Bill Struever, founder and President of Struever Brothers Eccles & Rouse (SBER) has been transforming America’s cities for more than thirty years—the sustainable way, by discovering urban neighborhoods and historic buildings that hold enormous potential for change, and then renewing and reinvigorating them. Initial research involves the significant understanding and probing of a city, an in-depth exploration of the needs and desires of a neighborhood and a search for opportunities to better serve them. In all of its projects, SBER establishes a spirit of collaboration, working closely with local community groups and businesses, as well as local, state and federal governments. Its partnership efforts to embrace the community's priorities are an integral part of neighborhood transformation investments. Several SBER projects have won national and regional recognition for the quality of the architecture and design, including Tide Point, which won a National Design Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects for the public promenade along the Baltimore harbor. SBER has made a significant difference in the Triangle region through the development of the American Tobacco Historic District in partnership with Jim Goodmon and the Capital Broadcasting Company. In Winston-Salem, SBER will transform the R.J. Reynolds Historic Tobacco Warehouses into an urban live-work-play community. Participants will learn about SBER’s innovative approach to revitalizing urban neighborhoods, its sustainable practices and review case study projects. SBER offers a new way of looking at a neighborhood…one that sees not what it is, but what it can be.

Michael Pyatok, FAIA
Solving America's Housing Crisis: The Role of Design

This presentation will review of about 2 dozen award-winning case studies of recent work by Pyatok Architects, showing how higher density housing for lower income populations can be successfully inserted into existing neighborhoods. Discussion will include urban design and architectural strategies woven together in a community process that helps shape solutions deemed successful by neighbors, residents and professionals.

Mitchell Silver, AICP
Designing a 21st Century City: Proactive Planning and Partnerships

Raleigh is an emerging 21st century city that is expected to double in size over the next twenty years from 374,000 to 700,000. The Triangle Region is also expected to double in size from 1.2 to 2.5 million in twenty years. The City of Raleigh is taking a proactive approach to planning the future through its comprehensive plan update. What challenges does the city and region face as we grow? How does the region remain competitive in a growing global marketplace? How can the region establish partnerships to ensure the Triangle continues to grow and prosper? This session will discuss Raleigh’s transformation from a small 18th century capital city to an emerging 21st Century metropolitan city. The session will explore the partnerships and regional cooperation needed to thrive as model city for growth, sustainability, mobility, equity and prosperity.

William F. "Bill" Hunt, Ph.D, P.E.
Performance of Stormwater Best Management Practices in North Carolina

This presentation will cover how bioretention, stormwater wetlands, permeable pavement, and water harvesting systems work in North Carolina. It will feature an overview of each practice, discuss monitoring projects, and point out design implications associated with this research. Dr. Hunt will close the presentation by highlighting available resources from NC State University's Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department.

Sustainable Sites Initiative Presentation by Heather Venhaus, ASLA and Jose Alminana, ASLA
Sustainable Sites Initiative: Developing Sustainable Standards for Landscapes

Opportunities exist to design, develop and maintain the built environment so that it can better protect and enhance the services provided by healthy ecosystems, such as climate regulation, carbon sequestration, water and air purification, food and raw material production, waste decomposition, among others. The Sustainable Sites Initiative™ will provide a basis for measuring, recognizing and verifying sustainable design, construction and maintenance of these landscapes by creating appropriate performance targets for site-based resource stewardship. The U.S. Green Building Council is an active participant and anticipates incorporating the final Sustainable Sites standards and guidelines into the next iteration of LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Sustainable Sites is an interdisciplinary partnership of the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and the U.S. Botanic Garden in conjunction with a diverse group of stakeholder organizations. This presentation will offer an overview of Sustainable Sites Initiative - history and progress to date. Participants will be introduced to ecosystem services and the role of landscapes in sustainability. Presenters will also discuss the attributes of a Sustainable Site and review case studies highlighting sustainable practices in urban settings.

Panel of session speakers moderated by Paul F. Morris, FASLA