CIVIC CAMP 2.0 – October 24th

One week to go and there are still spaces available for CivicCamp 2.0, Saturday, October 24, 2009 from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM at the Jack Singer Concert Hall, EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts. This daylong event will recap our accomplishments of the last six months and will focus on how we can continue to make positive change and build a citizen movement in Calgary. It’s all about translating ideas into action. For details about CivicCamp 2.0 and to register online go to http://civiccamp2.eventbrite.com/

A few more volunteers to help with morning registration and feeding the masses at lunchtime would be much appreciated. Reply to this email if you’re willing to pitch in with a couple of small chores.

Ditto for experienced facilitators who would like to help with breakout groups on the 24th: reply to this email if you can help in this way.

Building a city that works for us all…join us October 24th!

Sincerely,
The CivicCamp 2.0 Team

For more info check: http://www.civiccamp.net/blog/

Drake Landing Tour UPDATE!

If you intend on attending this event, you MUST READ the following.

Members of the Urban Calgary Students Association, predominantly University of Calgary students, tour the Energy Centre at Drake Landing’s solar community in the Fall of 2008. The students were interested in seeing how solar energy technology is being used to provide heat to homes in Okotoks. photo by Tamara Neely

Those of you that paid from a Platinum Membership ($10.00) have first pick at a spot on the Drake Landing Community Tour this Wednesday, 30th. The itinerary for the day has changed slightly, but we will still be leaving and arriving at the same time:

2:30 – Meet in the Education Building Lobby beside the Craigie Hall Bus Loop

3:00 – Leave for Okotoks

3:45-4:00 –  Arrive in Okotoks at the Drake Landing Energy Centre

4:00-4:30  -  Tour remainder of Drake Landing Community and Solar Community

4:30-5:00 – Tour Recycling Centre

5:00-5:30 – Tour Elements Show Homes

5:30  - Depart for Calgary

6:30  - Arrive in Calgary

7:00    After-mixer at the Kilkenny

Due to an increased interest in this event, we will need confirmation from all of you who have paid, and who intend on coming. Please send a quick email to Heather at heather.oliver@urbancsa.org stating whether or not you will make it. If Heather does not hear from you before Tuesday night, your spot may be given to another student.

If you have not paid but are interested in attending, you may also contact Heather to put your name on the wait list.

Please see the attached table to see your status on the Drake Landing Tour.

Brandon Arthur    Confirmed- is attending
Jeff Baker    Unconfirmed
Toby Bennett    Unconfirmed
Samuel Boisvert    Confirmed- is attending
Michaela Bojes    Unconfirmed
Riley Braun    Unconfirmed
Trent Charles    Unconfirmed
Layne French    Confirmed-is attending
Fiona Hamilton    Confirmed- is attending
Sarah Hogstead    Unconfirmed
Stephanie Hong    Confirmed- Not attending
Jessica Janze    Unconfirmed
Kyla Jewett    Unconfirmed
Angela Keaton    Confirmed- Not attending
Leah Kyllo    Unconfirmed
Homyang Lee    Unconfirmed
Magnus Keith    Unconfirmed
Nathon McCarroll    Unconfirmed
Michael Meyer    Confirmed- is attending
Jack Moddle    Unconfirmed
Colton Nickel    Unconfirmed
Adam Nordquist    Unconfirmed
Steve Peterson    Confirmed- is attending
Connor Stevens    Unconfirmed
Brad Stone    Unconfirmed
Sarah Sy    Confirmed – Is attending
Michael  Wald    Unconfirmed
Amy Soepoto    Unconfirmed

DIRTT Calgary Invites UrbanCSA

To our mounting  surprise, Calgary has been graced with a modest Architectural  firm that will make you wonder what became of that poorly assembled IKEA corner desk you threw away last month. DIRTT (doing it right this time) is in the business of environmental solutions, rethinking the way our buildings resonate sustainability to their inhabitants and the ecology. The creation of interchangeable and energy efficient interior spaces,  known as Modular Interior Construction, virtually eliminates the enormous waste created by conventional building renovation. This is achieved through specially designed walls, flooring, utility connections and various products; all manufactured in a replicable and sustainable way. Typical office remnants often spill out into a dumpster after only a few years of use, but creating ‘agile’ solutions to this issue is just one part of DIRTT.

All members of UrbanCSA have been invited to view these innovations and attend a media event on Tuesday August 11th at DIRTT Calgary head office where they will be unveiling the cities largest commercial solar array atop their magnificent southeast office. More information about DIRTT can be viewed on their website at www.dirtt.net.

