Job Opportunity: Environmental Outreach Coordinator

Environmental Outreach Coordinator
Citizens Utility
Board, Chicago, IL

The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit statewide utility watchdog organization created to serve as a voice for residential and small business consumers. CUB strives for better service and lower rates for all Illinois residents. Our work ranges from challenging utility rate hike requests and fighting for better consumer protection laws in Springfield, to offering money-saving advice.

We are expanding our environmental work and are currently seeking an energetic, self-directed, public-interest-minded individual to fill the position of Environmental Outreach Coordinator to assist in CUB’s statewide advocacy and outreach efforts.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Assisting the Outreach Director in educating Illinois consumers about the connections between energy efficiency and lower energy costs.
• Building grassroots support for increased state and federal investment in energy efficiency
• Developing an understanding of demand-response and real-time pricing programs available for electricity consumers.
• Becoming conversant in how consumers can manage their utility costs by making their households more energy-efficient.
• Booking venues and promoting events with flyers, announcements, letters and phone calls to CUB members and the general public
• Working with CUB’s communications department to promote outreach efforts in the media
• Helping shape public message, identifying what works at the grassroots level and what doesn’t
• Making presentations at community events and meetings
• Other outreach duties as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor’s degree
• Knowledge of environmental issues and/or previous campaign experience a plus
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• A proven commitment to public interest work
• Experience with new media and social networking advocacy a plus
• Willingness to travel throughout Illinois
• Valid Illinois driver’s license
• Having your own car is also a plus

Available: Immediately

To apply:
Click Here

Events: Wild Things 2009 Conference

Saturday, February 7, 2009
University of Illinois at Chicago

Please join us at a day-long conference that brings together the region's best experts, most dedicated volunteers and anyone interested in nature. Technical presentations and interactive workshops will explore the latest in natural areas preservation, wildlife protection and monitoring. The conference is organized in "tracks" designed for everyone from beginners to experts. There is special focus on empowering citizen scientists, stewards and advocates with information, networking and good ideas.

This event is open to the general public; it is not not just for "members" or professionals working within a certain discipline!

Click for More

CMAP Soles and Spokes Workshop

From 8:30 a.m. to noon on December 11, 2008, CMAP will host its 2008 Soles and Spokes Workshop, titled "The Nuts and Bolts of Implementing a Local Bikeway Plan." The location is CMAP's offices in Suite 800 of Sears Tower, 233 South Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60606. This half-day workshop will cover the basic steps of developing and implementing a local bikeway network, including route selection, directional signing, network planning and facility engineering. For more information, see the Workshop Flyer and Agenda (opens 316KB PDF). The workshop is being conducted in partnership with the Illinois Section of ASCE, Transportation Group. A fee of $25 is required, and registration will be available at ASCE's website starting Monday, November 17. For more information, contact John O'Neal (312-386-8822 or joneal@cmap.illinois.gov).

MUPP and REG Networking Opportunity

MUPPS,

REMINDER: this Thursday from 6-7:30 the REG (Real Estate Group) is
offering an event - Interpreting the Real Estate Economy.

This event would be of particular interest to Economic Development &
Community Development specialists.

This is a great opportunity to meet masters students in the UPP program
and working professionals specializing in real estate and development.

Please RSVP to carvan1@uic.edu if you plan on attending


INTERPRETING THE REAL ESTATE ECONOMY

Thursday, November 20, 2008
6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
UIC Student Center East
Conference Center
Fort Dearborn Room
3rd Floor

Featured Speaker:
Peter J. Marino
Senior Vice President
CB Richard Ellis / Melody

The election is over! What’s next?
Please join us for this in-depth and informative discussion on:

Real Estate in the U.S. Economy
Defining Real Estate and Its Economic Effects
Real Estate in the GDP
The Cyclicality of Real Estate
Current Problems in Real Estate and Lessons Learned

Jobs: Associate Planner in Janesville, Wi

Associate Planner (Transportation and Comprehensive)

Janesville, located in south central Wisconsin, is a progressive Council-Manager administered city of 63,000. This position has diverse responsibilities, emphasizing multi-modal transportation planning, data collection, and technical report preparation for the City of Janesville, the Janesville Transit System, and the Janesville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).

Planner coordinates MPO activities and agendas, including preparation of annual work program, transportation improvement program, and the Long Range Transportation Plan. Position also involves comprehensive planning, current planning, and socio-economic analysis responsibilities as assigned.

Requires Bachelors degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Geography, or related field and two years relevant experience; or Masters Degree (preferred) and some local government experience. Individual must be self-motivated, energetic, posses excellent oral and written communication skills, strong customer service skills and experience in report preparation, public presentations, and software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and GIS. Salary range $39,406 to $56,008 depending upon education and experience. Excellent fringe benefit package.

Cover letter, resume, application, and references due December 12, 2008. Obtain applications M-F (7:30-4:30) at Municipal Building, 18 N. Jackson Street, or at www.ci.janesville.wi.us.

Submit materials to: Human Resources, City of Janesville, 18 N. Jackson Street, PO Box 5005, Janesville, WI 53547-5005; e-mail KalsonK@ci.janesville.wi.us.

News: Affordable Housing Rises Out Of Foreclosure Crisis

Source: NPR Morning Edition

November 17, 2008 · Lancaster, Calif., is a high desert community on the far outskirts of Los Angeles. Officials there are spending millions of dollars to fix up foreclosed properties and make them into affordable housing. The Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced $4 billion worth of grants to local development agencies nationwide to do the same thing. Rob Schmitz of member station KQED talks with Renee Montagne about Lancaster's progress fighting the foreclosure crisis.

Click for story

Baguio takes second look at Burnham Plan

BAGUIO CITY – This city, the country’s undisputed summer capital, was designed by Chicago-based architect Daniel Burnham to host 25,000 residents in 1906.

Officially chartered in 1909, Baguio will celebrate its centennial next year. The city achieved its maximum population in less than 50 years, from 489 residents in 1903 to 29,262 in 1948. Almost 100 years later, local architects and urban planners have been busy studying how much of the city’s development template could still be applied to an urban renewal campaign for a city population that reached 183,000 in 1991.

Baguio’s population grew to just under 300,000 after 2005, says Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr.
Filipinos today only remember Burnham for the manmade lake and park named after him. But his name has been inevitably tied to the city he helped build.

Feet First -- Building Walkable Communities

Help Make the Emerald City More Green!

Seattle Green Map, a local coalition of citizens and organizations concerned about the social and environmental health of Seattle, is looking for new members to help launch a print map of Seattle's "green" resources and expand the current interactive online version.
Started in 2002, Seattle Green Map (SGM) is an independent nonpartisan organization made up entirely of volunteers and supported by the contributions of time, resources, and funds from local organizations, businesses, government agencies, and individuals.

