Monday, July 16, 2012

CAUS gears up for 50th anniversary celebration with icon competition; registration deadline is September 1

by Barbara Micale

"The year 2014 marks the 50th anniversary of the College of Architecture and Urban Studies (CAUS) at Virginia Tech. To promote and commemorate this milestone, the college is sponsoring a competition for an icon and poster design. Entrants must incorporate the icon in a poster measuring 20 inches by 20 inches that reflects the educational heritage and history of the college. The poster should have greater artistic merit and a wider audience than a mere event announcement."  Read more at http://ncr.vt.edu/highlights/Highlight-071212.html

Thursday, July 12, 2012

@UAPVirginiaTech's Jesse Richardson Keynotes Living Towns Planning Workshop

UAP Associate Professor Jesse Richardson will be the keynote speaker for the annual Living Towns Planning Workshop of the Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Planning Commission on August 9.  Richardson will speak on the topic of "A Hike Across England: English Countryside & Village Planning System."

This year's theme is "Maintaining Small Town Character".  According to RRRPC, the purpose of the annual workshop "is to bring together representatives of the region’s towns with those of public and private sector entities to network and exchange information on planning, revitalization and preservation of towns as vital economic living centers."

Other topics to be covered this year include
  • Rural Historic Districts
  • Capitalizing on Rural/Small Town Assets through Sustainable Agriculture
  • Bikeways, Greenways and Active Recreation
  • Town Revitalization Strategies
  • Community Engagement Approaches  
Read more and register at http://www.rrregion.org/pdf/LT/theplains/RRRC%20LT%20The%20Plains%20Registration%20Brochure%2008.09.12.pdf.

Job Opptys: Historic Preservation, Sustainability

From the YIPPS listserv:

Job 1:
"The District of Columbia Office of Planning, Historic Preservation Office seeks a Historic Preservation Specialist.
 

Job Responsibilities

  • Reviews building permit and concept design applications for alterations, additions and new construction in accordance with local and nationally accepted preservation standards and practices; consults and negotiates with applicants to encourage appropriate work in accordance with above standards; prepares and presents narrative reports on applications and presents to HPRB.
  • Explains and responds to inquiries regarding the preservation review process, guidelines, regulations and acceptable practices from professionals (architects, builders), community representatives and property owners.
  • Works with HPO Inspections staff to monitor ongoing work to ensure compliance with approved plans.
  • Maintains databases designed for tracking of project reviews, management of data relating to structures and sites listed on the DC Inventory of Historic Sites, GIS, and other purposes.
  • Prepares and participates in Section 106 consultations with Federal agencies as assigned.
  • Evaluates applications for certification under the Federal Tax Incentives programs under the supervision of certified review staff.

Qualifications

PREFERRED EDUCATION Bachelors degree in architecture, architectural history or a related field and/or experience in permit review, building renovation or building contracting.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE Past experience in preparing or reviewing architectural plans, working with the public, negotiating successfully to achieve mutually agreeable solutions, applying Federal and State regulations to preservation projects, and demonstrated writing ability.

About the Company/Organization

The Historic Preservation Office promotes stewardship of the District of Columbia’s historic and cultural resources through planning, protection, and public education. HPO is part of the Office of Planning and serves as the staff for the Historic Preservation Review Board and Mayor’s Agent for historic preservation. HPO also implements federal historic preservation programs as the State Historic Preservation Office for the District of Columbia.

Salary or Pay Rate

$54,633 – $70,437

How To Apply

The online application and full job description is found at: http://dchr.dc.gov. Select “Employment Opportunities” then Job ID 20133 – Historic Preservation Specialist. Position open until filled."

Job 2:

"Sustainability Coordinator - Part Time Fairfax, VA
This part time position is available in the Department of Community Development & Planning.
Duties: The position oversees the coordination of the City’s sustainability program and policy development, including serving as chair for inter-departmental committees and task forces, and developing measurements to track progress in achieving sustainability goals and objectives. The position is responsible for the preparation of sustainability-related plans and documents for internal and external agency review, including grant applications. The position performs a variety of research related to sustainability planning, including the collection and analysis of various data, and evaluation of best practices and policy implications. The position supports and provides technical assistance to City Council and other City boards and commissions as well as coordinates with various regional agencies and partners on programs and projects related to the City’s and region’s sustainability efforts.The position conducts public outreach,education, and other community awareness activities, including the development of educational and marketing materials.
Requirements: The selected candidate shall possess a thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of sustainability and environmental stewardship related to public policy development, including an understanding of current issues, trends, laws and regulations related to sustainable community development and planning, green building, low impact development, climate, waste reduction, recycling, air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, energy planning, and stormwater management/watershed protection. The selected candidate shall have an understanding of measurements, tools of analysis, and industry standards related to sustainability and the environment. Familiarity or previous experience with municipal government operations and the applicability of sustainable and environmentally-sound practices and policies, including life cycle costing and cost/benefit analysis is preferred. Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Environmental Science/Studies, Engineering, Geography, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or Public Administration is preferred. An equivalent level of training and work experience will be
considered. Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
Hours: 20 hours per week during normal business hours(Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Salary: $32.06 - $49.74/hour, pro-rated fringe benefits
Closing Date: Open Until Filled"

