About the Conference:

As North Carolina, and indeed the entire world emerges from two and a half years of COVID protocols and precautions, there is recognition that life on planet earth has changed. There is a shared focus and interest with regard to health, safety and well-being. Placemaking matters, and there is a desire to ensure that the places we design and build are welcoming and inclusive. Communities have been challenged to remain viable, safe and economically vibrant. There is an increasing concern for the health of our planet’s complex ecosystems. The pandemic has added further emphasis to the interconnectedness of nature and human health.

The Fall 2022 conference will examine Place, Community and Planet and offer ideas for how individuals, companies, local governments and other institutional partners can work together to address and resolve the challenges of today and tomorrow. We will begin with mobile workshops that are intended to showcase the diversity of work currently underway in South Raleigh, including NC State’s Centennial Campus, Dix Park, Shaw University and across Southeast Raleigh. Thursday evening, NC State Chancellor Randy Woodson will lead a discussion that focuses on community growth and development strategies that are being implemented across North Carolina. Friday session speakers will explore the theories and policies of climate change, transportation, and community development, with a focus on programs and projects that offer state-of-the-practice solutions. Also on Friday, Town Hall-inspired discussions will encourage audience participation and then the conference will conclude with a look ahead, focusing on ways that the design community is engaging with these issues.

Who should attend:

We embrace Design Thinking. Therefore, we encourage our traditional design partners and audience to engage and attend. We also want to invite a broader range of disciplines as well, including engineers, scientists, economists, real estate interests, travel and tourism specialists, community organizers, and specialists in transportation, affordable housing and gentrification to attend. We strongly encourage elected officials to attend. We will offer CEU’s to architects and landscape architects.

Conference Rate

The rate to attend the conference is $200. Those wishing to attend just the Conversation with Chancellor Woodson can do so for $35.

Thursday, September 15, 2022

12 PM to 4:30 PM – Mobile Workshops

South Raleigh Placemaking:

Mobile workshops will be led by industry professionals and public officials. The workshops will showcase five South Raleigh landscapes that are currently under various stages of design and development. These workshops will offer attendees the opportunity to explore first-hand Raleigh’s historic African American neighborhoods, two of North Carolina’s most significant urban parks, a proposed urban greenway connector and NC State University’s dynamic Centennial Campus. Conference participants will have the choice of participating in two guided workshops. Mobile workshops begin at Noon and conclude at 4:30 PM.

_{Please register to participate in two (2) tours.}

After a brief 12 PM orientation meeting at the Sheraton Hotel, the first mobile workshop begins at 12:30 PM and concludes at 2 PM. The second mobile workshop begins at 2:30 PM and concludes at 4 PM. All mobile workshops begin after a brief walk from the Sheraton Hotel (for those participating in the Centennial Campus workshops, transportation is provided). A description of the mobile workshops is provided below:

Mobile Workshop # 1: Centennial Campus (Alicia Knight, Jude Desnoyer and David Connor)

Centennial Campus is NC State University’s dynamic premier research park. The campus is a bustling hub of world-class research, education, and innovation. Participate in a unique tour of the campus and learn about the emerging Innovation Hub, future development plans for Centennial Campus and brief tours of the newest award-winning buildings.

Mobile Workshop # 2: Dix Park (Kate Pearce)

Dix Park is one of North Carolina’s most significant urban parks. Participate in a guided tour of the Park with project manager Kate Pearce. Learn about the newly proposed and innovative Gipson Plaza and Play landscape and the other design development plans are emerging at the Park.

Mobile Workshop # 3: Raleigh Strollway (Chuck Flink)

The Raleigh Strollway is envisioned as a non-motorized transportation and cultural greenway corridor connecting Chavis Park to Dix Park. Participate in a walking tour of two alternate routes that are under consideration for the Strollway and learn about the complex challenges and tremendous opportunities to link elements of downtown Raleigh together with this innovative concept.

Mobile Workshop # 4: Shaw University (Kevin Sullivan)

Shaw University is the oldest Historically Black University in the United States. Attendees will participate in a guided tour, led by the Vice President of Shaw University, to learn about the unique history of Shaw, the formation of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee and of Shaw’s plans to modernize its campus.         

Mobile Workshop # 5: Chavis Park (Shawsheen Baker and Eric Davis)

Attendees will participate in a guided tour of historic Chavis Park and learn from City officials and landscape architects about the unique cultural history of the park. The tour will include a review of the recently completed community center, renovated park, and a portion of Raleigh’s South Park Heritage Walk.

7:00 PM to 8:00 PM – Evening Program

A Conversation with Chancellor Woodson: Perspectives on Community Growth and Development

Chancellor Randy Woodson will host a conversation Thursday evening at the Sheraton. The Chancellor’s guests will discuss the current imperatives of community growth and development across North Carolina. Specifically, the challenges and opportunities to promote growth across the state, with a specific focus on Tier One counties and counties that are outside the Piedmont Crescent.  Dr. Woodson will describe the role that colleges and universities have in promoting and guiding quality growth in North Carolina.