SGM is a part of the Green Map System (www.greenmap.org ), a global eco-cultural movement, energized by local action, knowledge, and responsibility. To date there are 378 green map projects throughout the world in 49 countries.

Seattle Green Map ( www.seattlegreenmap.net) is looking for people passionate about local sustainability issues and their community. Currently we are most in need of volunteers with skills, knowledge, or experience in the following areas: community outreach, web design, GIS online mapping, marketing and fundraising, and graphic design.
Everyone is welcome to join us for this community effort.

TO APPLY Interested people should contact Rebecca Deehr at becca@feetfirst.info.

UPPSA Holiday Party

You are invited to come out and celebrate Christmas in November! Yes we will be celebrating the holidays on November 21st and we're expecting all of you to come out and join us.

We will eat Korean Barbeque and then Karaoke!

What better way to celebrate the holidays? So please come out and meet us on Friday, November 21st at 6pm @:

San Soo Gap San 5247 North Western Avenue for dinner and

Lincoln Karaoke at 5526 North Lincoln Avenue afterwards!

Chicago History Museum Exhibit on High Speed Rail in Chicago

November 8, 2008–January 19, 2009

Chicago History Museum

KPMG and Paul and Katherine Snyder Community Gallery

Monday–Wednesday & Friday–Saturday 9:30 am–4:30 pm Thursday 9:30 am–8 pm; Sunday 12–5 pm

Free with museum entrance fee

The Chicago of the near future—too pluralistic, decentralized, and complex for the sort of comprehensive urban plan proposed by Daniel Burnham in 1909—will require new tools, mechanisms, and strategies. Burnham 2.0, promulgated and curated by the Chicago Architectural Club, will envision a new plan of Chicago in the form of discrete topics, episodes, and urban projects conceived by members of the Club working in teams. The show will also display the top entries in the Club’s biennial Burnham Prize international design competition, focusing this year on designs for one aspect of the new composite urban plan: an intermodal terminal in Chicago’s West Loop district where a regional high-speed train hub will interface with local highway, metro, and riverway networks.

Presented by the Chicago Humanities Festival in partnership with the Chicago Architectural Club and the Chicago History Museum

Jobs: GIS Analyst, City of Janesville, Wi

Janesville, located in south central Wisconsin, is a progressive Council-Manager administered city of more than 63,000. Newly created position is responsible for maintenance of City’s GIS system, datasets, and base maps using ESRI software. Performs complex spatial analysis; researches, collects and analyzes data for inclusion in reports and documents. Responds to public inquiries and provides information related to zoning, land use planning, mapping and other data requests. Prepares maps and graphic displays for presentations, meetings, and technical reports for the Community Development Department and other city departments. Requires Bachelors degree in Geography, Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture or a related field, or Associates Degree in CADD or GIS with two years of work experience; self-motivated, detail orientated, energetic individual, with excellent oral and written communication skills. Salary range $35,700 - $50,741 depending upon education and experience. Janesville residency preferred. Excellent fringe benefit package. Applications due 11/21/08. Send cover letter with resume and references to the Human Resources Division or you may apply online.

Click for more information

Photo Credit

HOUSING AND THE OLYMPIC GAMES

HOUSING AND THE OLYMPIC GAMES
Learning from the past…making a positive social legacy in the future

Presentation and discussion with Claire Mahon
Joint Coordinator of the Project on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights at the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights

Thursday November 13, 2008 10:30-12noon Great Cities Institute 4th Floor, CUPPA Hall 412 S Peoria St.
Claire Mahon is part of an international research team working on the Olympic Games and Housing Rights, coordinated by the Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights. She is also a Research Associate and occasional Senior Lecturer at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, and an Adjunct Clinical Professor of Law at the University of Michigan Law School.

Ms. Mahon is principle author of Fair Play for Housing Rights: Mega-Events, Olympic Games and Housing Rights (Geneva: COHRE, 2007), and Multi-Stakeholder Guidelines for Mega-Events and Housing Rights (Geneva:COHRE, 2007). As part of the research for this project on Mega-events, Olympic Games and Housing Rights, she undertook missions to visit previous Olympic Host Cities, namely Seoul, Atlanta, Barcelona, Athens, Sydney, and London. The research findings were published in 7 separate reports on Housing Rights in Olympic Host Cities.

Ms. Mahon has extensive experience working on human rights with particular attention to monitoring economic, social and cultural rights in the field, and in accessing the UN human rights mechanisms. She has also taught and trained students, diplomats, advocates, field officers, and UN staff in over 20 countries, including Australia, Canada, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, the USA and Vietnam.

Sponsored by UIC Great Cities Institute, Nathalie P. Voorhees Center for Neighborhood and Community Improvement, Urban Planning and Policy Department, and the Urban and Public Affairs Program.

Please contact Brenda Parker (bkparker@uic.edu) or Janet Smith (janets@uic.edu) if you need assistance or further information about this event.

Janet Smith
Co-Director, Nathalie P. Voorhees Center
Associate Professor, Urban Planning and Policy Program
University of Illinois at Chicago
400 S. Peoria St.
Suite 2100 (MC345)
Chicago, Illinois 60607
312-996-5083
http://www.uic.edu/cuppa/voorheesctr/

Internship: The Renaissance Collaborative, Inc.

The Renaissance Collaborative is a non-profit devoted to addressing the housing needs of low- and moderate-income residents in Chicago's near- and mid-south communities.

The centerpiece of TRC's work is The Renaissance Apartments and Fitness for Life Center, a 101-unit single room occupancy (SRO) living center with supportive services.

The Renaissance Apartments and Fitness for Life Center resides in a historic building that was once home to the Wabash YMCA. The Wabash Y was the hub of Black civic and social activity in the early 1900s. As Blacks migrated from the South to the North, the Wabash Y was the orientation center for new African American arrivals seeking a better way of life.

Today, The Renaissance Apartments and Life Center continues to help people improve and rebuild their lives. The facility offers health and wellness, continued recovery support, nutrition, mental and physical health services; employment education and training; job readiness, employment referrals and retention services as well as life management training.

Employment and Education is our core component of our comprehensive supportive housing agenda. This means that the other primary services (Health & Wellness and Life Skills) support an Education-Employment agenda of our residents. Some have barriers beyond education and employment that must be addressed in order for them to secure their employment/education goals? These barriers may be mental, physical, an ex-offender record, etc.

