New Urbanism, Smart Growth, and Public Health Mobile Workshop
A Stapleton Urban Development Site
April 1, 2006
8:00am-12:30pm
$40.00
The trend of the 21st century is to design communities that are walkable and promote healthy living, are close to public transportation hubs so that residents will burn less fuel, pollute less and relax more on their way to work, and that incorporate mixed zoning so that schools and commercial enterprises such as offices, grocery stores and restaurants are within walking distance to homes. The input of public transportation, public health, urban planning, local and state government, health care providers, non-profit grassroots organizations, schools, and community members are equally important to the planning process. Citizens and experts engage in dialog to create neighborhoods where workplaces, shopping, recreation and places for civic participation meld into healthy living centers. Part of the impetus towards New Urbanism and Smart Growth, the catch phrases for these multidisciplinary approaches to community development, is the serious public health problem of obesity in America. To address this issue from a Public Health perspective, public health is linking with other professionals who advocate for New Urbanism and Smart Growth, in the development of Active Living Communities. Through the creation of new urban settings and the lifestyle changes that living in them will bring, we can address some of the most pressing social, environmental and health issues of our time: obesity and heart disease, air pollution, physical inactivity, community and civic participation, mental health, and more!
The redevelopment of the Stapleton Airport embodies the ideals of New Urbanism and Smart Growth. Smart Growth is defined as growth that is economically sound, environmentally friendly, and supportive of community livability - growth that enhances our quality of life. Stapleton has already become a regional and national model for Smart Growth in the 21st century. Due to the foresight of the planners, it is being built to facilitate walkability and zoned to foster alternative transportation, compact high density urban design, economic development, and cultural and educational opportunities. Planning began in 1989 when a group of civic and community leaders consulted Denver residents about their vision for the redevelopment of Stapleton. In 1995, the Stapleton Development plan, “The Green Book” was published and construction began.
This mobile workshop will take participants to tour the Stapleton Development community. The group will meet experts at several stopping points, exit the bus for tours and discussion of some of the most salient cutting-edge projects that are emerging at Stapleton: Transportation Management, Parks and Open Space Planning, Active Living by Design, the “Green Book” planning process, the creation of the Stapleton Foundation, Public Art and Sustainability. For more information visit the Stapleton website: http://www.StapletonDenver.com.
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Environment Mobile Workshop
Managing Colorado’s Most Popular State Park
April 3, 2006
8:00am-12:00
$40.00
Cherry Creek State Park is Colorado’s first and most popular state park. Recreation development at this urban oasis is centered around its key feature, the reservoir. The park is surrounded by two of Colorado’s largest cities, Denver and Aurora. Urbanization however has led to a reservoir that is approaching eutrophication (excessive algal growth) which will severely limit the parks intended uses. The arid environment also poses unique problems in trying to address water quality long term. The key to effectively addressing these natural resource issues is at a watershed scale through many partners operating at a variety of levels. Join us for a walking and driving tour of the park to see first hand how planning, partnerships and on the ground actions help balance the conflicts of the park’s mission with urban realities. Bob Toll, State Parks Operations Manager, and Bill Ruzzo from the Cherry Creek Basin Water Quality Authority will lead the workshop.
For more information on Cherry Creek State Park, visit: http//www.parks.state.co.us
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Healthcare Mobile Workshop
Fitzsimons: A Model for Military Base Closure
April 3, 2006
12:15pm-5:45pm
$40.00
Experience the transformation of the Fitzsimons Army Military Base to a 21st century health, education and research facility. This mobile workshop will allow attendees to learn about and appreciate the complexities involved in the development of this $6 billion project. The workshop will include an opening introductory session, tours of the facility and discussions with several of the key players involved in this redevelopment effort. Economic development partnerships, interactions with the Base Closure Commission, public/private partnerships, technology transfer, university consolidation, and the creation of a top-tier bioscience educational, research and clinical care facility will be addressed in this workshop. Dr. Jay Gershen, Executive Vice Chancellor of the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, will lead the workshop. For more information about the project, visit: http://www.uchsc.edu/fitzsimons/
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