A series of monthly meetings with focused discussions and guest speakers that provide opportunities to learn more about specific issues concerning the creation of complete communities near transit in urbanized areas. These events are free and open to the public. For more information, please contact JoAnna Bullock at JoAnnaB@abag.ca.gov or 510-464-7968.

Upcoming Events:

"Building Better Communities - SB375: New Challenges & Opportunities" Thursday, January 14, 2010 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. David Brower Center 2150 Allston Way Berkeley Guest Speaker: Carl Anthony Founder, Breakthrough Communities Better communities complete with adequate housing, jobs, and transportation options are a product of good planning. Yet planning in a robust economy is difficult at best. While the current economic downturn has generated widespread hardship, it also provides a rare opportunity to secure a brighter tomorrow by developing a comprehensive regional plan. This plan can address environmental concerns; marginalized populations; and the many economic, educational, and health woes facing of our communities. Join us for a thought provoking dialogue and presentation by our special guest speaker, environmental and social justice leader Carl Anthony. He will examine the opportunities and challenges of building better communities. Carl Anthony, founder of Breakthrough Comunities, has served as Acting Director of the Community and Resource Development Unit at the Ford Foundation, responsible for the Foundation's world wide programs in the fields of Environment and Development, and Community Development. Please RSVP to JoAnna Bullock at JoAnnaB@abag.ca.gov or 510-464-7968.

Putting Schools on the Map: How Strong Communities Build Strong Schools & Strong Schools Build Strong Communities Tuesday, January 26, 2010 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Silicon Valley Community Foundation 2440 West El Camino Real, Suite 300 Mountain View, CA Please join ABAG and the Center for Cities & Schools to share an initial framework highlighting the interconnections between planning and education. In addition to providing proven policies and practices, we hope to uncover top priorities, questions, and demonstrated success in the South Bay regarding complete commuties, education and city-school collaboration. An overview of topics will include: Questions of new housing's impact on schools Transportation connections New school development Community schools Joint use of school facilities Opportunities for student learning through civic engagement Please RSVP to Marisa Cravens at marisac@abag.ca.gov or 510 464-7926

Conference Archives:

• October 2009: "MTC's Transportation for Livable Communities (TLC) Program" Doug Johnson, Senior Planner and Therese Trivedi, Transportation Planner, MTC
• July 2009: "Health in Urban Areas" Dr. Richard Jackson, Chair & Professor, Environmental Health Services Department, UCLA
• June 2009: "Development With Diversity"
• May 2009: "Indirect Source Review Rule" Dave Vintze, Air Quality planning Manager, Bay Area Air Quality Management District
• April 2009: "Putting Schools on the Map: Links between Planning and Public Education"Jeff Vincent, Deputy Director and Ariel Bierbaum, Program Director, Institute of Urban and Regional Development, UC Berkeley.
• February 2009: "Incorporating Child Care in Our Communities," Kristen Anderson, Redwood City Child Care Coordinator and Ellen Dektar, LINCC Coordinator, Alameda County Child Care Planning Council
• June 2008: "Urban Landscapes," Walter Hood
• May 2008: "A Conversation with PDA Jurisdictions: Developing a Regional Capital Incentives Program," Ted Droettboom, Regional Planning Program Director for the Joint Policy Committee
• April 2008: "Development Without Displacement: What Can We Do?," Victor Rubin, Vice President for Research at PolicyLink
• February 2008: "Sustainable Development: The 21st Century Model," Curt Johansen, Executive Vice President, Triad Communities, L.P.
• January 2008: "Innovative Parking Strategies," Dan Zack, Downtown Development Coordinator, City of Redwood City
• December 2007: "Designing Mixed-Income Communities: Keeping Units Affordable, Dealing with Density," Michael Pyatok
• November 2007: "Building the Sustainability Talk: Transforming Policies Into Real Projects," William Fleissig, Communitas Development Inc.
• October 2007: "Urban Density: Getting the Public Onboard," Gordon Price