Supportive Services-

Education and Employment: Entrepreneurship Seminars
GED, Computer Classes, Customer Service Training, Landscaping Training Program

Health and Wellness: AA/NA Meetings, Nutrition Classes, Counseling,
Relapse Prevention

Life Skills: Criminal Expungement, Financial Literacy and IDA
Program, Housing Referrals,
Social Events

Employment and Education is our core component of our comprehensive supportive housing agenda. This means that the other primary services (Health & Wellness and Life Skills) support an Education-Employment agenda of our residents. Some have barriers beyond education and employment that must be addressed in order for them to secure their employment/education goals? These barriers may be mental, physical, an ex-offender record, etc.

Internship Description: (Supportive Services Intern- Job/Business Development)

The internship as described has the potential to be tailored to fit the criteria to fulfill the requirements of a Master's Project or a Senior Capstone Project

Our Supportive Services division is in need of an intern to work along side our staff on a variety of projects.

Some areas where the potential intern would work would be:

Social Venture/Business Planning
Case Management
Clerical/Administrative Support
Advocacy
Community Outreach

Interested Parties should have a background in or be students in:

* Social work
* Urban planning and policy
* Urban and economic development
* Business and community development

Candidates should be computer literate
Open to undergraduate, graduate students, or volunteers.

Days and Hours are flexible


Application instructions:

Please forward Cover Letter or Letter of Interest, and Resume to:
Walter Bush, Education and Employment Manager

773-924-9271 ext 29
fax 773-924-9271
wbush@trcwabash.org

American Radio Works Documentary: After the Projects

American Radio Works a program of American Public Media introduces a radio documentary, "After the Projects: The uncertain future of public housing."

Michael Whitehead recently moved into a clean one-bedroom apartment on a wide tree-lined street in Chicago. It's in a small apartment building with a tidy lawn in a fenced backyard. Whitehead had been living for 48 years in the Wells-Madden public housing complex. Until recently, Wells-Madden occupied 94 acres on Chicago's south side. It was infested with drug dealers, but until now, it was the only place Whitehead could afford to live. Whitehead is 57 years old and a diabetic. He lives on about $300 a month in government assistance plus any money from odd jobs for friends and family.

Elena Lawson lives in Dearborn Homes, a 16-building public housing complex on Chicago's south side. Lawson's mother moved into Dearborn in 1976. When Lawson grew up, she got her own apartment in the same building. She has two teenage sons. Lawson recently got a job, and the city is fixing up the building she used to live in at Dearborn. The family is temporarily living in a rundown apartment building nearby.

Click here for the story

Last Minute Halloween Costume Ideas

Source: Planetizen

Big Box

This one is incredibly straightforward. Just find yourself a big cardboard box, cut some arm holes and bam! You’re a 150,000 square-foot mega-retailer ready to crush local business and drain the traditional downtown! And look! There’s a sale on candy corn on aisle 29!

Bike Lane

Here's an easy one. Just get some black clothes and some white tape. Make two strong lines from each foot to each shoulder and tape out a simple bike on your torso in between. Fashionable and bikeable.

Sprawl

This costume is more of a role-playing challenge. Try to take up as much room as possible. Drink a lot of water. Bring two cars. And wherever you go, make sure it's at least 20 miles away.

New Urbanism

Go all-pastel. Invite someone to sit on your lap –er, front porch. 

Urban Growth Boundary

This is a good one for making friends. Get yourself a hula hoop and see how many people can fit inside. How many people can your region support?

Public Transit

You'll need a good back for this one. Just slap a bus number on your chest and offer piggy-back rides. You can call yourself a carpool if you want, but public transit is much more inclusive.

Historic Preservation

Requirement: you have to be old for this one. All you have to do is find some old clothes in your closet (preferably from at least 20 years ago), and wear them. You're probably wearing them already, so you're good to go. Thanks for keeping the past alive!

Blight

This costume pretty much requires you to make other people's costumes worse. You can choose your own method, but you might find it easiest to spill drinks on people, dishevel some wigs, or just break some nose.

Green Roof

Just get a hat, find some leaves, add glue and you're done. Be sure to tell people how much energy you’re saving by cooling yourself from the top down.

Transit Oriented Development

This is the ideal costume if you're going out with a group. One person dresses up like a bus and everyone else goes as buildings. Just remember to stay close to each other. But if you do get separated, you can still be transit adjacent development.

Click for Full Story

Written by Nate Berg an assistant editor of Planetizen.

Fellowship: Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellowship

The fellowship is a leadership development opportunity for motivated individuals seeking to make a difference in the struggle to eliminate hunger and poverty. Fellows are placed for half their term of service with urban and rural community-based organizations all over the country involved in fighting hunger at the local level, such as food banks, economic development agencies, local advocacy groups, and faith-based organizations. They then move to Washington, District of Columbia to complete the year with six months of work at national organizations involved in the anti-hunger and poverty movement, including national advocacy organizations, think tanks, and federal agencies.

This program develops effective leaders with a deep understanding of hunger and poverty at both the local and national level that enables them to find innovative solutions and create the political will to end hunger.

Click Here for More

Friday Forum: Discusson on Mixed Use Development

Friday Forum

Where: Room 110 Cuppa Hall

When: Noon

Free Pizza and Soda

What:
The USX South Works site on Chicago's southeast side was once the site of one of the country's largest steel plants. In the mid 1950's, the 600 acre facility employed over 20,000 workers. Fundamental changes in the steel industry and the gradual obsolescence of this manufacturing
plant, brought about the decline and eventual closure of steel making operations in the early 1980's.


McCaffery Interests is responsible for managing Lakeside Development, the transformation of the former 600 acre U.S. Steel mill site located in south Chicago into a mixed-used LEED-ND Platinum new community. The site has over 800 feet of frontage on Lake Michigan and is one of the largest single tracts of land available for redevelopment in the city. Factors that have hindered redevelopment include the lack of easy access to the expressway system and blighted conditions in the surrounding neighborhood.


Nasutsa Mabwa, MUPP is Project Manager-Development at McCaffery Interests. Mainly focused on strategic and operational management, Nasutsa interfaces with municipal government and leads the development team to ensure successful completion of Lakeside Development. She was formerly Director of Development at Mayor's Office of Workforce
Development, GIS Manager at Mayor's Office of Workforce Development, and City Planner at Dept of Planning and Development, City of Chicago.

The Burnham Plan featured at this years Chicago Humanities Festival.

Sit in on two key lectures centered around planning at the 19th Annual Humanities Festival. Details are as follows;

The Plan of Chicago: 100 Years of City-Building

Sunday November 2nd. 12:00-1:30PM. Harris Theater @ 205 E Randolph

Northwestern University historian Carl Smith, author of the prize-winning The Plan of Chicago: Daniel Burnham and the Remaking of the American City, will lay the groundwork for a discussion with innovative Chicago architect/designer Jeanne Gang, former director of World Business Chicago Paul O’Connor; and Gerald Adelmann, champion of regional open spaces. Their conversation will be moderated by architecture and urban affairs writer Lee Bey, the executive director of the Chicago Central Area Committee.

