June 6 MI & AED Special Event: Leadership Through Landscape, Exploring the Power of Place and Its Influence on Public Leadership and Sustainability Policy

Special Event: Leadership Through Landscape

Exploring the Power of Place and
Its Influence on Public Leadership and Sustainability Policy

June 6, 2013 ~ 6:00 PM

Artisphere ~ 1101 Wilson Boulevard ~ Arlington VA 22209

Join Virginia Tech’s Metropolitan Institute (MI) and the Arlington Economic Development (AED) in welcoming back Sir Robert Harvey to Arlington, VA. Introduction from the Right Honorable Michael Moore, New Zealand Ambassador to the United States.

For the past 25 years Bob Harvey (still known affectionately as Mayor Bob) has infused the diverse dimensions of sustainability throughout his work as an elected official, international peace envoy, President of the New Zealand Labour Party, businessman, and most recently Chairman of the Auckland waterfront authority. A charismatic speaker and visionary thinker, Harvey came to sustainability through his strong personal and professional bond with the amazing landscape of Auckland’s west region. As a young leader of a local surf club at Karekare Beach, Harvey’s respect and reverence for Waitakere’s rugged coastline and temperate rainforest set the foundation for one of his first political activities — advocating for national legislation that permanently protects the Waitakere Rainforest and Ranges from encroaching suburban development. For Mayor Bob, Leadership through Landscape does not end with acts of conservation and preservation, but becomes a starting point for a dialogue with nature, understanding the landscape, listening to the landscape, and learning from the landscape in ways that reflect the values of New Zealand’s indigenous Maori culture. Building on these themes, Mayor Bob will offer his insights and observations on how sustainability leaders in the US can leverage their own landscapes to support their work in making sustainable communities.

MI and AED welcomes the Right Honorable Michael Moore, New Zealand Ambassador to the US, for introducing Mayor Bob; and commentators, Jay Fisette, Vice Chair, Arlington County Board and Susannah Drake, ASLA, AIA, Principal, delandstudio, New York City.

The full flier is available here.  Please RSVP at http://sirrobertharveylecture.eventbrite.com/ by June 4th.

Hanff to present at Smart and Sustainable Campuses Conference, Bethesda, MD, on April 15th

Colleges and universities are incubators of innovation, tackling the biggest challenges of society through creative means. The 2013 Smart and Sustainable Campuses Conference provides the setting to learn, share and explore how campuses are using their passion for innovation to develop technologies, infrastructure, programs and curricula that address the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges.

MURP alumna and SPIA Research and Operations Manager Jessica Hanff will be presenting with Jason Hercules of the US Green Building Council on “Using LEED for Neighborhood Development to Create a Sustainable Campus.”  Read more about the presentation at this link: http://www.mi.vt.edu/archives/1339.

Graduate-level Study Abroad Courses from the Center for Leadership in Global Sustainability

Courtsy of CLiGS:

"The Center for Leadership in Global Sustainability (CLiGS) is a new program of the College of Natural Resources and Environment in the National Capital Region focused on building leadership for sustainability in a changing world.  CLiGS is developing a suite of integrated education, research, and engagement programs focused on innovative strategies for advancing sustainable development practice in rapidly developing regions of the world.  An integral part of each of these programs is a graduate-level study abroad course that is project-based, professionally-oriented, pragmatic, and interdisciplinary.  The goal of these GSI (Global Sustainability Initiative) Projects is to provide graduate students with valuable professional and international experience without having to take a full to do it. 

CLiGS is offering four GSI Projects over the next two years that we think you might be interested in. 

 This summer, CLiGS is offering two GSI Projects, each for 6-credits:

·      China Waters GSI Project (Summer I) will focus on balancing resource management (particularly water) with tremendous economic development activity on different landscapes in southeast China, including rice terraces

·      Greening of Russia’s Cities GSI Project (Summer II) will focus on the paradoxes presented by Russia’s urban expansion and opportunities and constraints for greening the cities.

 In 2014, CLiGS is offering two additional GSI Projects, each for 6-credits:

·      India’s Urban Ecosystems GSI Project (Spring – travel dates over winter break) will focus on strategies and challenges for managing socio-ecological systems in Mumbai.

·      South Africa’s Ecological Infrastructure GSI Project (Summer I) will focus on innovative partnerships and strategies for managing ecological infrastructure systems in the Durban and Johannesburg regions.

Visit http://gsi.cnre.vt.edu  to learn more about each of the projects, sign-up for updates, and submit an application to become part of a GSI Project Team. The deadline for the Summer 2013 courses is quickly approaching, so be sure to check it out now if you are interested."

New Study Examines Extent of #Sustainable Transportation in #TRB Research Study Statements

UAP Assistant Professor Ralph Hall and Graduate Research Assistant Erin Puckett recently presented the results of a quantitative analysis that considered the degree to which Transportation Research Board research statements reflect sustainability objectives.  The findings were presented at the Sustainable Transportation Indicators Subcommittee during the 2013 Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board in Washington D.C.

