Thursday, July 31, 2008

Book Review: The Concrete Dragon: China's Urban Revolution and What It Means for the World

Source: We Make Money Not Art

The Concrete Dragon: China's Urban Revolution and What It Means for the World, by Thomas J. Campanella, an associate professor of urban design and planning at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a visiting professor at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design.

Publisher Princeton Architectural Press says: China is the most rapidly urbanizing nation in the world, with an urban population that may well reach one billion within a generation. Over the past 25 years, surging economic growth has propelled a construction boom unlike anything the world has ever seen, radically transforming both city and countryside in its wake. The speed and scale of China's urban revolution challenges nearly all our expectations about architecture, urbanism and city planning. China's ambition to be a major player on the global stage is written on the skylines of every major city. This is a nation on the rise, and it is building for the record books.

Click for More

Assistantship: Graduate Assistantship in the College of Language Arts and Sciences at UIC

Graduate Assistant
Public Affairs and Special Events
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

The graduate assistant will serve as the primary editorial and clerical assistant to the director of public affairs and special events for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Identify, collect and catalog the important news of the faculty, students and alumni of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Monitor the UIC daily news clippings, press releases, listserv submissions and campus-wide publications for breaking news, potential feature stories, and for timely posting to the LAS website.

General clerical support for special events: compile and maintain customized invitation lists, book initial room and catering reservations, organize mailings, track RSVPs, answer general public inquiries, and help staff events. Occasional evening work required. Proofread and edit copy for grammatical accuracy and compliance with UIC and LAS style and identity standards. Conduct research, when appropriate, for feature and news stories. When appropriate, work with director to provide assistance to LAS departments and programs with copy editing and employing consistent UIC style guidelines for departmental publications.

The ideal candidate will have exemplary communication and research skills, and pay pristine attention to detail. Applicants interested in this position should be enrolled in a graduate program within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Some design or writing experience is a significant plus.

Stacia Campbell
Director of Public Affairs and Special Events
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
University of Illinois at Chicago

telephone: 312.996.4687
e-mail: stacia@uic.edu

Job Opportunity: Associate Planner for McHenry County, Illinois

The Planning and Development Department is seeking highly qualified applicants to fill the Full Time Associate Planner position. The Associate Planner, under general supervision, provides planning services to elected and appointed officials as well as the general public. A major job function focuses on the collection and analysis of data, record keeping, mapping and general related planning duties. Click for More

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Job Opportunity: Director of Planning in the Village of Maywood, IL

The Village of Maywood, IL (pop. 27,000), a revitalizing, multicultural community located near Chicago, seeks a Director of Planning with experience in zoning, planning, code enforcement, housing revitalization, economic development, T.I.F. administration, grant administration, land acquisition, and commercial redevelopment. B.S./B.A. in urban planning, public administration, architecture, or related field required; Master’s Degree desired.

Five years of experience; two years at supervisory level. Experience in multicultural community and commitment to respecting diversity. Excellent benefits.

Closing date 8/18/08. Residency required within 15 mile radius. Send resume to Village Manager, 40 Madison Street, Maywood, IL 60153 or by e-mail to personnel@maywood-il.org

Click for More

Links: CEO's For Cities

CEOs for Cities is a national network of urban leaders dedicated to creating next generation cities that hold the answers to many of the challenges our nation faces.

If you care about keeping America globally competitive, fostering innovation, providing citizens access to opportunity and education, combating climate change, improving healthcare outcomes and learning how diverse people can co-exist peacefully, then you must be concerned about cities because that is where the solutions to these challenges will be met.

You can’t have a strong America without strong cities. Click for More

Job Opportunity: Tri-County Regional Planning Commission Planner 1

The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission has a position open for an entry-level planner. Responsibilities include assisting with integrated land use, transportation, and environmental planning and implementation projects. TCRPC is a proactive regional planning agency which serves three counties in central Illinois and is the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the region. Click for More

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Events: Tonight Sustainability Through Regional Transit Programs

Sustainability Through Regional Transit Programs
Public transit is a powerful tool for regions looking to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions from transportation. For public transit to succeed, however, the built environment must be designed to support it. Tonight at APA, Fred Hansen, of Portland's TriMet transit agency, will discuss how coordinated transportation and land-use planning can result in compact, efficient cities. He will also talk about what transit providers are doing to "green" their own operations, further enhancing their regions' sustainability.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008 — 5:00 p.m.

