PAST EVENTS

Our region's rapid growth and development patterns has too often led to the consumption of our natural and farm lands. Conservation development is an approach that allows for development while prioritizing the protection of natural resources, open space, and agricultural lands.

How can our region embrace our rivers to build great neighborhoods?

The retail sector has been undergoing drastic change. What does the future hold for retail in our region?

There is increasing demand for places that provide a mix of housing and entertainment options in a walkable, urban environment. A panel of developers and planners will discuss the challenges in creating these places and incorporating them into the built environment, as well as potential policy solutions.

Our region faces many health concerns and all too often how we develop and build our communities can negatively affect residents’ health. Cities in our region can be more intentional in how they develop, ensuring they are better supporting the health of their residents.

How can planners better engage with the public? How can residents better advocate for their neighborhoods?

How is technology being used to better plan, design, and operate transportation systems in the region? What are the trends in transportation technology? What are the innovative applications being used in other communities? Join in on the discussion with several of Tennessee’s top transportation experts ​​

Protecting and expanding your community’s open space and parks to keep up with increasing demands of surging regional population growth has become very hard to manage financially. There are urgent benefits and economic value for protecting the open space and parks that we need. Hear from a panel of experienced practitioners, planners, developers and non-profits about some important, non-traditional tools that are proving successful to sustaining and expanding open space and park land in our communities’ today.

Flooding events are happening more often and becoming more severe across our Middle Tennessee region. The region’s land use patterns and infrastructure affect how these events impact our communities. It is critical that communities ensure that their planning policies, programs, and infrastructure increase their resilience.

Safe streets are vital for our communities to be thriving places that offer all residents a high quality of life. What can we do to make our region safer?

COVID 19 has changed everything about the way retail, restaurants and entertainment venues operate. While for some it has been a death blow, others have been able to adapt and survive and even thrive. Explore how cities can help businesses during this trying time through better design and urban planning.

The pandemic has shown more than ever the need for complete cities, ones that are resilient, offering residents access to multiple housing and transportation options, green space, and employment opportunities.