Sustainable Urban Systems
July 30-August 1, 2019 – Talaris Conference Center in Seattle, WA.
Overview
Funded by the National Science Foundation, this by-invitation only workshop brought together a select group of 40 experts across an array of disciplines, sectors, and locations to:
- identify the key challenges megapolitan regions and their adjacent communities and natural spaces face as urbanization continues,
- explore the myriad approaches used in megapolitan regions to address these challenges, and
- synthesize this information to identify priority research areas that a research network could promote for improving urban systems sustainability.
Group perspective, knowledge, experience, connections, and collaborative and big-thinking mindset were the greatest asset to this convening.
This was a working conference – attendees not just attended, but rolled up their sleeves and focused on the most critical megapolitan challenges and opportunities. Together, with fellow attendees from academia, industry, government, and non-profits we hope to build new collaborative partnerships and outputs.
Featured Speakers
Day One:
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Dr. Brad Gaolach, WSU Metropolitan Center
Ben Bakkenta, Director for Regional Planning, Puget Sound Regional Council
Dr. Kelvin Frank, Eastern Washington University (Land Acknowledgment & Welcome)
Morning Keynote Presentations
- Dr. Marina Alberti, University of Washington, Urban Sustainability from an Eco-Evolutionary Perspective
- Gordon Feller, Meeting of the Minds: Next Generation Solutions: The role industry can play, and is already playing, to help regions and cities
- Kim Zentz, Urbanova: Urbanova – Re-thinking Urban Challenges for Mid-sized Cities
- Sudha Nanadagopal, Environmental Justice Advocate / Social Venture Partners International: Community Centered Solutions: Creating social cohesion and stronger communities
Day Two:
- Albuquerque, NM: John Barney, Parks and Recreation Planning Manager, Bernalillo County NM
- Boston, MA: Dr. Anne Short Gianotti, Associate Professor, Boston University
- Los Angeles, CA: Janet Hartin, Area Environmental Horticulture Advisor and County Co-Director, Cooperative Extension San Bernardino County
- Sacramento, CA: Dr. Gail Feenstra, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Director, University of California – Davis
Grant Team
- Metropolitan Center for Applied Research and Extension: Brad Gaolach, Julie Padowski, Anand Jayakaran, Patricia Townsend
- Reed College: Aaron Ramirez
- City of Eugene, OR: Scott Altenhoff
Planning Team
- Metropolitan Center for Applied Research and Extension: Brad Gaolach (Chair), Julie Padowski, Anand Jayakaran, Patricia Townsend (Co-Chair), Kevan Moffett, Martha Aitken, Maggie Anderson Fasy
- Reed College: Aaron Ramirez
- City of Eugene, OR: Scott Altenhoff
- Urbanova: Kim Zentz
- University of Washington: Thaisa Way
- The Nature Conservancy: Jessie Israel
Publications
The National Science Foundation