Sig Hutchinson, Wake County Commissioner, will provide an opening welcome.

Guests:

• Gary Salamido, President and CEO, NC Chamber
• Patrick Woodie, President, NC Rural Center

Attendance is included with full conference registration, or single tickets are available for $35.00 for those not attending the entire conference.

Friday, September 16, 2022

• 7:30 AM On-site registration at the Sheraton Hotel
• 7:30 AM to 8:00 AM Continental Breakfast
• 8:00 to 8:15 AM Conference Welcome – Dean Mark Hoversten

8:15 AM to 10:15 AM – Climate Change Design Imperatives

A rapidly warming planet and resulting changes in climate are creating significant challenges for community growth and development across North Carolina. A panel of local, state and national experts will describe current federal and state policies and programs being used to guide community growth and development strategies. The NC State University Coastal Dynamics Lab will present state-of-the-practice and award-winning strategies that are being implemented in large and small North Carolina communities.

Panel of Speakers:

• Moderator: Gavin Smith, Professor of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning, NC State College of Design
• Samantha Medlock, Senior Counsel, U.S. House Select Committee on Climate Crisis
• Amanda Martin, Chief Resiliency Officer, North Carolina
• Andrew Fox, FASLA, Coastal Dynamics Design Lab, Co-Director

10:30 AM to 12:00 PM – Town Hall: Facilitated Interactive Sessions

Conference attendees will choose from one of three Town Hall sessions to participate in. The sessions will address three different community growth and development topics. Each session will be moderated by an industry leader. Panelists will come from local governments from across North Carolina, representing medium to small communities, rural counties, and real estate interests.

Session One: Growth Management: Does Collaboration Work? 

Interlocal + Transportation + Regionalism 

• Moderator: Paul Morris, FASLA, Chief Executive Director, MCP Foundation, Inc.
• Mical McFarland, Community and Economic Development Manager, Town of Rolesville
• Will Aycock, General Manager at Greenlight (Wilson), Community Broadband
• Chris Lukasina, AICP, GISP, Executive Director, Capital Area MPO

Session Two: Growth Management: Who Gets to Participate?

Social Responsibility + Equity + Land Use + Resiliency

• Moderator: Chuck Flink, FASLA, Director, Initiative for Community Growth, NC State
• Rodney Dickerson, Town Manager, Garner, NC
• Joe Moore, Town Manager, Zebulon, NC
• Catherine Crosby, Town Manager, Apex, NC

Session Three: Growth Management: Is Yes Always the Right Answer?

Economic Development + Growth for the Sake of Growth + Sustainability + Resiliency 

• Moderator: Justin Kearnan, AIA, Urban Environments Practice Leader, Senior Associate, LS3P
• Courtney Tanner, Planning Director, Town of Wake Forest, NC
• Jason Brown, Development Services Director, Town of Knightsdale, NC
• Coley Price, Assistant County Manager, Hartnett County

12:30 PM to 2:00 PM: Transportation Design Challenges and Imperatives

North Carolina communities are challenged to serve the diverse transportation needs of rapidly growing communities large and small. How can this be accomplished in an equitable and inclusive manner that simultaneously results in efficient, affordable and sustainable transportation alternatives? This panel will explore transportation choices at varying scales and provide examples of state-of-the-practice solutions.

Panel of Speakers:

• Moderator: Eric Lamb, PE, FITE, Transportation Lead, Catalyst Design
• Taiwo Jaiyeoba, City Manager, City of Greensboro
• Nicole Bennett, N!Equity Planning
• Tracy Corley, PhD, Director of Research and Partnerships, Conservation Law Foundation

2:15 PM to 3:15 PM – Design Imperatives: Future Opportunities and Challenges

What is the future of design development for North Carolina communities? Dean Mark Hoversten will discuss opportunities and strategies that will influence and impact community growth and development with Mr. Herman Bulls, Vice Chairman of Americas, Washington, DC, a thought leader who specializes in delivering comprehensive real estate solutions to federal, state and local governments, economic development & nonprofit organizations and higher education institutions.

Panel of Speakers:

• Mark Hoversten, FASLA, Dean, NC State College of Design
• Stan Wall, PE, Managing Partner, HR&A Advisors, Washington DC Office
• Mark Johnson, FASLA, President, Civitas

3:30 PM to 5 PM – Closing Business Social at the A.J. Fletcher Opera House

We heard you, and we know how important it is to reserve time to chat with colleagues, business associates and friends. The closing of this year’s conference will include a Business Social, a chance to spend time catching up and exchanging vital information.

The conference is approved for 10 CEU credits from NCBLA.
Earn 9 HSW/1 LU Credits from AIA for attending.

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Partner

Patrons

Contributors