2011 American Planning Association
Nevada State Conference
Sparks, Nevada
October 19-21, 2011

"A State of Shifting Paradigms"

CALL FOR SESSIONS

The 39th Annual Conference Committee is pleased to announce the 2011 American Planning Association (APA) Nevada State Conference – "A State of Shifting Paradigms" – to be held October 19-21, 2011 in Sparks, Nevada. The Conference Committee invites you to submit your session proposal(s) for the conference.

Conference Summary: Economic and demographic changes often times bring to light the need to rethink the practices that we employ to make our communities run effectively. In "good times", this may mean dealing with straining services and infrastructure, struggling to keep up with growth. In "difficult times", this may mean new challenges like maintaining minimum levels of service, envisioning how to capitalize on past infrastructure investments, or maybe even exploring how physical contraction may allow for greater health. These scenarios are all too familiar within recent history for Nevadans. At the cornerstone of our state are the plans that must evolve and mature to remain relevant to our communities needs.

Conference Mission: This conference seeks to examine how the State of Nevada can creatively seek new avenues to increase livability and quality of life in our communities. Focusing on changes within (1) the roles of private sector development and investment, (2) the roles of local, State and federal government, and (3) the role of transportation will provide a foundation for building a new vision for health of Nevada's communities.

CONFERENCE TRACKS:

The role of private investment...
This track will focus on the challenges and creativity needed within the private sector to maintain business health. Sessions will look into the changing market demands and the role that the public and institutions are playing in shaping this sector. Examples of session topics within the private investment track may include:
 How do developers foresee the future in housing demands?
 What is the future of commercial/industrial development and where is it located?
 What will be done with all the vacant commercial/retail space?
 How do we have economic development and/or create jobs without growth?
 How can green energy help Nevada and will it?
 How do we keep our young educated workforce here?
 How will private/public partnerships adjust and adapt to the changing economy?

The role of government...
This track will examine how governments can adopt policy that is able to adapt to changing demographics and the overall requirements of citizens. Sessions will look at ways that local and State governments can react to changes, as a result of a stagnant economy and decline in growth. Session topics within the role of government track are open to any and all proposals and may include the following:
 Is local/State government helping or hurting the efforts to bring green energy to Nevada?
 Are cities going to have to "shrink" to be sustainable?
 How should municipalities adjust their ordinances to adapt to shifting markets?
 How does government direct where growth occurs?
 What are local governments doing to address a changing demographic?
 What should local governments be doing to address a changing demographic?

The role of transportation...
This track, sponsored by the Northern Nevada Transportation Collaborative (NNTC), will build upon the 2010 Sustainability Summit topics and delve more into transportations role in private sector investments, as well as the policies being made at the local, State, and federal level that foster livability and economic prosperity for our state. Topics will be a melding of public and private sector interests, and will look at how the transportation sector will react to changing demographics and demands.

Call for Sessions: If you are interested presenting at the 2011 APA NV State Conference, please submit the following items to the Conference Committee:
 Executive summary of the session proposal.
 Speaker(s) biography and credentials.
 Names, e-mail addresses, mailing addresses and phone/fax numbers of all presenters and/or moderators.
 Any specific requirements needed for the session.

Session proposals shall be sent to the Conference Committee by e-mail at [email protected].

The deadline for submission is July 29, 2011.