As individuals, institutions and governments struggle with the implications of global warming and climate change, we are faced with a dizzying array of possible actions. Continuing to make smart personal and political choices is essential to try and stave off the worst disasters of global warming. But something much bigger needs to happen—a change in the course of business as usual. In this first series of new informative programs at the new SPUR Urban Center, we will focus on what we can do at the community level, from the perspective of good government and good planning, to reduce CO2 emissions. Responding to the legislative context, we will focusing on greener buildings, smarter land use, more efficient transportation and market responses.
This five-part summer series is coordinated by Jeff Tumlin of Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, Stephanie Reyes, policy director at Greenbelt Alliance and Jim Chappell, director of the Citizen Planning Institute at SPUR.
$100 for the series or $25 per session. Advance registration required. Five consecutive Thursdays, beginning July 9th. Write to classes@spur.org.
SESSION 1 OF 5
Responding to the Context:
State LegislationSB 375 and Sustainable Community Strategies
Whether professional planners, community groups, or activist citizens, we all work to create change within the legislative framework. Absent national policy, even something as weak as ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, these laws and policies are primarily at the state level. SB 375 holds tremendous promise for catalyzing climate-friendly communities. This session will discuss what it take to create a strong sustainable communities strategy for the Bay Area and ensue that plan becomes a reality on the ground. We will learn the “6 P’s” of a sustainable community strategy. Other legislation and standards such as the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32) and the CPUC’s Renewable Portfolio Standard and BAAQMD’S proposed Indirect Source Rule will also be explained and analyzed for our use. With Jeff Tumlin, Nelson\Nygaard and Stephanie Reyes, Greenbelt Alliance and Bruce Riordan, Joint Policy Committee.
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2009 4:00PM-6:00PM
SESSION 2 OF 5
Mobility, Accessibility, Sustainability:
How We Get Around and How Space is Configured for Movement
In this session, we will study the theoretical bases for smarter transportation policies—how we get around, how space is configured for movement, why we are dealing with ideology as well as design, and how this has favored the automobile. From this point we will examine the logic of automobility and the logic of sprawl —as a prelude to understanding the relationship between road space and sprawl. Finally, we will learn specific techniques and solutions for retooling our transportation networks and cities for urbanity. With Jeff Tumlin, Nelson\Nygaard.
SESSION 3 OF 5
Growing Smarter
In this session, we will discuss holistic approaches beyond the individual project, whereby public policy as contained in general plans, zoning, subdivision and other regulations can make real differences in developer proposals and on the ground outcomes. However, the rubber ultimately hits the road in actual project design. We will discuss techniques to reduce waste, conserve resources, minimize the use of pollutants and harmful products to produce LEED certified neighborhoods and buildings which are at once creative and sustainable. With Claire Bonham-Carter, EDAW | AECOM and David Baker, David Baker + Partners.
SESSION 4 OF 5
Challenges to Placemaking
The Bay Area’s population is growing. How do we grow sustainably? In this session, we will develop an understanding of Greenbelt Alliance’s groundbreaking Grow Smart Bay Area research, which shows that our region has plenty of room to accommodate projected new jobs and housing in climate-friendly walkable neighborhoods in our existing cities and towns while protecting the region’s greenbelt of natural lands. We will also examine the value proposition associated with “low carbon” development and the challenges associated with dense projects in soft market locations. These issues are relevant to most locations in the Bay Area where increased density would be beneficial from a carbon reduction perspective, but where the market is not yet strong enough to support the associated development costs. We will also discuss the coming demand for dense housing driven by changing demographic trends and for intensified employment centers necessary to support the region’s ongoing economic growth. With Stephanie Reyes, Greenbelt Alliance and Dena Belzer, Strategic Economcs.
SESSION 5 OF 5
Local Government's Role in Low-Carbon Development
Traditional traffic models rely on outdated data and assumptions and don’t measure many things we care about such as air pollution and climate impacts. How can cities and counties use updated models and new proposed CEQA guidelines to encourage low carbon development? In this session, we will do exercises using the URBEMIS traffic mitigation component, a simple yet powerful tool employing standard traffic engineering methodologies but providing the opportunity to adjust Institute of Traffic Engineers average rates to quantify the impact of a development’s location, physical characteristics and demand management programs. With Jeff Tumlin, Nelson\Nygaard and Stephanie Reyes, Greenbelt Alliance.
