Theme of spring conference focuses on the transformation of America’s suburbs
SILVER SPRING, MD – Following the success of the original Makeover Montgomery conference in 2011, the National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education, the Montgomery County Planning Department and the Urban Studies and Planning Program at the University of Maryland, are seeking presentation proposals from planners, designers, engineers, social scientists, ecologists and others for Makeover Montgomery II: The Continuing Transformation of America’s Suburbs.
All across the country, suburban planners and residents are grappling with how to handle pressures to adapt to demographic shifts, changing housing preferences, and growing infrastructure costs – all while making their communities more sustainable. Conference organizers are looking for presentations that focus on innovative planning and policy tools and strategies that continue to transform suburbs into exciting, attractive and sustainable communities. Multiple session tracks will allow for a diverse audience that includes practitioners, academics and interested community members.
The conference will be held May 8-10, 2014 in Silver Spring, Maryland, an inner-ring suburb of Washington, DC, which boasts a newly rejuvenated, nationally recognized center that serves as a model for future suburban revitalization efforts across the country.
If you would like to present your research and case studies to community planners and others at Makeover Montgomery II, download the application form and submit a proposal by 5:00 pm on Friday, January 10, 2014.
Consider a presentation focusing on the two primary conference themes:
The Role of Transportation in Evolving Suburbs
- Changing parking policies
- Multimodal “Complete Street” designs
- Implementation and use of Bus Rapid Transit and Light Rail systems
- Commuting cultures (including growing emphasis on biking)
- Taming suburban street design
- The interplay between land use and transportation
- Sidewalks and other pedestrian solutions
Creative Use of Public Assets
- Opportunity Mapping – where should affordable housing be located?
- Public/private partnerships used to provide civic buildings and amenities, such as schools, fire stations and parks
- Public/private partnerships used to provide affordable housing
- Public/private funds used to support watershed cleanup projects
- Development of transit sites
Assistance with travel-related expenses may be available for out-of-town speakers.
Learn more about Makeover Montgomery II https://www.montgomeryplanning.org/events/makeover2014/
About The Montgomery County Planning Department:
The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, aims to improve quality of life by conserving and enhancing the natural and built environment for current and future generations. The Planning Department creates great communities by developing master plans, reviewing applications for development and analyzing various types of information to help public officials plan for Montgomery County’s future. The Department is comprised of 140 staff members and provides recommendations, information, analysis and services to the Montgomery County Planning Board, the County Council, the County Executive, other government agencies and the general public. Visit www.montgomeryplanning.org
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