 

The Global City of the Future

Sunday November 2nd. 2:30-4:00PM. Harris Theater @ 205 E Randolph

How are cities around the world facing the challenges of the 21st century? Are the lessons of Burnham and Chicago relevant to shaping a more liveable and more fulfilling metropolis? This second program about the Burnham Plan and its legacy will tackle challenges facing Chicago and other global cities in the coming century.

Tickets can be acquired by clicking HERE Tickets are FREE to students, but limited.

Meet your UPPSA Board APA Rep. Kathryn Bowman

Katie is a first year graduate student in the MUPP program with a concentration in physical planning. She is interested in the creative ways that planners can involve communities in land use planning and resource allocation. Katie is from Oklahoma City and graduated from Boston College with a degree in Political Science. She has recently moved to Chicago from the Napa Valley, California, where she worked as a small town municipal planner. At UIC, Katie is working with the Vorhees Neighborhood Center, assisting with housing and neighborhood research. She is excited to serve as an APA Representative for UPPSA, helping to connect students to the resources and networks of the APA organization. Katie is happy to be in Chicago and enjoys checking out the many great restaurants and events.

Networking Event Tonight

UPPSA members,

Please be reminded that TONIGHT at Jak's Tap at 6pm, the UPPSA board is providing an opportunity for UPPSA members and REG (Real Estate Group) members to meet and discuss where our interests intersect.

Plus, you get FREE drinks (beer and/or soft drinks), pizza, & wings!!! (First 25 in the door only - so get there early - but good conversation is always free :)

As an urban planner it is vital that your network includes real estate developers, engineers, architects, landscape architects, and many more. Part of what UPPSA is providing its members with is multiple opportunities to increase their interdisciplinary network. Come find out about upcoming spring events that UPPSA, REG, and EWB are planning.

If you are an UPPSA member you are invited and should take advantage of what your dues go towards funding. I know some of you have class but you should stop by after and see if we are still there. I will be there and I look forward to seeing you all there too!

Cindy Pritzker Lecture on Urban Life and Issues

Date: Tue. November 18, 2008

Time: 6:00 pm

Location:
Harold Washington Library Center
Cindy Pritzker Auditorium
400 S. State Street
60605

About this event:

Please join us for the 3rd annual Cindy Pritzker Lecture on Urban Life and Issues. The 2008 Pritzker Lecture will be delivered by Martha Lavey, Artistic Director of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. Ms. Lavey will discuss how the arts are integral to a thriving city and its people. This annual lecture series was created by the Chicago Public Library’s Board of Directors to honor the dedication and generosity of Cindy Pritzker, former Library Board President and founder of the Chicago Public Library Foundation.

Metropolitan Planning Council Regional Policy & Sensible Growth Intern

About the Internship 
Supports Regional Policy program staff with research and writing on transportation, urban development issues, and sensible growth.  An understanding of transportation and urban development policy, regional and state government, and community development is preferred. Strong research, writing, and analytical skills are a must.

Responsibilities

• Research best practices and analyze policy recommendations.
• Assist with writing and editing of MPC written material, including content for Web site and print publication
• Assist with outreach.

Campaigns and Projects

• Placemaking

Transportation Capital Investment Criteria

Tollway best practices

Public Private Partnerships

Skills and Qualifications

• Strong research, writing, and analytical skills
• Strong computer skills, especially Microsoft word, Adobe Illustrator, the Internet and computerized databases
• Ability to juggle projects, stay organized, and adhere to time tables
• Ability to work well independently as well as with others
• Familiarity with regional planning policy issues and/or the ability to distill concise, accurate descriptions of complicated policy issues a plus
• GIS experience a plus

Interns at MPC have exposure to a broad range of regional policy issues and the opportunity to connect with a variety of planning agencies, community groups and officials.

Hours: Minimum 15 hours a week, maximum 30 hours a week, beginning ASAP.

Compensation: $12/hour. 
To apply: Please forward a cover letter and resume to Jackie Diaz atjdiaz@metroplanning.org. 
Location: 25 E. Washington, Suite 1600
                 Chicago, IL 60602
                 (312) 922-5616

The Inaugural CUPPAH Cup

On Sunday, October 19, CUPPA students met for the kickball event at the South Campus Athletic Fields to decide the first winner of the CUPPAH Cup. The original match-up was PASA (the Public Administration Student Association) vs. UPPSA. Only three MUPPs made it to the game, so UPPSA was forced to forfeit the title. However, in the spirit of sportsmanship and in appreciation of the great fall weather, the participants reorganized the teams for a goodwill game. It was a great time. Special thanks to Lauren and Grace (PASA Chairs) for suggesting and organizing the event. Special thanks also go to Danielle, Dean, and Reggie of PASA for joining forces with the UPPSA members to win the goodwill game. More pictures may be found on the UPPSA group on Facebook.

Le Projet Triangle, Paris, France

New policy paves way for first inner city tower since 1977

Source: WorldArchitectureNews.com

A historic shift in the French capital’s strict planning rules this summer has opened the way for the first of a series of dramatic new towers. For over thirty years Paris has laid low in the building stakes with a ban on buildings over 37 m in height brought in under Jacques Chirac’s rule when he was Mayor of Paris in 1977. But on Thursday the first tower to be built in the French capital’s inner city, following the lifting of the ban in July, was revealed.

Officials in Paris voted to lift a ban on high rise buildings in the French capital in a bid to combat the city’s housing shortage and invigorate the city’s economic status. This decision has left the path clear for 20 high-rise designs, first flaunted by the current Mayor Bertrand Delanoe in November last year and following the inauguration of President Sarkozy, to be approved.

The first of these designs to be approved is Herzog & de Meuron’s Le Projet Triangle which will stand at Porte de Versailles in Southern Paris. The design was showcased by Deputy Mayor, Anne Hidalgo yesterday who said in her blog: “Paris is indeed now part of the first world capitals in tourism business, trade fairs and exhibitions. Since 2001, the City of Paris has always radiated at the heart of its priorities economic development, employment and innovation. In a context of European and global competition increased, this ambition must now be translated in concrete by reinforcing its economic attractiveness.”

Click for Full Story

Event: Chicago Architectural Tour for MUPPS on Saturday!

Hi Everyone,
There will be a Chicago Architectural Tour this weekend for MUPP's on Saturday.
Meet at the Could Gate (the Bean) in Millennium Park at 1:30. It should be a great day to stroll around the city, learn a little bit about the buildings and the stories behind them.
Hope to see you there!
-Jerad Weiner
UPPSA Board Secretary

New UPPSA Logo

The new UPPSA logo which will be displayed on future communications, stationary and T-shirts.