Monday, July 9, 2012

Job Opptys: Two New DC Planning Jobs

Via the YIPPs listserve:

"The Office of Planning is currently recruiting for a Community Planner  in the Neighborhood Planning division.  This is a regular full-time non-union position - open to the public.: https://erecruit.dc.gov/psp/erecruit/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_CE.GBL?Page=HRS_CE_JOB_DTL&Action=A&JobOpeningId=20205&SiteId=1&PostingSeq=1

The Office of Planning is currently recruiting for a Community Planner  in the Citywide Planning division.  This is a regular full-time non-union position - open to the public.: https://erecruit.dc.gov/psp/erecruit/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_CE.GBL?Page=HRS_CE_JOB_DTL&Action=A&JobOpeningId=20222&SiteId=1&PostingSeq=1"

Sunday, July 8, 2012

July 10th Tuesdays at APA: Arcosanti, Arcology and the Ecological Cities of Paolo Soleri

From APA:
"You’re Invited!

Tuesdays at APA-DC

July 10 @ 5:30pm

Arcosanti, Arcology and the Ecological Cities of Paolo Soleri
Speaker: George Kosmides
Staff Electrical Engineer at Arcosanti

Arcology is architect and philosopher Paolo Soleri's concept of cities which embody the fusion of architecture with ecology, and proposes a highly integrated and compact three-dimensional urban form that is the antithesis of urban sprawl. By foregoing the automobile and minimizing destruction of the surrounding ecology, and by incorporating extensive terraced solar greenhouses and energy production, arcologies provide for highly pedestrian cities which maximize urban functioning while dramatically minimizing energy and resource consumption and waste. Arcosanti is the prototype arcology being built in Arizona.

This presentation covers the range of Soleri's work, starting with his apprenticeship with Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin, through the full range of his arcology designs. We will cover his evolutionary design philosophy, with its roots in the work of Teilhard de Chardin. We will explore Arcosanti, the prototype arcology being built in the desert north of Phoenix, and include details on the design and development work at Arcosanti. Finally, we will delve into Soleri's newest arcology designs and publications. We will probe issues related to long-term sustainability, from a resource, a planetary ecology and an evolutionary perspective. The presentation includes numerous images of arcology designs, including new, yet-to-be-published works.

CM | 1.0

RSVP for July 10th Tuesdays at APA

Learn more about this event and upcoming events on the APA website

Tuesdays at APA–DC
Join APA in Washington, D.C., each month for this after-work lecture and discussion series. Practicing planners, researchers, and professionals from allied fields discuss innovative ideas and concepts or present their latest projects.

The events are free and open to APA members and nonmembers.

Directions
Please enter on 15th Street and check in with security desk
American Planning Association - Headquarters
1030 15th Street, NW, Suite 750 West
Washington, DC 20005

Metro – Farragut North (red line)
            McPherson Square (orange/blue lines)
Parking available in paid parking lots or on street
Several Capital Bikeshare stations are also nearby

We hope to see you there!"

Friday, July 6, 2012

2012 VAPDC Summer Conference Virginia's PDCs: Working Strategically for the Commonwealth's Future

From the Virginia Association of  Planning District Commissions:

VAPDC Summer Conference
Virginia's PDCs: Working Strategically for the Commonwealth's Future
July 26-28, 2012
The Cavalier Hotel
Virginia Beach, VA

July 6 (today) is the last day for the Early Registration Rate
 
"As always the Summer Conference provides an opportunity for Commissioners, PDC Staff, and Private Sector Partners to come together to network, learn, and share best practices. 

The program will begin with lunch on Thursday, July 26th and go through the final session on the morning of July 28th. New to the program for 2012 will be a PDC Lightening Round of 'Show and Tell'---bring your ideas to share and brag on the great things your PDC/RC is doing to promote regionalism! The program will also include updates from JLARC and DHCD; sessions with selected Virginia Cabinet Secretaries; and much more."

2012 World Town Planning Day Online Conference - Save the Date and Call for Proposals

World Town Planning Day Online Conference 2012
Smart Communities Connect
6-7 November 2012

The World Town Planning Day Online Conference Committee topic for the 2012 conference is Smart Communities Connect.   This theme is all about learning how technological advancements impact on our communities, how we can better plan ahead to prepare for this ‘knowledge revolution’ and improve our awareness of the challenges and opportunities that are presented to our communities by advances in technology. 

We are putting together an exciting line-up of speakers to spread new ideas and encourage discussion across the world’s community of planning professionals.  What better way to celebrate the profession than be engaging in a worldwide conversation on-line. 

To learn more about this exciting experience and learn more about the Call for Proposals (due by July 30), visit www.planningtheworld.net or email to planningtheworld@gmail.com.

This event is proudly brought to you by planning organisations from around the world.