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Florida Atlantic University

CUES News
An update from the Anthony James Catanese Center for Urban & Environmental Solutions (CUES) at Florida Atlantic University
October 2004

Director Murley Discusses University Role in Sustainability with Prince Charles
CUES Director Jim Murley serves as a member of the Seaside Pienza Institute for Town Building and Land Stewardship. Their most recent meeting was held in England to meet with government, development and other officials involved in urban revitalization, traditional neighborhoods and regional cooperation. The group, hosted by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott at his official residence and office, the historic Admiralty House, discussed shared national perspectives on affordable housing, transportation and protection of the countryside. Institute members also visited the new TND community Poundbury in Bath and met privately with Prince Charles at his country estate, Highgrove. Prince Charles delivered a comprehensive overview of his foundation programs focusing on sustainable communities, community-supported agriculture and holding natural and built environmental resources in trust for the future. Director Murley was privileged to have a short personal conversation with Prince Charles on the importance of university involvement in building sustainable regions and communities. As a result of his participation, Director Murley will participate in ensuing discussions comparing new regional initiatives in England and the US. For more information on the Seaside Pienza Institute, see www.seaside-pienza.org.
 
Committee for a Sustainable Treasure Coast (CSTC) Refocuses Efforts on Hurricane Recovery

At the most recent CSTC meeting on October 7th, the Committee focused on improving post-hurricane safety in the region. Issues raised included special-needs residents whose residential facilities were unable to care for them during the post-storm power outages. Another important issue raised was the challenge of how to replace damaged mobile homes with safer housing for the region’s lower income residents. A follow-up meeting to determine the Committee’s next step is taking place on Thursday, October 28th. To learn more about the Committee and its activities, see www.sustainabletc.org.
 
Regional Resource Center Actively Supporting Regional Thinking and Action
The South Florida Regional Resource Center (SFRRC), an innovative partnership between CUES, the Collins Center for Public Policy, Inc., and the South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, has been busy with several regional initiatives. On October 21st, it held its second annual Leaders Dinner, bringing together leaders from business, government, cultural resources, education, social services, urban design, and environmental restoration to learn about effective regionalism in Chicago from Frank Beal and to provide input to guide the SFRRC and its future activities. Following this event, the SFRRC sponsored the Second Annual Regionalism Summit on October 22nd with the Tri-County Leadership Council. This well-received event featured Frank Beal, Executive Director of Chicago Metropolis 2020 and Stuart Rogel, President of the Tampa Bay Partnership. The keynote speaker was Lynda Keever, Publisher of Florida Trend magazine. For more information on the activities of the SFRRC, see www.sfrrc.net.
 
CUES Award Winners

Marie York, Bill Nemser, and Jaap Vos
Congratulations to Environmental Growth Management Fellow, Bill Nemser, for receiving the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association’s Student of the Year award. Bill serves as Chief of Staff for the Florida Atlantic Planning Society and is responsible for planning the Second Wednesday Lecture Series. Congratulations also go to CUES North staff Marie York and Mary Beth Hartman for receiving an Award of Merit also from the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association for the Florida Public Officials Design Institute at Abacoa program.
 
Regional Updates
Since the publication of Regional Shift: South Florida in Transition in May 2004, CUES has been tracking updated information on regional indicators and related information on its website, www.soflo.org. Topics include: new measures of highway congestion; developments in the housing market; new population, poverty, and education statistics; economic rankings; and tourism and seaport statistics. The latest update provides initial assessments of the damage Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne delivered to South Florida’s infrastructure and beaches.
 
Activities & Events

Florida Atlantic Planning Society (FAPS) Second Wednesday Lecture Series (new date)
On Wednesday, November 3 from 5:30 - 6:30 PM at the FAU Downtown Campus, room HEC 1110A-B, the Wednesday Lecture Series continues with Frank Brogan, President of Florida Atlantic University, who will address the issue of regionalism in South Florida as well as FAU’s role in bringing the Scripps Research Institute to South Florida. Because of the staggering amount of public money involved, the impact Scripps will have on existing land use policy and infrastructure, and many unanswered questions that exist, Scripps represents perhaps the largest and most important issue facing regional planning in South Florida today. Refreshments will be served and guests are welcome.
More information.

The Future of Growth Management in Florida
This joint luncheon between the Broward and Gold Coast sections of the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association (FAPA) will take place at noon on Friday, November 12th at Don Shula’s Hotel in Miami Lakes. Featured speakers include Val Hubbard, Director of the Division of Community Planning at the Florida Department of Community Affairs and FAPA President-Elect and Lester Abberger, FAPA’s Legislative Representative. The event costs $15 for members and $25 for non-members. To RSVP, contact Maria Batista if you are a Miami-Dade County participant at bpb@miamidade.gov or Renee Miller if you are a Broward County participant at rmmiller@broward.org.

4th Annual New Partners for Smart Growth: Building Safe, Healthy, and Livable Communities
This national, multidisciplinary event, taking place January 27-29, 2005 in Miami Beach, will build on the tremendous success of the first three annual “New Partners for Smart Growth” conferences held in San Diego, New Orleans, and Portland. There are many great reasons to attend this important and timely event. The program will feature cutting-edge smart growth issues, the latest research, implementation tools and strategies, successful case studies, interactive learning experiences, new partners, new projects, and new policies. This dynamic event also offers you the opportunity to network with your peers as well as practitioners who come from many different disciplines but have the same goal—building safe, healthy, and livable communities for all.
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