The Long View -- By embracing the city’s industrial past

METROPOLISMAG.COM - November 2008

The Long View
By embracing the city’s industrial past—reclaiming landfills, remediating brownfields, developing neglected waterfronts—James Corner has helped reinvent the field of landscape architecture.
By Andrew Blum

"As a 20-year-old intern in the London office of Richard Rogers, James Corner could barely contain his frustration. It was the early 1980s, and they were working on the first pieces of the transformation of the London docklands from derelict industrial port to stylish commercial district. But at that scale, on so complex a site, Corner saw only limitations. “All the architects knew how to do was put awnings on existing buildings,” he recalls. “All the landscape architects knew how to do was put trees everywhere. And all the traffic engineer knew how to do was to optimize getting cars in and out of the development.” Over pints at the pub, Rogers and his partners “would complain that they didn’t have the conceptual or imaginative tools or techniques to do the whole thing synthetically.” Corner, who grew up outside of Manchester, left soon afterward to study at the University of Pennsylvania—where he is now head of the landscape-architecture ­department—but he never let go of the lesson: “There is a desperate need for a different kind of professional who isn’t so Balkan­ized, who is capable of seeing a bigger picture and choreographing a bigger team.”

To Read More:

http://www.metropolismag.com/story/20081119/the-long-view

UIC SPH Global Health Interest Group

If you are interested in Public Health issues and would like to get involved with an on campus organization. Check out the UIC School of Public Health's Global Health online interest group. Participate in the conversation surrounding global health issues and get involved.

Click the link for more

UPPSA News: Transit Oriented Dining, Dues, and Leadership Opportunities

MUPPS,

Hello everyone, hope you all had a great holiday! Whether you are a
returning member or it is your first semester, now is the time to get
involved with UPPSA. See below on how to participate.

Here is how you can get involved:

1) Fill out an UPPSA Registration Form and pay your dues(CHECKS/MONEY ORDERS ONLY) by FEB 1.

Registration is good for 1 year. Drop off your registration form and your dues (CHECKS/MONEY ORDERS ONLY) at the reception desk (on the 2nd floor, you will see the sign). The deadline for submitting your registration forms and dues is FEB 1.


2) Sign up to take on a leadership role at the next UPPSA general assembly meeting (Jan 23 6-7).

In order to participate in these leadership opportunities you must be a registered UPPSA member. These events will allow you to take on a leadership role, interact with professionals in the planning field, and provide a boost to your resume. Some examples of leadership opportunities include (but are not limited to):

a) organize CMAP Community Conversations around the 2040 Regional Plan,
b) coordinate student participation with the Alumni Association regarding
Charrette scheduled in the Spring,
c) coordinate volunteers to participate in CMAP's FLIP (Future Leaders in
Planning) program (see attached),
d) coordinate with APA and UPP administrators to organize a mentorship mixer,
e) coordinate with APA and other professionals to organize a dinner and
panel presentation ($1000.00 budget),
f) organize a spring break trip and activities to Milwaukee,
g) design and create a marketing pamphlet for UPPSA,
h) coordinate and advocate for student participation with CMAP's Community
Design Workshops (see attachment)

3) Important dates:

a) Friday Jan 16, 6-9 - TOD (Transit Oriented Dinning) - Friday Jan 16 from 6-9 - Come meet, eat, and drink at the closest place for a beer and a burger to Cuppa Hall, Jak's Tap!

Jaks Tap is Chicago’s premier multi-tap restaurant and bar featuring forty (40) draught beers, great food, award winning ribs and friendly neighborhood atmosphere.

Located at 901 W. Jackson Blvd

b) Friday Jan 23, 6-7 - General Assembly Meeting. Location is the lounge in the basement of CUPPA. Pizza and beverages provided.

Hope to see you all at the next UPPSA event!

Best,

UPPSA Board

News: Burnham's gift; today's Chicago was born of the century-old plan that still has the magic to stir men's blood

Burnham's gift; today's Chicago was born of the century-old plan that still has the magic to stir men's blood

Source: Chicago Tribune

Stand in Grant Park near the Art Institute of Chicago and look up to the top of the Michigan Avenue building capped with a huge sign saying "Santa Fe." Just to the right of the "e" in Fe is a squat, unremarkable white structure that, in a way, is Chicago's most important building.

Click to read more...

News: Planning for Chicago's future requires Burnham-style vision--and a big pair of green-tinted glasses

Planning for Chicago's future requires Burnham-style vision--and a big pair of green-tinted glasses




Source: Chicago Tribune

This could be a smashing year for Chicago, but not only for the reasons -- including Barack Obama's inauguration -- that probably come to mind. Specifically, 2009 could make a historic mark because it will give the residents of Chicago and its vast metropolitan area a chance to start a civic conversation about how we live, how we grow and whether the mass suburban sprawl of the last few decades still makes sense in the era of declining fossil fuel supplies and global warming. There's a marvelous excuse to have this conversation. The region will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of one of the greatest city plans in history.

Click to read more

Transit-Oriented Development & the Region's Economy: Crisis and Opportunity

Transit-Oriented Development & the Region's Economy:
Crisis and Opportunity

Please join us!
Monday, January 12, 2009
9:00am to 2:00pm
ComEd Commercial Center
1919 Swift Dr.
Oak Brook, IL 60523



CMAP in partnership with IDC, RTA, APA, and ILCMA invite you to a seminar designed
to offer practical advice to planners, economic developers, and municipal managers
on transit-oriented development, with insights on the current state of our region's
economy.

The panel of experts will offer best practices on assessing and executing successful
transit-oriented developments. Another panel of economists will discuss obstacles
and opportunities for economic development in today's financial climate. The event,
co-hosted by Commonwealth Edison, will offer municipal managers, economic and
community development practitioners the opportunity for a lively discussion and
networking.

REGISTRATION
$50 includes lunch ($65 after January 7)
To register fill out the attached registration form, print it, and then fax to IDC
at (217) 241-4683 or phone at (217) 528-5230 x4 with any questions.

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