This conference and partnership with New West is a perfect fit with Boise State’s growing focus on urban planning,” said Susan Mason, director of Boise State’s community and regional planning program. “As our community and regional planning program develops, our region’s growth can become a laboratory where students and faculty help uncover solutions to challenges and paths forward for opportunities. Through conferences like this, we can bring that discussion out of the classroom and into the community.”
NewWest.Net is a next-generation media company dedicated to the culture, economy, politics, environment and lifestyle of the Rocky Mountain West. Part of its participatory model of online journalism includes hosting content-driven conferences about western development issues. The Boise conference comes on the heels of a series of successful sell-out conferences around the Northern Rockies.
“We’re delighted to be partnering with Boise State for our first major Idaho event,” said Jonathan Weber, founder and CEO of NewWest.Net. “Good approaches to growth and planning are critical to the future of the Treasure Valley and the entire region, and we’re committed to fostering the conversations and showcasing the great ideas that will help our communities prosper in every way.”
Here’s a rundown of the conference agenda:
Wednesday, June 17 – Pre-conference tours focus on art and architecture in streetscapes, mixed use and infill and renewable energy projects in Boise and how Boise State incorporates sustainability in campus master planning. The day will conclude with a conference opening reception and social.
Thursday, June 18 – Full-day program at Boise State’s Stueckle Sky Center. Mix of presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, including: Analysis of planning in our region and the state of the business in light of the broad-based economic slowdown, and the opportunities presented by place-based planning for our rural and urban areas in the Northern Rockies.
• Keynote speakers: Chris Duerksen, from Clarion Associates, will discuss sustainable community development codes for the West; and Arthur C. Nelson, FAICP, director of metropolitan research from the University of Utah, will share a new perspective and stats on planning and growth trends of the Snake River Corridor and what can position us for a prosperous future.
• Discussion of creative approaches to planning with a green mind, new models for working with cities and counties on sustainability codes and innovative methods to incorporate natural infrastructure when planning.
Early Bird conference passes are $148 (May 29 registration deadline) and include Wednesday’s pre-conference tours and hosted cocktail reception, as well as Thursday’s breakfast, lunch and snacks. A special rate of $118 is available for government, university and non-profit employees, as well as full-time students. There is a $50 administrative fee for continuing education credits. Conference passes are just $118 per person for groups of three or more.
To see a full agenda, go to www.newwest.net/planning. To register online, go towww.regonline.com/newwestplanning09.
For more information, call (406) 829-1725 or send e-mail to conferences@newwest.net.
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Media Contact: Mike Journee, University Communications, (208) 426-1517, mikejournee@boisestate.edu
Boise State University is “The New U Rising” with record student enrollment, new academic buildings, additional degree programs and a growing research agenda. Learn more at www.boisestate.edu.
