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Upcoming Lecture on Raleigh’s Future

By chris on January 23, 2007

The Raleigh Department of City Planning will be holding the 2nd in a series of lectures around the theme "Designing a 21st Century City" on February 8th.  The free event will this time focus on "Urban Trends and the Urban Age: How Do We Design a 21st Century City?"

The presenter of this lecture will be Bruce Katz, Vice President at the Brookings Institution.  Much of his work has apparently been focused on the competitiveness of metropolitan areas.  His publications and presentations can be accessed here.

The lecture is free and will be held from 6 – 8:30pm on February 8th at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts.  Information on the entire series can be found here (PDF).

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Posted in | 16 Responses

  • Tony

    Is it unreasonably jaded of me to instantly think “oh boy, more talk and planning that will again lead to no actual change?”

  • Tony

    Is it unreasonably jaded of me to instantly think “oh boy, more talk and planning that will again lead to no actual change?”

  • http://www.thedailyrebellion.blogspot.com/ Nick

    No, but that wont stop me from going. perhaps i’ll be able to eb that jaded in person :)
    or constructive!

  • http://www.thedailyrebellion.blogspot.com Nick

    No, but that wont stop me from going. perhaps i’ll be able to eb that jaded in person :)
    or constructive!

  • Betsy

    Actually, this lecture series is put on by Raleigh’s Urban Design Center, which under the leadership of Dan Douglas has already *radically* changed the way we do business in downtown Raleigh — namely, by setting better priorities for downtown, and by clearing the path for review and approval of downtown development.
    The Urban Design Center has been extremely valuable in streamlining the permit review process to get the redtape out of the way so that great things can happen downtown.
    Not only that, but the “small area plans” led by the Urban Design Center have re-aligned our priorities for downtown — towards better urban design and more vibrant streetscapes, walkability, round-the-clock activity, and linkages between destinations.
    All of the new projects and rehabs of older buildings downtown have *directly* benefited from the good work of the planning professionals at the Urban Design Center.
    The lecture series is icing on the cake. But it’s important icing, as these appearances by great urbanists will help us conceive of our city at a much higher level than we have been used to doing.
    (Thanks, Dan Douglas and all your great staff!!)
    Betsy

  • Betsy

    Actually, this lecture series is put on by Raleigh’s Urban Design Center, which under the leadership of Dan Douglas has already *radically* changed the way we do business in downtown Raleigh — namely, by setting better priorities for downtown, and by clearing the path for review and approval of downtown development.
    The Urban Design Center has been extremely valuable in streamlining the permit review process to get the redtape out of the way so that great things can happen downtown.
    Not only that, but the “small area plans” led by the Urban Design Center have re-aligned our priorities for downtown — towards better urban design and more vibrant streetscapes, walkability, round-the-clock activity, and linkages between destinations.
    All of the new projects and rehabs of older buildings downtown have *directly* benefited from the good work of the planning professionals at the Urban Design Center.
    The lecture series is icing on the cake. But it’s important icing, as these appearances by great urbanists will help us conceive of our city at a much higher level than we have been used to doing.
    (Thanks, Dan Douglas and all your great staff!!)
    Betsy

  • http://profile.typekey.com/captainx/ Bryant

    Sounds like a great program, and a great way to get interested parties (like those that frequent this site) involved in the process – or at least to give them some insight into what is going on in planning our city.
    Thanks for the notes about that process, Betsy. It’s great to hear about people with big, positive plans and ideas for continuing to make our city a better place. It can be easy to be jaded, but despite my own problems with some decisions that have been made (Soleil Center, I-540, etc.), I think there is a lot of positive energy and momentum in Raleigh right now. I hope to be able to attend the lecture.

  • http://profile.typekey.com/captainx/ Bryant

    Sounds like a great program, and a great way to get interested parties (like those that frequent this site) involved in the process – or at least to give them some insight into what is going on in planning our city.
    Thanks for the notes about that process, Betsy. It’s great to hear about people with big, positive plans and ideas for continuing to make our city a better place. It can be easy to be jaded, but despite my own problems with some decisions that have been made (Soleil Center, I-540, etc.), I think there is a lot of positive energy and momentum in Raleigh right now. I hope to be able to attend the lecture.

  • allison

    Thanks for posting this. I probably would have never heard of it otherwise. I haven’t been to the new arts center yet, does anyone have any suggestions on parking?

  • allison

    Thanks for posting this. I probably would have never heard of it otherwise. I haven’t been to the new arts center yet, does anyone have any suggestions on parking?

  • Betsy

    It’s not new, it’s old (Memorial Auditorium, circa 1932).
    But you can probably find directions and parking information at http://www.progressenergycenter.com/ .

  • Betsy

    It’s not new, it’s old (Memorial Auditorium, circa 1932).
    But you can probably find directions and parking information at http://www.progressenergycenter.com/ .

  • Betsy

    It’s not new, it’s old (Memorial Auditorium, circa 1932).
    But you can probably find directions and parking information at http://www.progressenergycenter.com/ .

  • Betsy

    It’s not new, it’s old (Memorial Auditorium, circa 1932).
    But you can probably find directions and parking information at http://www.progressenergycenter.com/ .

  • http://profile.typekey.com/captainx/ Bryant

    I almost forgot this was tonight until my neighbor reminded me. I hope I can slip out of work a bit early so I can make it to the lecture in time. It sounds pretty interesting.

  • http://profile.typekey.com/captainx/ Bryant

    I almost forgot this was tonight until my neighbor reminded me. I hope I can slip out of work a bit early so I can make it to the lecture in time. It sounds pretty interesting.