Growing Green Communities: Developing an Eco-City Action Plan and Local Sustainability Policies

General Information

Green is once again in vogue. Climate change, alternative fuels, green roofs, and energy efficient buildings are now pervasive in the media. While the challenges are global, many of the solutions are local. Many communities are struggling with how to integrate these diverse green strategies into a workable plan of action.

This course will examine the latest model programs and policies from a variety of U.S. cities as they move towards their quest of eco-sustainability. It will also highlight innovative strategies for building coalitions and engaging residents in an honest dialogue about sustainability. Several local sustainability managers and staff from within the DC Metro region will share their insights and discuss the special challenges they overcame in designing and implementing green programs.

Using a series of mini case studies and program summaries, we will closely examine the legal and policy challenges of adopting and implementing green policies and how policymakers and community groups can transfer these innovative ideas back home. We will also explore the latest thinking on what eco-sustainability really means.

Who Should Attend?

• Local and state planners
• City managers
• Environmental advocates
• Civil engineers

Instructor BioS

Shelley S. Mastran is a Professor in Practice in Urban Affairs & Planning and the Natural Resources Program at Virginia Tech in Alexandria. She has worked on numerous community planning projects involving visioning, heritage areas, and scenic byways. Dr. Mastran has a B.A. in English from Vassar College and a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Maryland. She is co-author with Samuel N. Stokes and A. Elizabeth Watson of the second edition of Saving America’s Countryside and with Ed McMahon has coauthored the series Better Models for Development.

Kathryn S. McCarty is a facilitator, mediator, and organizational development consultant, as well as an adjunct professor in Urban Affairs & Planning at Virginia Tech.  As Co-Director of the Eco-City studio project, she helped guide an effective collaboration among citizens serving on the Environmental Policy Commission, Alexandria city staff, and other community leaders to produce a 20-year action plan for mobilizing city government, residents and business leaders to reduce their carbon footprint. Through her current work with Arlington County's Department of Environmental Services, she helps local officials achieve their vision of smart growth and civic-oriented community planning.  Ms. McCarty is credentialed as a Mediator Mentor by the Supreme Court of Virginia; a Certified Professional Facilitator; a Certified Charrette Planner; and a Public Involvement Specialist.  She holds a Masters degree in Public and Urban Affairs from the University of Washington and an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Denison University.

Joseph Schilling leads the Metropolitan Institute’s Green Regions Initiative, which investigates innovative ways of creating eco-sustainable communities through better design, planning, and collaboration (http://www.mi.vt.edu). His research facilitates the transfer of innovative policy reforms through case studies, peer exchanges, and policy charrettes covering diverse topics such as smart growth, active living, vacant property reclamation, sustainability, and shrinking cities. Professor Schilling was Co-Director of the Eco-City studio project, which developed an Eco-City Charter and Sustainability Action Plan for the Institute’s home city of Alexandria, Virginia (http://ecocity.ncr.vt.edu).  Professor Schilling holds a Masters of Environmental Law (LL.M.) from George Washington University (GWU) and a J.D. from Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco.

PRACTITIONER PRESENTER BIOS

Aimee L. Vosper, R.L.A., a licensed landscape architect for more than 24 years, develops and manages the division of the Northern Virginia Regional Commission responsible for regionally-significant planning, environmental and related issues.  Ms. Vosper’s responsibilities include development of energy initiatives, coordination and leadership in the Four Mile Run Stream Master Plan implementation, oversight of regional environmental watershed activities and coordination of regional and national trail initiatives.  Prior to joining NVRC, Ms.Vosper was a Division Chief for Park Planning and Development in the City of Alexandria.

Joan Becker Kelsch is the environmental manager coordinating Arlington County's green building programs for private development, including site plan review for LEED compliance and the green building density incentive program.  She also co-leads Arlington's climate action program -- Arlington Initiative to Reduce Emissions (AIRE).  In 2008, Ms. Kelsch received two awards for her sustainability efforts – Washingtonian magazine’s Green Award and the Washington Academy of Environmental Sciences Award.

William Skrabak, P.E. is the Director of the Office of Environmental Quality in the City of Alexandria and has led the Eco-City Alexandria initiative for the city over the past three years.  With the planning phase finished, Mr. Skrabak will direct implementation of the environmental action plan.  Mr. Skrabak, trained as a chemical engineer, has worked in the field of environmental health for the Alexandria Health Department and the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services for more than a decade.

William Hicks, P.E. was named the City of Fall Church’s Engineering and Construction Division Director in 2008. As Director, Hicks oversees engineering services; building permit processing; storm and watershed management; and environmental program planning and administration, including recycling. As City Engineer, he also manages City capital improvements and construction projects. Prior to joining the City, Mr. Hicks served for five years as Senior Water Resources Engineer at the Northern Virginia Regional Commission.

Registration

Please note: Registration for this course is now closed.

The registration fee of $525 includes two full days of instruction and continental breakfast and coffee both days. Participants will also receive a CD containing professional literature related to local sustainability issues, sample policy documents and lecture notes.

Sign up by October 30th get this early-bird rate!! After October 30th, the rate increases to $575.

Accreditation

The Planning Academy (through the School of Public and International Affairs) is a certified AICP provider and this course will be submitted 12 CM credits, including 1.5 law units. All registrants will also receive 1.4 Virginia Tech Continuing Education credits.

Course Location

This course will be offered at Virginia Tech’s Alexandria Center, located at 1021 Prince Street in Old Town Alexandria. For directions and hotel information, please visit the Location & Lodging section on our Planning Academy site.