Burnham Conference Center at the American Planning Association
122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600, Chicago

Free — No RSVP required Open to APA members and nonmembers.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Assistantship: Graduate Assistantship UIC College of Medicine

The Department of Distance Education at the UIC College of Medicine has a RA position (50%) opening starting the fall semester. Below is a brief description of the position.


Position Description (50%)
Works with faculty to prepare surveys for distribution. Researches contact information and enrolls participants in survey database. Sends invitations to participants, researches bounced messages and follows up with additional mailings. Collects survey data, prepares data for analysis, and prepares reports on survey data.

All interested graduate students should send a cover letter along with their resume via email to Margaret Czart (mczart1@uic.edu) or fax to 312-996-1962.

Assistantship: Graduate Assistantship UIC College of Pharmacy Office

The UIC College of Pharmacy Office of Urban Affairs is seeking a 25% time Graduate Assistant. Selected candidate must be proficient in research data processing using Microsoft Office software. Experience with SPSS, SAS, and other statistical applications a plus. Applicant must be available 10-15 hours per week during normal business hours and able to start on August 25, 2008.

Please submit resumes to cjacks4@uic.edu by August 15, 2008.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Meet Your UPPSA Board: APA Representative, Valbona Kokoshi

Valbona Kokoshi spent most of her childhood in Tirana, Albania. She graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in Secondary Education, specializing in English and French. Shortly after her graduation, she moved to Illinois and taught Language Arts and French in Flossmoor and Vernon Hills. Through her travels and living in Europe, Valbona’s interest in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, and sustainable living grew more so, which inspired her to attend CUPPA’s Open House in the fall of 2007. Her decision to leave teaching was bitter-sweet, but she does not regret switching roles and playing that of a student. Valbona is a MUPP student, concentrating in Physical and International Planning. Currently, she is working as an intern at Rand McNally’s GIS Department, going to school full time and, when the weather permits it, sailing in Evanston.

Job Opportunity: Waukegan Main Street Executive Director in Waukegan, IL

Non-Profit Company seeks full-time, results-oriented, high energy, experienced, economic development professional. Serves as liaison between organization and board, city, community, state and national organizations. Directs annual work plan and implementation. Budget of 200K and coordinates 200 volunteers.

REQUIREMENTS:
BA, excellent communication and organizational skills. Marketing, volunteer management, and fundraising experience preferred. Fax resume to 847-623-6620 or email to Anderson [at] waukegandowntown.org by August 4th, 2008.

Contact Information
Contact Name: Theodora Anderson
Phone: 847/623-6650
Fax: 847/623-6620
E-mail Address: anderson [at] waukegandowntown.org
Website www.waukeganmainstreet.org

Postal Address
Waukegan Main Street
221 N. Genesee
Waukegan, Il 60085

Take Action: Transportation for America Campaign

Transportation for America has formed a broad coalition of housing, environmental, public health, urban planning, transportation and other organizations. We’re all seeking to align our national, state, and local transportation policies with an array of issues like economic opportunity, climate change, energy security, health, housing and community development.

Issues that will play a key role in strengthening the foundation of our nation and give families and individuals greater, and more appealing options.

We’re a campaign on the move, marshalling other like-minded groups and resources together to bring about a better vision of America for the 21st century. Join with us by taking action, signing up for updates, and stay tuned for upcoming opportunities for your organization or group to become a partner.

Together we can realize a better transportation system that works for all Americans. Click for More

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Meet Your UPPSA Board: Secretary, Jerad Weiner

Jerad Weiner is a product of the midwest. He was born in Wisconsin but grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. Jerad attended Illinois State University where he received his undergraduate degree in Arts Technology. After a few years of work, he decided to persue his Masters degree in the same field, but ended up finding a better fit in the Urban Planning and Policy program at UIC. His concentration is in physical planning and his interests are in vizualization and public space. His day job is at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago where he spends the day fixing computers and dreaming about graduating without any debt. He is reassured to know that being the Secretary doesn't require a pencil skirt.

