A National Conversation on the Future of Our Communities

June 1, 2012
Join the Smart Growth Network in the first national conversation about how neighborhoods and regions could be planned, designed or developed to meet the needs of current and future generations.

Seeking new ideas in community planning, design and development.

Call for papers, blog posts, videos and photos!
What's your vision for the future of your community? Join the Smart Growth Network (SGN) in the first national conversation about how neighborhoods and regions could be planned, designed or developed to meet the needs of current and future generations. Your ideas will help the members of the SGN form strategies to help communities grow in ways that strengthen the economy, protect the environment, and improve the quality of life. Here’s how you can participate:

• Submit a short paper by June 30 about a community planning, design or development issue you believe communities will be facing in the next 15 years. Visit http://smartgrowth.org/nationalconversation for details.

• Submit blog posts, videos and photos describing your image of the ideal community, which will launch in late summer 2012. Submission details will be available by July 9 at http://smartgrowth.org/nationalconversation.

What kinds of topics is SGN interested in?
We’re open to all ideas on community design, planning and development. Here are just three examples:

• Immigrants? Millenials? Which new demographic groups will shape communities and how will we meet their needs? (New populations)
• How will communities engage and energize traditionally disadvantaged community members? (Social equity)
• How will communities finance smart growth? (Financing mechanisms)

What will happen to your contribution?
Select submissions will be posted on http://smartgrowth.org/nationalconversation and shared widely among smart growth organizations. Submissions may also be featured at the National Partners for Smart Growth Conference in Kansas City, MO, Feb. 7-9, 2013.

What is the Smart Growth Network?
The Smart Growth Network is a group of private, public and non-governmental partner organizations seeking to improve development practices in neighborhoods, communities and regions across the United States. Learn more at www.smartgrowth.org/network.php.