Thanks to Rachel Shimkus for her design work.

Block 37 subsidy clears city commission

Source: Crain's Chicago Business

(Crain’s) — The Chicago Community Development Commission approved Tuesday a $12-million subsidy for Block 37, a move that paves the way for the construction of a new tower that will include a 354-room Loews hotel.

The tax-increment financing (TIF) subsidy reimburses Block 37 developer Joseph Freed & Associates LLC for cost-overruns on the construction of a Chicago Transit Authority station being built underneath the new development at State and Randolph streets. In turn, the deal requires Freed to sell the development rights, which Freed had been marketing, to New York-based Loews Hotels Holding Corp. for $1.

The deal now goes to the full city council for approval. A spokeswoman for Freed had no comment, and a Loews spokeswoman didn’t return a call seeking comment.

Click for Full Story

Economic Thinking is Job Number One

Source: Planetizen 

In the midst of this financial crisis, it is doubly important to understand the economic perspective on urban planning and real estate development, argues USC Professor Peter Gordon.

Is it the best of times or is it the worst of times? What do we know?

We know that life expectancies are longer then ever and keep on improving. And we know that humans have been on the planet for about 50,000 years with most living at subsistence levels (about $200 a year in today’s dollars) up until only 200-250 years ago. That’s for 99.5 percent of our existence. The last 0.5 percent has been amazing.

Look at the more recent past. When it comes to appreciating what we routinely consume today versus what was available to us not so long ago, page through an old Sears-Roebuck catalogue (you can get them for as far as 100 years back) or look at a 5-year old electronics catalogue. Who wants to trade places with our ancestors or recent predecessors? One cannot be anything but optimistic when looking at the long sweep of history.

At the same time, we read daily about serious financial and economic crises here and abroad. We are trying to figure out how we got into these -- and how to get out. Let’s come back to that and return to the good news story for a moment.

Click for Full Story

Student Members: Submit a Poster Presentation Proposal

Extended Deadline: October 20, 2008
Poster Presentations and Exhibits
Poster presentations, displayed in the APA National Planning Conference exhibit hall Saturday through Tuesday, highlight individual presentations on planning research, case studies, and planning projects. Special time is set aside on Monday for informal discussion with attendees. Submit your proposal today via e-mail to speakerinfo@planning.org. 
Proposals must include three key learning objectives, and a description of your poster project. Descriptions must be between 100 and 300 words. You will receive an e-mail confirmation once we receive your proposal. 
Please e-mail speakerinfo@planning.org with any questions. 

The Bike-Friendly Minneapolis Midtown Greenway

Minneapolis — ranked the No. 2 bicycling city in the country by the U.S. Census Bureau — supports bicycling with a nontraditional bike shop and bike parking facility on the Midtown Greenway. It offers cyclists storage space to park their bikes on a long- or short-term basis, shower facilities, repair and rental services. Follow the link below to see the APA's video feature of this business.

http://myapa.planning.org/nationalconference/about/index.htm

Call for Abstracts

5th International Conference of the Research Network Private Urban
Governance & Gated Communities

Santiago, Chile - March 30th to April 2nd 2009

Deadline: October 31, 2008

Urban design panel: Gated Communities and the Role of Urban Design

This panel aims to investigate the urban design dimension of the
increasingly ubiquitous gated communities. It seeks to define key
aspects that should be defined by public policy in order to ensure a
quality public realm is produced between adjacent communities. The
panel welcomes papers that explore the design of these communities in
different cultural contexts but which generally follow three lines of
inquiry:
— Do the physical features of GCs matter and how? This line of inquiry
intends to examine the relationship between physical characteristics
of GCs and their local and city-wide social-spatial consequences. In
particular, what are the 'segregative characteristics' of different
types of GCs, and how do their design features function and impact on
the public realm? These physical features include morphological
elements, transit stops, community and commercial facilities and
amenities.
— How do the design characteristics of GCs evolve/ materialise through
development processes that involve various players (e.g. politicians,
planners, architects, developers, etc.)? What is the role of public
policy in defining the design parameters of such communities? How can
a mutually beneficial relationship between different communities be
regulated, and the creation of a positive public realm ensured?
Cross-national analysis is welcomed to explore the applicability and
variation of urban design approach in different development contexts.
For instance, what are the differences between low, medium and high
density communities in this regard?
— What is implied by GCs for conventional theories and principles in
urban design, especially for residential neighbourhoods? What happens
to conventional urban design doctrines, for instance crime prevention
through environmental design (CPTED), in the face of a city dominated
by large scale gated communities? How can we evaluate the ongoing
morphological transformation of GCs with respect to the ideals of
sustainable urban form?


For further information, please visit: http://gated-communities.uchilefau.cl/.

Lecture: "Electronic Voting: Danger and Opportunity"

Edward W. Felten, Princeton University

Friday, October 17, 2008

11 a. m., Lecture Center B1

Abstract:
 
Electronic voting machines have made our elections less reliable and  less secure, but recent developments offer hope of a better system in  the future. Current research offers the hope of a future voting  system that is more reliable and more secure than ever before, at  reasonable cost, by combining high-tech and low-tech methods so that  each can compensate for the weaknesses of the other. This talk will  sketch what this future might look like, and will highlight some of the research that may make it possible.

DIFFERENTIAL CITIZENSHIP IN THE SUBPRIME MORTGAGE MARKET

Great Cities Institute as part of the Great Cities Institute Faculty Scholar Seminar Series is pleased to present

DIFFERENTIAL CITIZENSHIP IN THE SUBPRIME MORTGAGE MARKET
 Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. Great Cities Institute, Suite 400 CUPPA Hall, 412 South Peoria, Chicago, IL 60607

PRESENTER:
PHILIP ASHTON, Faculty Scholar, Great Cities Institute and Assistant Professor, UIC Department of Urban Planning and Policy

Credit risk has been distinctly racialized in the US since its assessment emerged as a "science" in the early 20th century. With the current mortgage crisis as its backdrop, this paper employs a detailed historical analysis of the subprime mortgage market to argue that the racialization of risk has taken on new forms under financial liberalization, producing a dramatic restructuring of citizenship in its wake. It identifies several key moments since the late 1980s where financial crises and situation-specific emergency interventions provided opportunities for federal regulators to isolate toxic (system-threatening) risks, and to roll out new rules governing the formation of markets around different risk segments. These moments segmented minority borrowers into market structures where they were differentially exposed to the perils of high cost lending, reproducing and extending their status as risky investments.