Books: Le Corbusier Le Grand

Phaidon Press has released a new book on Le Corbusier. A spectacular visual biography of one of the greatest architects of the 20th century.

The 700 plus page book includes:

-Approximately 2,000 images and documents, many previously unpublished, feature his major built works, urban plans, paintings, publications, and furniture as well as sketches, archival photographs, and personal correspondence

-Rarely seen photographs and correspondence shed new light on Le Corbusier’s relationships with Josephine Baker, Eileen Gray, Fernand Léger, Pablo Picasso, Jean Prouvé, and many others.

-Insightful introductory essay by France’s most authoritative architectural historian and critic, Jean-Louis Cohen, and incisive chapter introductions by highly regarded Le Corbusier scholar Tim Benton

Click for More

Events: Registration is Open for the APA Illinois Conference

Registration is now open for the APA Illinois Conference 2008.

To be held from October 29th-31st in Champaign Urbana, Illinois.

Join the Illinois Chapters of the American Planning Association and the American Society of Landscape Architects at the 2008 State Conference. This years programs boast over 35 individual sessions focusing on a variety of planning and landscaping issues.

The keynote speakers for this years conference are former Milwaukee Mayor and CNU President John Norquist and APA President elect Bruce Knight. Click for More

Job Opportunity: Rockford Metropolitan Agency for Planning in Rockford, IL

Transportation Planner / Urban Planner / Transportation Economist
(Two Positions Available)
City of Rockford, IL

Rockford Metropolitan Agency for Planning (RMAP) seeks two (2) candidates to investigate, analyze, and manage ongoing traffic, transportation, and land use planning efforts for the Rockford MPO. Administers the federally required transportation planning process of RMAP. Prepares MPO working documents. Click for More

Meet Your UPPSA Board: APA Representative, Kemberle Taylor

Kemberle is a graduate of the University of Southern California’s school of Communications and is currently pursuing a masters in economic development and globalization at the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs. As an entrepreneur she established a real estate investment company that increased affordable housing options in underserved Chicago communities by purchasing, renovating, and leasing distressed properties. She currently serves as the corporate relations chair on the Innovateen board (a nonprofit after school career training program), as well as being the APA Representative for UPPSA. Kemberle was born and raised on Chicago’s north side and she loves hanging out with her old Chicagoan friends.

Events: Meeting tonight to discuss UIC bicycle parking

The College of Cycling (CoC) is hosting a preliminary meeting on the topic of bicycle parking for our campus. The intention of this meeting is to form a committee and possibly begin to identify short and long-range goals regarding bike parking at UIC.

WHEN: Thursday, July 31, 5:00 PM
WHERE: Jak's Tap, 901 W. Jackson


Ideally, this committee will carry members of the CoC, UIC Police, and Facilities Management. It's goal is to design and implement a UIC Bicycle Parking program that works for everyone. Topics of this discussion will include management of abandoned bicycles, bike registration, and capacity/infrastructure planning. This will be an on-going effort for the remainder of 2008, and progress reports will be provided at future CoC meetings.

If you are interested in this topic, I encourage you to attend this meeting and consider joining the Bike Parking committee.

Meet Your UPPSA Board: Vice President, Aleece Smith

-From Ohio, moved to Chicago in 2005 for a change in scenery

-Bachelor's degree in Marketing and International Business from the University of Toledo (Ohio) in 2004

-Enrolled in CUPPA Spring 2008

-Concentration: Physical Planning

-Day Job: Programs Assistant at Hub International (an insurance brokerage)

-Volunteerism: Various projects through Chicago Cares, most frequently at Lincoln Park Conservatory, Garfield Park Conservatory, and Vital Bridges Food Pantry

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

News: The Brickyard on Eight Forty-Eight, WBEZ

On any given day, somewhere between 15 and 150 drug addicts can be found haunting the dusty ground of a legit brick salvage company at Cicero Avenue. This is the community known as the Brickyard. Like other areas in the city of neighborhoods, The Brickyard has its own history, culture, economy; its own social structure and hierarchy. Today, sociologist Greg Scott shows the first of several portraits of this place, its residents, and the code by which they live. Learning to abide by that code is, for many, a matter of life and death. Click for More

