PSU Forums Spring Term 2008

Presented by Arnold Cogan, FAICP, Planner-in-Residence in the Nohad A. Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning

Three forums will be held in room 303 of the Urban Center from 10 to 11:30 am. Specific dates, topics and speakers are as follows:

April 4: How does sustainability complement the practice of planning?
Guest speakers: Tim Smith, Director of Urban Design and Planning for SERA Architects, and Bob Wise, Senior Manager at Cogan Owens Cogan, LLC, and Director of sustainability programs for Team Oregon, a multi-disciplinary consulting firm specializing in sustainability services overseas. They will explore how the principles of sustainability can be applied to the field of planning. To be discussed: the triple bottom line of sustainable development of economic opportunity, environmental quality and social equity and its potential for transforming traditional planning into a more effective discipline for the 21st Century.

April 25: Why infrastructure is an important element of regional planning.
Guest speakers: Robin McArthur, AICP, Metro Regional Planning Director, and Ted Kyle, Capacity Program Manager of Water Environment Services for Clackamas County. To be discussed: Advancing the state of the art of infrastructure planning from its current piecemeal approach to one that is more regionally based. While this applies to large, expensive facilities such as highways, water systems and sewer projects, it is also important for smaller facilities such as parks, schools, libraries and other public buildings. A possible model to consider is the current study underway at Metro.

May 30: Status of the Big Look.
Guest speaker: John Fregonese, President of Fregonese Associates. Mr. Fregonese is the manager of the consulting team working for the Big Look Task Force which is charged with identifying the most appropriate approach for land use planning in Oregon over the next several decades. He will describe the rationale and current status of his study, to be completed by the end of 2008.

All forums will be webcast live and archived for future viewing. Our expectation is that each event will stimulate spirited conversation, focus our expectations on the role of planning in the future and provide students, faculty and others with new insights.

For more information, please contact Arnold Cogan at: 503-225-0192 or at arnold.cogan@coganowens.com