Phil Ashton is Assistant Professor of Urban Planning & Policy at the University of Illinois at Chicago. His research focuses on financial restructuring, inner city markets, and the financialization of urban policy. His recent publications include "Advantage or disadvantage? The changing institutional landscape of underserved mortgage markets" in Urban Affairs Review (2008), and "An appetite for yield: The anatomy of the subprime mortgage crisis" forthcoming in Environment and Planning A.

Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 3:00 p.m.
Great Cities Institute, 4th Floor CUPPA Hall
412 South Peoria, Suite 400, Chicago, Illinois 60607
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 at 3:00 p.m.
Great Cities Institute                                                               .
412 S. Peoria, Suite 400
Chicago, Illinois 60607

World Habitat Day 2008

Source: http://www.unhabitat.org

The United Nations has designated the first Monday in October each year as World Habitat Day. The idea is to reflect on the state of our towns and cities and the basic right to adequate shelter for all. It is also intended to remind the world of its collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat.
The global observance of the occasion this year will be led from the Angolan capital, Luanda. The celebrations in Angola will show the world, how the country, after years of conflict, is progressing in the establishment of harmonious cities through improvements in urban infrastructure and services, and a new urban development strategy.
The United Nations chose the theme of Harmonious Cities for 2008 to raise awareness about the problems of rapid urbanization, its impact on the environment, the growth of slums, and the urbanisation of poverty as more and more people teem into towns and cities looking for a better life.

To read more about the World Habitat Awards:

http://www.unhabitat.org/content.asp?typeid=19&catid=564&cid=5945

Bill Paves Way for a Third Term for Bloomberg

Source: The New York Times

City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn said on Thursday that legislation to alter the city’s term limits law would be introduced on Tuesday, paving the way for Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Ms. Quinn and more than 40 other elected officials to stay in office four more years.

The Council’s vote on the measure — which Mr. Bloomberg has pushed for behind the scenes — could come later this month, Ms. Quinn told reporters at a news conference. And while she declined to reveal her position on the legislation, she said she would meet with other members of the Council to discuss the bill and “move forward in the process after that.”

Ms. Quinn’s remarks came on a dramatic day at City Hall, as Mr. Bloomberg for the first time explained why he wanted to run for another term. Her comments, and the rapid timetable she described, immediately set off criticism that a deal had already been struck between the mayor and Ms. Quinn, who has been his close ally, to overhaul the term limits law, which restricts citywide elected officials to two four-year terms.

Click to read Full Story

Spend Spring 2009 at University College Dublin!

The UIC Office of International Affairs is proud to announce a new international partnership with University College Dublin (UCD), Ireland.  Through this partnership, we will be able to exchange graduate-level students in the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs with University College Dublin through the UIC Exchange Program.  UCD is currently offering three UIC CUPPA graduate students the chance to take courses at UCD for spring semester 2009.  In return, UIC will be hosting three UCD graduate students in CUPPA during spring semester.
 
UCD’s spring semester begins on the 3^rd Monday in January and final exams end on the 3^rd Saturday in May.  Courses will be offered in the UCD School of Geography, Planning & Environmental Policy.  Courses taken at UCD will be applied to participants’ UIC transcripts and grades will count toward his/her GPA.  
 
Through the exchange program, participants need only pay their UIC tuition and fees, accommodation in Ireland, plane ticket fee, international health insurance, and food/entertainment costs.  There are no additional program fees associated with the exchange program.  
 
The deadline to apply is October 24, 2008.  Please contact Kristin Kutella in the Office of International Affairs at kkutella@uic.edu or 312-996-5455 for more information or to request an application.  
 
To visit University College Dublin’s Website please click here: http://www.ucd.ie/
For specific information regarding UCD’s School of Geography, Planning & Environmental Policy, please click here:  http://www.ucd.ie/gpep/gpepinfo/index.html
For more information regarding international student life at UCD, please click here: http://www.ucd.ie/international/

Tips from Working Planners

Source: APA Website

Dale Medearis, Ph.D.
Senior Environmental PlannerNorthern Virginia Regional Commission


What I Do:
Among other things, I coordinate the commission's energy, climate, and sustainability initiatives. I also assist in the management of the organization's international cooperation that now extends to approximately 20 other regional councils in Europe.

How I Got Where I Am Today:
I spent 20 years at the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Office of International Affairs, mostly coordinating its work with urban environmental planning and Europe. I also had the privilege of spending a lot of time in Germany studying "green" buildings, land use, brownfields, watershed management, and local climate initiatives. Even after a short while in European cities, it is easy to see that there is lots to learn and apply to the benefit of our own local and regional sustainability initiatives. Last year I decided to leave my job at EPA and work in Northern Virginia to apply much of the innovation from Europe that I encountered while in Germany and at EPA.

What I Look for When Hiring:
We are a small office — six within the environmental planning division. I would say that the skill that invariably characterizes our office is a collection of great people who thoughtfully balance understanding of the technical and policy-making aspects of the environmental issues affecting the region. The team here is highly motivated by a strong passion to explore new approaches and strategies that will advance sustainable development in northern Virginia and beyond. There is a creative enthusiasm that permeates the work of my colleagues.

Advice for New Planners:
I have to encourage environmental planners to consider the importance of classes or courses that deal with energy (supply and consumption) in general but renewable energies and their integration with climate change in particular. There are many well-intentioned local/regional initiatives that sincerely try to deal with climate change. Unfortunately, they lack integration with actionable energy plans.

Posted by: ValBona Kokoshi

Confidence vote for area transit; RTA official calls woes 'manageable'

Source: Chicago Tribune

The problems confronting Chicago-area mass transit are completely "manageable," the chief of the Regional Transportation Authority told city aldermen Thursday in a surprisingly upbeat assessment.

It clashed with dire budget warnings from the transit agencies about the effects of high fuel costs and lost revenue because of free rides now being provided to some passengers.

Regarding day-to-day service, a small boost in the transit subsidy that the state provided in January will provide stability "for years to come" in the operating budgets of the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace, RTA Chairman Jim Reilly told the Chicago City Council Transportation Committee.

Fare increases will be required from time to time, Reilly said, but it is "way too early" to say whether the CTA or Pace will need to increase fares in 2009, he said.

Metra, which boosted fares in February, has already ruled out another hike next year. But CTA Chairman Carole Brown has made it clear the agency's budget challenges are severe and that a fare increase "has to be on the table."

Transit insiders said Reilly's portrayal Thursday of transit operations being on an even keel could be used against the CTA when the agency announces its next fare hike. Reilly said the biggest problem facing the transit system is that the state has not provided capital funding in four years.