Assistantship: Graduate Research @ IRRPP





Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy seeks one 50% Graduate Research Assistant or two 25% assistants to help with research and technical assistant projects with minority communities. Qualifications: Good organizational and writing skills, initiative, reliability and familiarity with quantitative and/or qualitative research, including knowledge of SPSS. Salary: monthly stipend plus tuition and service fee waiver. No tuition (college) differential or other fees are covered. Duration: Nine month school year. Familiarity with and interest in the major topics of focus of the Institute is most desirable. Please send resume with cover letter to mtayala [at] uic.edu. For further information about the Institute please visit our website at http://www.uic.edu/cuppa/irrpp/index.html

Events: Moving at the Speed of Congestion

August 5
10:00 am–11:30 am
Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Multi-Purpose Room, Lower Level, 400 S. State St., Chicago

Chicagoland traffic congestion is bad and getting worse. What most people don't realize is just how much this gridlock is costing them … and our region.

On Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008, the Metropolitan Planning Council will release a new, groundbreaking report, Moving at the Speed of Congestion, that identifies the actual cost of congestion in our region, and provides an analysis of its global, regional and individual effects. An expert panel will respond to a presentation of the report's findings. Click for Details

Monday, July 21, 2008

UPPSA on Facebook

Join the UPPSA Facebook group to connect with fellow UPPSA students and find out about upcoming UPPSA events. Stay connected with the community while away, click the link to join the Urban Planning and Policy Student Association facebook group today. Click for Details

Resources: CNT's Housing + Transportation Affordability Index

The Housing + Transportation Affordability Index, developed by CNT and its collaborative partners, the Center for Transit Oriented Development (CTOD), is an innovative tool that measures the true affordability of housing. Planners, lenders, and most consumers traditionally measure housing affordability as 30 percent or less of income. The Housing + Transportation Affordability Index, in contrast, takes into account not just the cost of housing, but also the intrinsic value of place, as quantified through transportation costs. Click for Details

Meet Your UPPSA Board: President, Angela Larsen

Angela Larsen, J.D., graduated with an emphasis in environmental and
land use law at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2007. She is
currently a first year graduate student pursuing a masters in urban
environmental planning at the College of Urban Planning and Public
Affiars (CUPPA). After moving to Chicago, Angela committed to serving
on the Citizens' Advisory Committee for CMAP - a regional planning
agency - as well as being president of the Urban Planning Student
Association. Angela's current responsibilities for the Office of sustainability at UIC include: 1) staffing the Chancellors Committee
on Sustainability and Energy and eight subcommittees working to
develop sustainable policies at UIC; 2) collecting and reporting data
for STARS - a reporting system similar to LEED. In her free time, she
enjoys working in her backyard garden and biking around Chicago. Angela grew up outside of Kansas City and loves to be with friends and family - especially when they go canoeing on the Buffalo.

UPPSA Board Meeting Tonight

UPPSA Board Meeting tonight in CUPPA 262 @ 5pm - 7pm.

For more information contact UPPSAinfo [at] gmail.com

Job Opportunity: Planner in the City of Carbondale, IL

Regular, full-time, professional urban planning position. Serves as City staff person for zoning, subdivision, site plan, and annexation cases. Prepares special studies such as population projections, transportation studies, historic preservation designations, downtown development, economic development and other topics related to developmental issues. Answers questions from the public concerning City’s development regulations. Issues zoning certificates and other development approvals. Works with members of the public in preparing generalized development plans for public and private projects. Click for Details

News: Vision of a Sustainable City

Public Radio International's Living on Earth reporter Cecilia Vaisman visited Curitiba in 1994, she learned how a city with a growing population and outdated infrastructure transformed into a sustainable and wonderfully livable city, with lots of green space, recycling programs, and an efficient rapid transit system. Click for Details

Friday, July 18, 2008

Planning Events for July 20th - 26th

Events for July 20th - 26th

Sunday July 20th
Monday July 21st
  • UPPSA Board Meeting @ 5 pm in CUPPA 262
Thursday July 24th
  • Public Health Forum on Harm Reduction Click for Details
  • Free Admission: Art Institute of Chicago 5-9pm
Friday July 25th
  • Free Admission: Art Institute of Chicago 5-9pm
Saturday July 26th



Thursday, July 17, 2008

News: Pagano Named Dean of Urban Planning and Public Affairs College @ UIC

Michael A. Pagano, professor of public administration at the University of Illinois at Chicago, has been appointed dean of the UIC College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs effective July 28, pending approval by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees.

