[Partnerships] planners network conference in Holyoke

[Paul Hyry]

Thought this would be interested to ABE community planning folks (sorry for late notice--I haven't known about it for much longer than you!)

The Planners' Network, which is (apparently) a national group of progressive planners from various disciplines, is holding a pretty major national conference in Holyoke from June 13 through 16.  More information is below, and the conference website is at the end of this message.

Paul Hyry

Conference Announcement -- 
The Planners Network Conference 2002 invites you to Holyoke, MA to contribute to the visioning of new possibilities for one of the nations oldest, planned industrial cities. A prototypical New England factory town, its grid of man-made canals powered rows of paper and textile mills that fueled a robust 19th and 20th century Northeast economy. Now the city faces the effects of globalization, de-industrialization, budget cuts, and the challenges of working across different political and cultural identities. At the same time, Holyoke is also experiencing innovative collaborations between neighborhood organizations, businesses, youth, elders, teachers, artists, social service agencies, politicians and neighboring colleges. It is here that we need your critical thinking and creative visions. The conference will be used as a catalyst for change, bringing together citizens, educators, activists, organizers and students with diverse perspectives to share in highly interactive dialogues, community-based tours, working sessions and case studies. Additional themes to be addressed include: overcoming obstacles in organizing, addressing racism, rebuilding urban neighborhoods, utilizing the arts as a creative form of economic development, and engaging youth and adults in participatory planning processes. 
Highlight will include:

. Visits to some of Holyoke's most innovative community building projects to explore the challenges of effective community organizing/planning and share ideas for overcoming obstacles.

. Open Square, located in the Holyoke's Historic Canal District, is a 19th Century mill complex being transformed into a 21st Century urban center. A City within a city.

. A special performance of "BETWEEN THE CANALS: The Evolution of a Mill Town" by Enchanted Circle Theater

. Salsa Band/Party Saturday Night


Major Conference Tracks/Themes:
Innovative Approaches to Economic Development 
Affordable Housing Models 
Participatory Planning and Development 
Community/University Development Partnerships
Role of the Arts in Urban Revitalization 
Environmental Justice and Urban Agriculture
Planning for Healthy Communities 
Urban School Reform 
Community Mapping 
Youth as Agents of Change
Undoing Racism
Community Organizing
Voter Representation
Documentation and Historic Preservation
Beyond enterprise zones: Strategies for funding

Hosted by:
Hampshire College
Open Square
Nueva Esperanza Inc.
El Arco Iris Youth and Community Arts Center
Nuestras Raices
City of Holyoke
Five Colleges Inc.
Fannie Mae Foundation
MA Campus Compact
More TBA.

Conference Location- 
Holyoke, Massachusetts and Hampshire College campus

Housing:
Provided in Hampshire College resident halls
Single occupancy, linens provided -- $35/night 

Registration Fees **                       Before May 1st || After May 1st 
General                                           $170                   $200 
Students                                         $ 80                    $100
Community residents/Low Income     $ 30                    $ 50 

** Limited free admission for Holyoke Residents/Organizers


http://www.hampshire.edu/plannersnetwork/

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