Click for whole story

Posted by: ValBona Kokoshi

In Burnham's honor, city plans 'no little' celebration;

Source: The Oregonian

In Burnham's honor, city plans 'no little' celebration; Exhibits to highlight work of past, future.

The celebration of the regional plan that remade the face of Chicago and its suburbs will formally begin in June, highlighted by the unveiling of two temporary pavilions in Millennium Park designed by internationally acclaimed architects Zaha Hadid and Ben Van Berkel, organizers announced Thursday.
Hundreds of events -- exhibits, tours, concerts and building projects -- are planned in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Plan of Chicago, often called the Burnham Plan after its chief author, Chicago architect Daniel Burnham.

Click for whole story

Oregon City revising city's code for trees

Oregon City is working to protect more trees, revising the municipal code to expand the number of "heritage trees" as well as strengthening protection for trees on private property.

"We are working on developing a fully fledged tree preservation program," said Pete Walker, an associate city planner who has been spearheading the efforts.
Walker said the city, which is undertaking the first large revision of its municipal code in more than three years, hopes to create more tree-lined streets, improve air quality and increase the tree canopy.

Click for whole story

Posted by: ValBona Kokoshi

Sence of Place: "Everyday Sidewalk Poetry"

Source: Weekend America

A street party is getting underway here in St. Paul to celebrate a collection of poems by local residents that's been published on paper - and in cement. For the last few months the city has been implanting poems penned by St. Paulites in freshly poured sidewalks all over town. The public art project is designed to engage residents' artistic impulses and bring more poetry into everyday life.

Click for whole story

Posted by: ValBona Kokoshi

Event: Shanghai Transforming Exhibition

Exhibition Opening and Reception
Tuesday, October 14, 5:30-7:30pm

Guest Speaker
Iker Gil
Author, architect and curator

COST: Free
LOCATION: Chicago Architecture Foundation,
224 South Michigan Avenue

RSVP rsvp@architecture.org

In partnership with the Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate at Roosevelt University

Shanghai Transforming explores the vast changes taking place in China’s most populous city. With photos and graphs, the exhibition provides a portrait of a city that offers unprecedented opportunities to architects and urban planners.

In contrast to new construction in the established cities of Europe and America, Shanghai’s new architecture and infrastructure challenges traditional spatial and social relationships. The exhibition asks us to consider the future of China—and of our rapidly urbanizing planet.

Architect and urban planner Iker Gil is curator of the exhibition. Photography is the work of Juan de Dios Pérez.

Alfonso Iannelli: Enriching the Prairie Spirit

Enriching the Prairie Spirit: The design studio of Alfonso Iannelli
October 16
As a college student in the 1950s witnessing the great "second wave" of Chicago architecture, Sam Guard would spend his weekends in Iannelli's workshop listening to this master craftsman recounting the building of Chicago during the Prairie School era. Hear Guard discuss Iannelli’s work in the Chicago area, including the history and current threats to his Park Ridge studios, whose associates included Bruce Goff and Edgar Miller.

Location: Chicago Cultural Center, 77 W. Randolph Street, Chicago Admission: FREE Time: 12:15 p.m.
For more Preservation Snapshots lecture information, go to www.landmarks.org.

Volunteer Opportunity: Common Threads

Common Threads Needs Your Help!




If you enjoy working with children and appreciate learning about cultures from around the world then this will be a great opportunity for you to help fulfill Common Threads’ mission!!!

Common Threads is a Chicago based non-profit organization that educates children on the importance of nutrition, physical well-being and cultural diversity through cooking. Through the simple process of preparing and sharing a nutritious meal, children who participate in our programs learn to connect with their bodies, their neighbors, and their world in bite-sized lessons. And we need your help to assure that this experience is a safe, fun and an invigorating one for all!

Here’s a glimpse of what we do:

WHO: There are currently 875 children enrolled in our program, ages 8 to 12.

WHEN: Mondays through Thursdays during after school hours for 12 weeks.

WHERE: We are established in 12 sites in Chicago including Humboldt Park,
Englewood and Chinatown.

If you are interested in being a part of this wonderful experience while giving back to your community please contact Mary Ann at maryann@commonthreads.org or at
312-752-2688. You can also check out our website: www.commonthreads.org for more information!

Job Opportunity: Assistant to the Dean of the UIC College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs

Assistant to the Dean
UIC College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs

Duties: To provide high level and effective administrative and management support for the Dean related to the operations and activities of the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs (CUPPA) by coordinating and implementing, through the exercise of discretion and independent judgment, designated fiscal, personnel, grants, facilities, academic, technology, and /or general administrative and service functions under the direction of the Dean and in cooperation with the Associate Dean(s) and Assistant Dean(s).

Required: Masters degree in planning, public administration, communication, education, or related field; one year experience in education or other administrative setting; advanced written and spoken communication skills, with demonstrated capability as a writer; good knowledge or capability to master word processing, e-mail, spreadsheet, databases, purchasing, communications, Internet and related software to share in departmental management; comfortable with multiple cultures and diverse approaches to problem solving. Multiple languages preferred, but not required. Candidates must be available to begin full-time appointment in Chicago on 11/16/08 or earlier.

For fullest consideration, submit CV or resume with three references listed (e-mail transmission to cuppa@uic.edu greatly preferred) by 10/24/08, to:

Albert Schorsch, III
Chair, CUPPA Assistant to Dean Search
College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs University of Illinois at Chicago
412 S. Peoria, Rm. 115, M/C 350
Chicago, IL 60607-7064
cuppa@uic.edu

Message from the UPPSA President

MUPPS,

First, someone paid their UPPSA dues in cash. UPPSA does not accept cash.
I have no idea who you are (one of the reasons it is bad to pay in cash).
Please let me know if you paid your UPPSA dues in cash and we will get your money back to you. Since you made an attempt to pay your dues before the deadline we will accept a check or money order.

Second, for people who have paid dues, turned in their registration form and have not gotten blackboard access - I will say this again - UPPSA had trouble with their Blackboard site and was unable to enroll members until a couple of days ago. Now that this problem has been cleared up it will take a little while to process the paperwork. Please be patient and you can expect to have access by the end of this week or the beginning of next.

Third, you are able to enroll as a student for the IL-APA state conference. You do NOT need your APA member # - you do have to create an account but it is not contingent on getting your official APA member # - it says all of this on the IL-APA website. It seems like some people were under the impression they needed their APA member # and have been waiting to get them before they enrolled for the conference. Based on this UPPSA will extend the deadline for FREE accommodations (you are able to book your own hotel at your convenience) to Oct. 10.