Pagano, an expert on infrastructure and city finances, has served as interim dean since September. He replaces Robin Hambleton, who returned to the University of the West of England as professor of city leadership. Click for Details

News: Seattle to Remove Automated Toilets

After spending $5 million on its five automated public toilets, Seattle is calling it quits. In the end, the restrooms, installed in early 2004, had become so filthy, so overrun with drug abusers and prostitutes, that although use was free of charge, even some of the city’s most destitute people refused to step inside them. Click for Details

News: 'L' may stop in food aisle

The Chicago Transit Authority is hoping that some day you will pick up milk and bread or perhaps a six-pack of beer without ever stepping outside an "L" stop.

The CTA wants to investigate having some "L" trains stop inside supermarkets, or perhaps host mini-banks and restaurants on its property, as it seeks to more fully benefit commercially from its far-flung network of rail and bus routes. Click for Details

CMAP featured on Comcast "Political Update"

CMAP executive director Randy Blankenhorn was recently interviewed on Comcast's "Political Update" public affairs show. He talked about CMAP's vision for metropolitan Chicago, and the agency's innovative GO TO 2040 planning campaign to implement that regional vision.
Click for Details

Job Opportunity: Planner in the Village of Carpentersville

The Village of Carpentersville (pop. 34,664), located in eastern Kane County, is seeking a Planner to coordinate zoning activities and related code enforcement duties within the Department of Community Development. Click for Details

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

"Berwyn: Not Just Another Suburb" on WBEZ

WBEZ reporter Ken Davis investigates the redevelopment efforts of the Berwyn Development Corporation.
"The divisions between Morton High School district officials and some parents and students are putting west suburban Berwyn in the spotlight, even nationally. It's not the kind of attention any community would relish. Especially one like Berwyn, where city leaders are hiring marketers to spiff up the town's image and take it on the road."
Hit the link to listen to the story: More

Job Opportunity: Community Development Director in the Village of Algonquin

The Village of Algonquin (Population 31,500), a growing community in the far northwest suburbs of Chicago, has an immediate opening for a professional Community Development Director. This full-time Community Development position reports to the Village Manager and is responsible for continuing the revitalization of the village’s old town district, enhancing thriving commercial districts, promoting the Algonquin Corporate Campus, and maintaining beautiful tree lined residential subdivisions. Click for Details

Job Opportunity: Bay Area LISC Assistant Program Officer

The Bay Area Local Initiatives Support Corporation seeks an Assistant Program Officer (APO)to work with a dynamic team of professionals committed to revitalizing neighborhoods and supporting lower income families. The Assistant Program Officer will be part of LISC’s Green Connection team, which links owners and managers of affordable multi-family housing and other community facilities to an array of technical assistance aimed at improving energy efficiency and incorporating green building practices within their buildings. Click for Details

Fellowship Program: Next American City

Next American City is currently seeking candidates for our Urban Leaders Fellowship Program, a unique opportunity to write about the development of our nation’s cities. The 9-month, part-time fellowship comes with a $10,000 stipend. Click for Details

News: Portland Closes City Streets for Bikes

For six miles, for six hours, the Portland Department of Transportation closed down streets for an event called Portland Sunday Parkways.

"The circular route gave Portlanders a chance to get out and be active right in their own neighborhood. Participants walked, biked, rolled, ran, strolled, and roller bladed along the route to activities in the parks as well as to nearby shops and businesses in the vicinity."

Click for Details

Welcome to the Urban Planning and Policy Student Association (UPPSA) blog

Hello and welcome to the blog for the Urban Planning and Policy Student Association (UPPSA) of UIC. We hope to use this blog as one of many channels to keep you connected with UPPSA as well as with the universe of Planning.

Please click on our logo above to visit the main page and see the most recent updates. If you have comments or suggestions please feel free to contact us.

Please also visit our Facebook page, Twitter account, and LinkedIn group!

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

UPPSA Event Calendar

Have an event to add to our calendar? Send us an email.