Is the work of planners, developers, architects, and engineers the remedy to America’s health crisis? In the 19th century, city planning and public health officials worked together to tackle epidemics such as cholera and tuberculosis  by providing clean water access, greenspace, sanitation, ventilation, transportation, and natural light. Today, chronic diseases have replaced infectious ones as the predominant cause of death in America. It is time for planners and public health officials to join forces again.

On September 21, a Healthy Communities Summit, co-produced by Georgia Tech’s Student Planning Association, The Congress for the New Urbanism Atlanta Chapter, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Healthy Community Design Initiative, will take place in Atlanta to encourage city planning and public health officials to work together to help reduce obesity, chronic diseases, injury rates, poor mental health, and the adverse effects of climate change. The summit will equip professionals with strategies for applying healthier design approaches in their projects and everyday work.

The summit will kick off the evening of September 20th at Georgia Tech with a screening of the PBS documentary series Designing Healthy Communities, followed by a panel discussion with local interviewees that include professors from Georgia Tech’s College of Architecture.

THURSDAY: Kick-Off Evening – Special Screening of “Designing Healthy Communities”
September 20, 2012, 6-8PM (FREE. No Registration Required.)

Georgia Institute of Technology, Architecture Building, Reinsch-Pierce Auditorium

The PBS series, hosted by Dr. Richard Jackson, aims to “offer best practice models to improve our nation’s health by redesigning and restoring our built environment.” Episode 1: Retrofitting Suburbia which has a special focus on “Sprawlanta” will be screened. A panel discussion which will include local interviewees featured in the episode will immediately follow the screening. The panel will include:

• Dr. Sharunda Buchanan
• Ryan Gravel, AICP, LEED® AP
• Ellen Dunham-Jones, AIA
• Dr. Catherine Ross
• Brandi Jessemy Whitney, MPH, MCHES

To learn more about the list of speakers for Thursday and Friday, visit CNUAtlanta.org

The Thursday kick-off (FREE) is approved for 1 AICP CM, 1 AIA LU/HSW, and 1 CNU-A CE credits. Certificates will be provided to participants for self-reporting to other professional organizations. Attendees will get a special discount towards the purchase of the 4 DVD set of Designing Healthy Communities.

FRIDAY: Lectures/Workshop – Healthy Communities Summit
September 21, 2012, 8:30-4:30. (FEE. Must Register)

All Saints Episcopal Church, Ellis Hall, 634 West Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA (Map and Directions)

The day-long summit will bring design and health professionals and public officials together to discuss and learn about ways to build livable neighborhoods that support physical and mental health.

The Friday Summit is approved for 7 AICP CM, 7 AIA LU/HSW, and 7 CNU-A CE credits. Certificates will be provided to participants for self-reporting to other professional organizations.

REGISTRATION FEE
CNU Member* $ 75.00
Non-Member $ 95.00
Student (please be prepared to show Student ID at door) $ 35.00
*Registrants will have to option to become a CNU Member and receive the event discount during registration. Learn more about membership benefits.

PROGRAM

Registration / Breakfast (8-8:30am)

Introduction to Healthy Communities (8:30-9am)

Session 1 – CODE REFORM (9-10:30am)
Speakers: David Green, AIA, LEED® AP BD+C and Kathy Field

Break (10:30-10:45am)

Session 2 – HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENTS (10:45-12:15pm)
Speakers: Dr. Holly Avey and Dr. Candace Rutt

Lunch (box lunch provided) (12:15-1:30pm)

Session 3 – HEALTH DISTRICTS (1:30-3:30pm)
Includes hands-on planning exercise with Grady Memorial case study.
Speakers: Basak Alkan, AICP, LEED® AP BD+C, Jason Harper, AIA, LEED® AP and Joanna Lombard, AIA

Break (3:30-3:45pm)

Closing Keynote and Discussion (3:45-4:30pm)
Speaker: Laura Keyes, AICP