guest blogger: Valerie Berton

Throughout the country, suburban planners 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.

Be part of the solution! Join planners and smart growth experts by presenting at Makeover Montgomery: Innovative Strategies for Rethinking America’s Suburbs on April 14-16, 2011. Submit a proposal to present at the conference. (Deadline November 5)

Locating the conference in Silver Spring, with its rejuvenated, nationally recognized center, will focus attention on successful planning and policy tools and strategies.

Downtown Silver Spring

Consider a presentation that ties into one of our conference themes, including:
• Redesigning the suburbs
• Suburban building typologies
• Zoning for sustainable practices
• Financing tools
• Housing choice and affordability
• Transportation successes and challenges
• Sustainable infrastructure
• Alternative energy
• Public health and locally-grown food
• Green buildings and neighborhoods
• Real estate trends and sustainability
• Working with communities

Travel-related expenses will be covered for out-of-town speakers.