Best,

Angela Larsen, J.D.
Masters Candidate Urban Planning & Policy Graduate Assistant, Office of Sustainability UPPSA President
816.456.9491

Position Available: Graduate Hourly Research Assistant

The Urban Transportation Center is seeking an hourly graduate research assistant for up to 20 hours per week to work on the Seniors Ride Free project for the Regional Transportation Authority. The position entails identifying, obtaining and analyzing senior ridership information from CTA, Metra and Pace. The scope includes a survey of existing seniors who are registered for the free ride and reduced fare program. This not only an opportunity to undertake engaged research on a topical transportation issue but could be an academic Master's project as well. The assignment will begin in mid October and last until March 2009. There will be no tuition waiver. Interested individuals should contact Joe DiJohn at 312-996-1458 or at joedi@uic.edu.

News: College students adapt to high gas prices

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

Instead of driving, students opt to walk, ride public transportation, or use Zipcar

College students are arguably the group most sensitive to swings in gasoline prices and the quickest to adjust. So how has the dorm set reacted as the price at the pump surged then declined somewhat to a $3.64 national average?

They're finding inventive ways to spend less time behind the wheel, and university administrators are finding creative ways to assist them.

Just like the rest of Americans, students are mulling whether to use public transportation. Nationwide, ridership has been on an upswing. This year, public transportation ridership soared to over 2.8 billion trips in the second quarter of 2008 – an increase of about 140 million rides compared with trips taken in 2007, according to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). Of these riders, some 10.7 percent of public transit riders are students, according to a May 2007 study by the APTA.

Campuses have also seen a shift in students' commuting behaviors. At Michigan State University, cars in the university's commuter parking lot have declined 25 percent to 1,661 vehicles in the past year, according to the campus police. And biking to campus has also picked up speed among students. During July and August, students registered 2,346 bikes – an increase from the 858 bikes registered during the same months in 2003, the police said.

Click for Full Story

Opinion: New York City, Tear Down These Walls

Source: The New York Times

New York Times architecture critic Nicolai Ouroussoff argues that some buildings make the city worse, and lists of some that need to be demolished. Included in his list are Penn Station, Madison Square Garden and Astor Place.

"Instead of crying over what can’t be built, why not refocus our energies on knocking down the structures that not only fail to bring us joy, but actually bring us down?"

"Ugliness, of course, should not be the only criterion. There are countless dreadful buildings in New York; only a few (thankfully) have a traumatic effect on the city."

"So the list will not include affronts that are merely aesthetic. To be included, buildings must either exhibit a total disregard for their surrounding context or destroy a beloved vista. Removing them would make room for the spirit to breathe again and open up new imaginative possibilities."

Click for Full Story

News: Lessons of '86 helped, couldn't prevent new flood

Source: Daily Herald

Last week's flooding along the Des Plaines River sparked memories of the twin deluges of 1986 and '87, while raising questions as to why the lessons of 20 years ago couldn't prevent a repeat.

Experts say stormwater improvements inspired by those '80s floods aren't complete even now. Even if they were, they wouldn't necessarily have been able to hold back the downpour of Sept. 13.

The '86 flood was caused by days of rain that made the river level rise gradually. On Oct. 1, 1986, it crested in Des Plaines at 2 feet above the previous 1938 record and took a week to recede from thousands of homes and businesses.

The storm of Aug. 13-14, 1987, was a more sudden onslaught, with 9-plus inches of rain reported in 18 hours at O'Hare International Airport.

That deluge caused even more regional damage - and inspired officials not to take catastrophic flooding as isolated, once-in-a-lifetime events.

The recent storm was like a combination of '86 and '87, said Des Plaines Director of Engineering Tim Oakley. While caused by a single, deluge like in '87, it had its strongest effect on the river, similar to but not as bad as '86.

Click for full story

CMAP letter on draft EIS - Canadian National Railway proposed aquisition of EJ&E railway.

Today we will submit the final version of our letter to the Surface Transportation Board (link to document) regarding its draft Environmental Impact Statement on CN's proposed acquisition of the EJ&E railway. This issue has sparked debate across the region, with some communities vehemently opposed and others just as vehemently in favor. The letter describes five "requests for conditions" -- specific issues that we believe the STB should retain authority over in the event that volumes exceed CN's Operating Plan.

Unfortunately, the federal EIS process was not established in a way that carefully considers the best overall interests of a region. As our letter states, "Despite those limitations (of the process), we urge you (the STB) to ensure that the regional perspective is not just incidental
-- in CMAP's view, it should be paramount." The STB has said its decision could come in December or January.

Events: ULI - Future Challenges for Real Estate Development

"Playing the Game of Chess:
Future Challenges for Real Estate Development"






Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Union League Club of Chicago
Crystal Room
65 W. Jackson Boulevard
Chicago

Program:
8:00 a.m. - Registration, Networking & Continental Breakfast
8:30 a.m. - "Playing the Game of Chess: Future Challenges for Real Estate Development"
9:15 a.m. - Awards Presentation
10:00 a.m. - Adjourn

Guest Speaker:
William H. Hudnut III
Senior Resident Fellow, ULI/Joseph C. Canizaro Chair Public Policy, ULI - the Urban Land Institute

Moderator:
Scott Goldstein, Principal, Teska Associates & Vice Chair-Public Policy, ULI Chicago

Community Vision Awards presented by:
Mayor Joe Cook, Channahon, IL, & Vice Chair, Metropolitan Mayors Caucus
Ed Hoffman, President, Castlewood Homes & Member, Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
Joanna Trotter, Manager, Community Building Initiative, Metropolitan Planning Council
_________________________________________________________________________________

2008 Community Vision Award Winners:

DownTown Park Forest, Park Forest
Developer: Village of Park Forest
Mayor John A. Ostenburg
Located in Park Forest, IL, the transformation of the Park Forest Plaza to a new, revitalized business district, DownTown Park Forest is full of examples of innovation and creativity in public/private partnerships.

The Margot & Harold Schiff Residences, Chicago
Developer: Mercy Housing Lakefront
Alderman Walter Burnett, Jr., 27th Ward
The Schiff Residences (96 units) serves formerly homeless, disabled and very low-income single adults. It is located in the neighborhood formerly dominated by Cabrini-Green housing developments.

Special Recognition: Pacific Garden Mission, Chicago
Planner/Architect: Tigerman McCurry Architects, Ltd.
Alderman Robert W. Fioretti, 2nd Ward
Now located on South Canal Street, the Pacific Garden Mission is the largest continuously operating rescue mission in the country. The new 156,000 s.f. facility is LEED Silver Certified.

Community Vision Trkla Award: Winner will be announced at event.
A new award category that honors an upcoming leader in the real estate industry who shows a commitment to sensible land-use, civic spirit and community involvement.

Registration Fee: $35 per person

REGISTER ONLINE NOW
Registration Deadline: October 13, 2008