July 2008 Conference Briefing Book

Providing a range of safe, attractive, viable alternatives to single-occupancy vehicle use is critical to the health of any city. These panels will focus on biking, walking, car-sharing and a discussion of funding transportation choices. These modes of transportation bring economic, environmental and public health benefits. A vast array of city policies to promote transportation choices exists – we’ll discuss key strategies and themes that your city should consider.

In order to create and maintain mixed income neighborhoods, cities must find a way to both bring in higher income or market rate tenants and homeowners and to retain low income residents by creating and/or preserving housing options that are affordable in the long term. Cities must also find ways to make it possible for current residents to be full members of the “new” neighborhood. This may be done by focusing on housing stock, individuals and families, local businesses, or all of the above. We’ll talk about the tools available to craft a strategy for your city.

City-based food production takes many forms, from rooftop gardens to community garden plots to urban farms to re-greened vacant lots to microenterprises to farmer’s markets. It may be community based, non-profit, or private sector. It is often integrated with other efforts; including community building, job training, youth involvement, treatment for mental illness, beautification and the like. The many benefits range from economic (reducing food budgets, providing job training or economic opportunity) to public health (increasing exercise and nutrition) to environmental (air and water quality, soil remediation, and greenhouse gas reduction) to community (building neighborhood connections and improving communication and safety). We’ll discuss a variety of ways that cities can support urban agriculture projects.