ICMA's second Leading Practices Conference on Smart Growth will feature case studies of local government's smart growth efforts. Plenary speakers include Rick Cole, city manager of Ventura, California, and one of Governing magazine's 2006 Public Officials of the Year.

ICMA University, with support from the Smart Growth Network and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), will present its second Leading Practices Conference on smart growth February 26-27, 2007, in Washington, DC.

The conference, “Smart Growth for Local Governments: Creating and Sustaining Livable Communities,” will feature three case studies of local governments that are implementing leading practices in smart growth. In addition to hearing from these communities at the “leading edge” of smart growth, participants will have an opportunity to share their own leading practices, and get feedback and advice from their peers and from national experts in smart growth.

Final Program

Monday, February 26

Tuesday, February 27

Session Descriptions and Speakers

Introductory Session

This is Smart Growth
Communities around the country are looking for ways to get the most out of new development and to maximize their investments. In many communities where development has improved daily life, the economy, and the environment, smart growth principles have been key to their success. This session will explore the principles of smart growth and illustrate how they have been applied in cities, suburbs, small towns, and rural areas across the United States.

• Geoffrey Anderson, director, Development, Community and Environment Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Case Study Sessions

(Participants will have the opportunity to attend all three sessions)

Winchester, Virginia: Smart Growth for Small Cities
Located at the northern entrance of the Shenandoah Valley, Winchester is a city with a rich heritage and plans for a promising future. Learn how this community of 25,000 is planning an ambitious “Green Circle” to connect pedestrians and bicycle users to destinations around the city. The presenters will also discuss how the Green Circle is related to other public and private investment projects. Important brownfields redevelopment projects will also be explored.

• Ed Daley, city manager, Winchester
• Jim Deskins, planning and development team leader, Winchester
• Perry Eisenach, public services team leader, Winchester

Arlington County, Virginia: A Community of Urban Villages
Arlington County, Virginia, has been recognized as a national model for smart growth. This session will explore both how Arlington has put forward a vision for the transformation of a suburban community into dynamic “urban villages,” and how the government’s day-to-day operations are aligned toward the implementation of that vision. In addition to the successes of the county with transit-oriented development and proactive neighborhood planning, other challenges will also be discussed, including the county’s attempts to ensure affordable housing for residents and a new emphasis on green building design and sustainability.

• Representatives from the County's Department of Planning and the Manager's Office

Sarasota County, Florida: Building a Culture of Sustainability
Sarasota County, Florida, is a fast-growing community that has put together an innovative approach to measuring the impact of its development on the land and natural systems of ecologically sensitive Southwest Florida. This session will explore how the county’s approach to measuring performance, long-range comprehensive planning, and commitment to partnerships with local institutions combine to create a commitment to sustainability and smart growth.

• Representatives from the County's Department of Planning and the Manager's Office

Participant Presentations

These sessions will be an opportunity for select participants to share what their communities are doing to advance smart growth. The sessions will highlight either a smart growth practice, such as creating walkable neighborhoods or increasing transportation options, or a management practice that is helping to advance smart growth, such as strategic planning or community engagement. In addition to sharing their best practices, participants will also benefit by getting feedback and advice on their practices from their peers and from national experts on smart growth.

If you believe your community has an interesting story to share, send a brief explanation by e-mail to Meghan Sharp at msharp@icma.org. Participants must be registered to attend the conference in order to be selected to make a presentation.

Bus/Walking Tour of Arlington County TOD

Arlington County, Virginia's comprehensive approach to transportation ensures that its residents, whatever their age, ability, or preference, have many options for getting around. This tour will take an up-close look at the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor, a three mile-long stretch of transit-oriented development that features access to the underground subway system, pedestrian-friendly streets, links to county-wide bus service, and car-sharing options. In 2002, Arlington County won a National Award for Smart Growth Achivement from the US EPA. For more information, visit http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/arlington.htm. There is no additional fee for the tour.

For more information about the program, contact Meghan Sharp at ICMA, 202/962-3532 or msharp@icma.org.

Voluntary Credentialing Program

The conference will address the following Management Practices for ICMA members continuing their professional development through the Voluntary Credentialing Program: Policy Facilitation (including Facilitative Leadership and Mediation/Negotiation); Initiative, Risk Taking, Vision, Creativity, and Innovation (a component of Strategic Leadership); Democratic Advocacy and Citizen Participation; and, Strategic Planning. Learn more about the Voluntary Credentialing Program.

Registration

Conference Fees:

• $195 Individual
• $150 Team participant—a team is three or more people from the same jurisdiction
• $95 Student

Click here to download the registration form.

Submit completed forms with credit card payment by fax to 202/962-3678, Attn: Anne Peyton. Or submit by mail to Leading Practices in Smart Growth, c/o ICMA, P.O. Box 79403, Baltimore, MD 21279-0403. Sorry, no telephone registrations.

Location

The conference will be held in the training center at ICMA, 777 N. Capitol St., NE, Washington, DC 20002.

ICMA is located two blocks from Union Station. Participants are encouraged to take advantage of public transportation while in the metro Washington, DC, area. For more information, visit www.wmata.org.