Western Prosperity Forum Spring 2024, Phoenix, Arizona
Apr
23
to Apr 24
Arizona

Western Prosperity Forum Spring 2024, Phoenix, Arizona

Click here for the link to the event details.

While the West of today is defined by enduring characteristics – including its vast and beautiful landscapes, natural amenities, booming economy, and frontier mentality – it has also undergone great transformation. As innovation, technological advancements, and demographic and environmental shifts drive societal changes, some communities have capitalized on these changes while others have been left behind. The 2024 Western Prosperity Forum, hosted in Phoenix by Governor Katie Hobbs, will focus on locally led adaptation and development efforts to ensure the success of all communities. Panels will convene policymakers and subject matter experts to discuss strategies and tools to leverage modern opportunities, foster resilience, and achieve sustainable and equitable economic growth. 

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2024 WYOPASS / Western Planner Conference
Aug
7
to Aug 9

2024 WYOPASS / Western Planner Conference

Join us for an inspiring journey at the 2024 WYOPASS/Western Planner Conference, themed "Crossroads and Crosswinds," co-hosted by Western Planner and the Wyoming Planning Association. Set against the picturesque Western backdrop of Cheyenne, Wyoming, from August 6-9, this conference promises a unique blend of insights and solutions at the intersection of planning challenges and the ever-changing winds of progress. Engage with fellow planners, professionals, and enthusiasts as we navigate the crossroads of innovation and tradition. This event will feature expert speakers, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities to help you navigate the complex landscape of planning in the West. Be a part of shaping the future at this gathering of minds dedicated to fostering resilient and vibrant communities.

https://westernplanner.org/2024-conference

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Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute
Mar
24
to Mar 25

Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute

2022 Western Places | Western Spaces Conference

Growth & Change in the West: Adapting Sustainably

As we emerge from the pandemic, the West is facing immense pressures from growth and change that challenge our notions of sustainability in our region. The changing nature of work has allowed significant migration to high-amenity communities, straining local infrastructure, driving up housing prices, and displacing long-time residents. The cost of living in many areas of the region far outpace the average incomes, resulting in economic dislocation and rising income inequality. An intractable housing affordability crisis is spreading beyond our urban areas to exurban communities and rural towns, where people are now moving in greater numbers. The numbers of unhoused people who are camping in urban rights of way, parks, and public spaces is exploding. These growing populations, drawn to our iconic landscapes, are loving our public lands and national parks to death.

At the same time, the impacts of climate change are upon us. The West is experiencing an extended drought that threatens our regional water supply and our forests. The fire season is growing in duration and severity with each passing year. The condition and range of habitat to support biodiversity and Western wildlife is declining. The heat island effect in developed areas is affecting public health and our quality of life.

As we face these challenges (and many more), we wonder how the region will adapt to these mounting pressures and what measures we need to be taking now to ensure greater resilience to whatever the future holds. How do we ensure that newcomers to the region do not price out long-time residents? Can we grow in ways that are inclusive and equitable, providing housing and access to jobs and opportunity across the economic spectrum? Are there limits to our capacity to absorb growth? Can we resist the pressure to build housing in marginal and hazardous places, like floodplains and the wildland urban interface? How do we manage increasingly scarce resources like water or access to national parks in ways that are equitable and fair? As the region recovers from the pandemic and booms again, can we ensure that our shifting land use practices are sustainable? Finally, can we Westerners adapt, culturally and politically, to the changing realities in our communities and invest in the policy tools that could enhance our long-term resilience?

Important Dates:

  • Thursday, March 18: Housing Workshop

  • Thursday, March 24: Conference Day 1

  • Friday, March 25: Conference Day 2

  • April 8, 15, 22, 29: Water Workshop Series

Questions?
Please contact us:
Email: rmlui@law.du.edu
Phone: 303-871-6319
 

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Jan
28
2:30 PM14:30

Equity in Planning Workshop

Equity in Planning Workshop

1½ Hours: 1.5 CM Credits

Workshop Date: January 28, 2022
2:30 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. MST
$35 for members; $45 for non-members; $15 for student members

This Zoom workshop will explore the relationship between land use planning and racial inequity in the United States, with an examination of how government actions in housing have made those inequities worse.

Not only have these policies negatively impacted a large percentage of our population, but racial inequity is also a drag on the economy. A study done by Citigroup shows that racial bias cost the US economy $16 trillion from 2000 until 2020.

All AICP members will be required to earn equity credits in the 22-23 reporting period.

Topics:

  • History

  • APA Planning for Equity Policy Guide

  • Potential Ways to Move Forward

Presenters:

Cynthia Bowen, FAICP, Principal and Director of Planning for Rundell Ernstberger Associates. Former APA President.

Susan Wood, FAICP, Planning Project Manager II for the Denver (CO) Regional Transportation District. Co-Chair of the Planning for Equity Policy Guide Author’s Committee.

Hernan Guerrero Applewhite, Adjunct Lecturer in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental and Urban Design at Florida International University.

Miguel Vazquez, AICP, Healthy Communities Planner for the Riverside University Health System. Member of the Planning for Equity Policy Guide Author’s Committee and recipient of the 2018 APA President’s Award for his work on diversity and inclusion.

Dr. Edna Ledesma, Assistant Professor in the Department of Planning and Landscape Architecture at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Member of the APA EDI Committee and the Planning for Equity Policy Guide Author’s Committee.

A Zoom link will be sent to the email address used to register for this webinar two days prior to the event. Please use the intended recipient’s profile/email to register for the webinar.

REGISTER HERE


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Sustainable Communities Division, First Annual Virtual Symposium
Jan
13
11:00 AM11:00

Sustainable Communities Division, First Annual Virtual Symposium

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! 
Please join us for the first annual SCD Symposium (virtual) focused on climate change and equity. This symposium will be divided into three sessions, providing a deep dive into SCD member resources, focus on climate migration as associated challenges, and how climate change is exacerbating inequality in our communities. More information on the learning objectives and the symposium can be found here. 

Register here

 Registered attendees will receive a Zoom webinar link prior to the event. You can attend one session, or multiple sessions. CM Credits will be available for individual sessions. AICP Credits pending (3.5 hours).

Panel bios coming soon!

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