Dr. Hall is research director for the Transportation and Sustainability Committee of the TRB. To read the report, visit http://ralphphall.wordpress.com/2013/01/07/trb-rns-analysis/.

Information Techology and Local Sustainability Planning

"Kevin Desouza and Joe Schilling co-authored an exploration of local sustainability planning in the PM Magazine of ICMA. The article, available online, provides a preliminary snapshot of local government sustainability plans and discusses ways that information technologies can enhance their design and implementation."  Read more on the Metropolitan Institute blog

Faculty Fellow Showcase: Ralph Hall

UAP's Ralph Hall in Senegal

New Profile on UAP's Ralph Hall from Virginia Tech's Metropolitan Institute:

"Faculty Fellow Ralph Hall, assistant professor in the Urban Affairs and Planning program in the School of Public and International Affairs, explores the transdisciplinary approach to solving sustainability problems and its applications in many corners of the world."  Read more

UAPVirginiaTech's Ralph Buehler Presents on Travel Behavior, Transport Policy & Sustainable Transport in Germany and the USA

UAP Assistant Professor Ralph Buehler recently presented as part of the APA's Tuesdays at APA presentation series.  His talk was on "Travel Behavior, Transport Policy, and Sustainable Transport in Germany and the USA."  The presentation is available as a podcast at this link.

Professor Buehler is an Assistant Professor in Urban Affairs & Planning a Faculty Fellow with the Metropolitan Institute at Virginia Tech’s Alexandria Center.  Most of his research has an international comparative perspective, contrasting transport and land-use policies, transport systems, and travel behavior in Western Europe and North America. His research interests include: (1) the influence of transport policy, land use, socio-demographics on travel behavior; (2) active travel and public health; and (3) public transport demand, supply, and financial efficiency.

Course on Sustainability in Russia

Virginia Tech’s Global Sustainability Initiative’s Russia Project, taking place in Russia from August 9-18, 2012, will explore some of the sustainability challenges presented by a rapidly shrinking population, particularly in large urban areas such as Moscow and St. Petersburg. Led by UAP faculty member Kris Wernstedt and working with partners including USAID and the Moscow-based Strelka Institute, the team will explore how effective public-private partnerships are being developed to achieve international environmental sustainability goals and to upgrade urban ecological infrastructure.  To learn more about GSI and how graduate students, senior undergrads, and professionals can sign up for the 6-credit course, visit http://gsi.cnre.vt.edu.

In partnership with Virginia Tech, the Global Sustainability Initiative (GSI) is coordinating a series of international projects to provide graduate students and professionals with hands-on experience exploring sustainability challenges in some of the world’s most rapidly developing nations. Participants are organized into consulting teams to examine the complexities and solutions for sustainable development in a variety of national and local contexts. Through online pre/post-trip work and 10 days working in-country, team members gain a sense of the broad context of sustainability challenges at the national level, an in-depth awareness of the complex issues facing local communities, and exposure to the strategies being developed by local, national, and international organizations to address them. GSI projects are available for graduate or continuing education credits and provide participants a unique opportunity to travel and gain international experience.  GSI International Projects for 2012-2013 focus on sustainable development in the BRICS nations – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.  Applications are now being accepted for the China and South Africa Projects taking place in May 2012, and the August 2012 project in Russia.

Feb Events on Greening America's Capital - The Anacostia Metro Station

From the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments:

"The District of Columbia was recently selected as one of five capital cities to receive the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Greening America’s Capitals technical design assistance.

This assistance will focus on green design and pedestrian/bicycle safety in the public spaces surrounding the Anacostia Metro Station and its proximity to the Anacostia River. Part of the design process will include a community work session—or a “charrette”—which will focus on designing a public space that connects the metro station to neighborhood assets, makes the area safer for pedestrians and bicyclists, better manages local stormwater and complements upcoming economic development projects in the community.

The Office of Planning, District Department of the Environment, the Department of Housing and Community Development, and the District Department of Transportation are seeking your help in reaching out to the surrounding community and spreading the word about the event. We would like to engage as much local support and participation as possible to in order to understand what area residents would like to see in their neighborhood and what some of the major concerns are for the metro station area. We are asking you to forward the flyer attached this email to your contact lists or to those you think would be interested in improving the area surrounding the Anacostia Metro Station.

The attached flyer provides more detailed information on the event, which will be held at Matthews Memorial Baptist Church (2616 Martin Luther King Jr., Washington, DC 20020) following this draft schedule:

Monday February 13th, 6:30pm to 8pm – Public Evening Presentation
Tuesday February 14th, Daytime – Design Charrette
Wednesday February 15th, 12:30pm to 2pm – Community Open House

For more information, please contact Laine Cidlowski at the Office of Planning at laine.cidlowski@dc.gov or (202) 442-8809."

Working with Nature for Sustainable, Beautiful Gardens: June 9-10

Virginia Cooperative Extension/Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia are hosting a 2-day symposium on Sustainability "Working with Nature for Sustainable, Beautiful Gardens" June 9-10

From the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia:

A Two-Day Symposium Featuring

* Douglas W. Tallamy, Author of Bringing Nature Home
* Holly Shimizu, Executive Director, U.S. Botanic Garden

Register now through EventBrite.

Day 1: Keynote presentation by Dr. Tallamy on how native plants can beautify our gardens while serving as central food sources for the insects, birds and butterflies that are essential to a healthy local ecosystem. Holly Shimizu will describe the Landscape for Life ™ program, an eco-friendly approach to gardening from the U.S. Botanic Garden that can provide a wealth of health and environmental benefits. The day also includes break-out sessions with local experts on elements of the Landscape for Life ™ program. To be held at Fairlington Community Center.

Day 2: Participants will tour the VCE/MGNV Demonstration Gardens in Arlington and Alexandria to see the elements of the Landscape for Life™ program in action.

Registration fee (includes a box lunch): $40 for early registration; $50 starting on April 1.

Register Now through EventBrite.

See the attached flyer for more information. Sustainability Symposium (PDF)
More information is available about the Landscape for Life program at their website."

Hampton Roads Section Meeting 16 Feb 2012

APA Virginia presents “Retrofitting the American Dream,” recently featured at the 2011 APA Virginia Conference…Come join us for a presentation of strategies for making our suburban communities more sustainable.

Thursday, February 16, 11:45 – 1:30 PM

Free Admission and Lunch Included

CM Credits Pending

Newport News Marriott at City Center 
740 Town Center Drive
 Newport News, Virginia 23606

Speakers: Walt Cole, PLA, LEED AP, Director of Planning, Clark Nexsen David Taylor, PLA, Planner, Clark Nexsen Linda Woods, AICP, LEED AP BD+C,  Planner Clark Nexsen William Hudgins, President and CEO, Harvey Lindsay Development

Seating Limited—RSVP by February 10 to hamptonroads@apavirginia.org or Joseph Curtis at (757) 466-9622

Sponsors: Clark Nexsen and Harvey Linsday Corporate Services

Two New Sustainability Modules for Spring 2012 (Must Register by 1/23)

Greetings everyone. In light of shifting enrollment patterns and to better accommodate schedules, especially for those of you working full or part time, we are offering two NEW modules on sustainability, but you must register for either one of them by next week’s registration deadline.

The first module is March 2nd/3rd and will focus on the environmental policy foundations of sustainability communities with a special emphasis on green infrastructure, climate change planning, and area wide brownfields revitalization.

The second module is March 30th and 31st and will examine regional sustainability planning, with a special focus on the preliminary activities of HUD’s Regional Sustainability grantees. I will be teaching both modules and I anticipate having guest speakers to join us for both modules. Each module is independent of the other, meaning you do not need to take both, you can take just one.

Please share with other VT students. Let me know if you have any questions.

FYI….we anticipate these courses will be up on Hokie Spa sometime in the next 24-48 hours…so keep looking for them


Joseph Schilling, Associate Director
Sustainable Communities
Vacant Properties Research Initiative
Metropolitan Institute at Virginia Tech
Professor and Program Coordinator
Urban Affairs & Planning Program--Alexandria

Jan 22 Pgm: White House and Partnership for Sustainable Communities CODE-FOR-LIVABILITY

The White House Office of Public Engagement and The Partnership for Sustainable Communities* [U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)], invite you to join us for the *Code for Livability* on January 22, 2012. 

The Code for Livability brings key stakeholders with backgrounds related to livability, housing, transportation and environmental issues together with experts in web development and technology to work on *Solutions in REAL Time* that can bring sustainability to the forefront of peoples everyday lives. Please join us to kick off an exciting week of transportation related meetings, including the Annual Transportation Research Board Meeting!

When: Sunday, January 22, 2012, 9:00am 1:00pm
Where: American Public Transportation Association
1666 K Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006

Special Guest: Chris Vein, Deputy Chief Technology Officer, White House
RSVP: http://c4livabilitydc.eventbrite.com/ (no later than January 19, 2012)

Background
This is a revolutionary opportunity to connect and build solutions for the issues that matter most to you and your stakeholders. We want to bring real-world issues to the table so we can focus the energies of the technology community to build tools that generate powerful new data to study and advance our shared goals. Your participation will make this event a success!

Please visit the Partnership for Sustainable Communities *Code for Livability* http://bit.ly/c4livability Web site to learn more and participate in the discussion leading up to the event. We have some problem statements already teed to help get the conversation started, but we need your input to focus the work!

If you'd like to learn more about other successful code-a-thons, check out this Wikipedia page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hackathon or the Health 2.0 Challenge as an example.