More details to come, hope to see you there.

~Jon

Coming soon: Gaining Ground

May 5 and 6 will bring the second Gaining Ground Summit in Calgary. Those of us who have volunteered have received our work schedules, and it looks like there will be some highly interesting speakers and material for all attendees.

We’ll be sure to post a full recap of the conference as soon as we can!

Photos from Plan It on Campus

A big thanks to all of you who came out on April 2 to see what Plan It has to offer Calgary! This was hands-down the biggest event put together by the UrbanCSA and the culmination of a whole bunch of hard work. It was great to see so many people showing up to see what the future of the city might hold, and also how much free pizza can be handed out at a single event. Check out some of the photos below!

Also, word on the street is that our hoodies have arrived, so be on the lookout next week. Enjoy your Easter weekend, and be sure to check your inbox to see the status of the UrbanCSA’s first year-end party.

Youth participation urged in planning

Guillermo Guglietti wants a say in his future.

As the president of the Urban Calgary Students Association at the University of Calgary, Guglietti said he was dismayed by the overwhelming ratio of senior citizens to youth he’s seen at open houses for Plan It Calgary, the city’s long-term urban development strategy.

“We always saw the same faces and a lot of them were in their 60s and 70s,” said Guglietti.

“But I’m 23 right now and I’ll be 83 when this finishes, so I am the one inheriting this plan.”

Urban CSA approached Plan It Calgary last week, saying city planners should garner more feedback from teens and 20-somethings, as they will be affected by the 60-year-plan for most of their lives.

“We thought, ‘Why not bring this to the youth?’ ” said Guglietti.

To continue reading click here

Young People’s Vision For A Better City; Forum urges foresight

When city officials promote a vision of Calgary’s future and developers jeer the long-range blueprint, they often jokingly admit they probably won’t be alive long enough to see that denser city which the document envisions 60 years from now.

Twenty-something university students are more likely to survive to see that future.

At a University of Calgary campus event Thursday, dozens of them embraced Plan It’s new vision for limits to further sprawl and a quadrupling of the transit system’s service levels.

To read more click here

Event: UrbanCSA @ Mount Royal College

Looks like students from other institutions besides the University of Calgary have decided to get involved in raising awareness for this city’s potential new development plan. The UrbanCSA will be joining Plan It down at Mount Royal College at their presentation the day after the one at the U of C.

The event will be Friday, April 3 from 12:30-2:00 pm in the food court of Wyckham House, located at the west gate entrance of Mount Royal College.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Big Event: UrbanCSA Presents Plan It on Campus

What: The UrbanCSA is proud to present Plan It Calgary at the University of Calgary. There will be displays outlining not only the purposes of the document, but the reasons for its implementation, the role of the students, and a way to provide feedback to the city on just how we want it to look in the future.

Who: On hand to give presentations will be Pat Gordon, project manager of Plan It, and Dr. Byron Miller, the head of the Urban Studies program on campus. Members of the UrbanCSA will be there as well to give further information on the document and to answer any questions you might have.

Where: The event will be held in the South Courtyard of MacEwan Hall (between the Campus Security Office and the SU office).

When: This Thursday, April 2 from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.

This event is not just for students, but rather is an opportunity for all Calgarians to get educated about the potential this city has and to get involved in directing its future. Feel free to come by at any time, and a few other displays will be set up around campus to get more people interested. We hope to see you there!

Here’s a small preview of one of the displays we’ve created:

For further details, or if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to e-mail us.

Earth Hour Tomorrow Night

Tomorrow night is the 3rd annual Earth Hour, where those of us who advocate lower energy use can put our money where our mouths are and turn the lights out for one hour starting at 8:30 pm.

Buy some candles, read a book, go for a walk, spend some quality face time with someone… there are so many ways to spend a mere one hour that don’t involve the use of electricity.

Vote to save the planet with your light switch!

For more information, check out EarthHour.org

Students get Okotoks solar lesson

Members of the Urban Calgary Students Association, predominantly University of Calgary students, tour the Energy Centre at Drake Landing’s solar community earlier this month. The students were interested in seeing how solar energy technology is being used to provide heat to homes in Okotoks. photo by Tamara Neely

By Tamara Neely staff reporter

University of Calgary students who have been travelling the world visiting environmentally progressive and sustainable communities made a trip to Okotoks when they realized there is a good example much closer to home.

On Feb. 28, members of the Urban Calgary Students Association (Urban CSA), who are studying engineering, environmental design and other disciplines, toured Drake Landing to look at the technology used to capture, store and use solar energy in that community.

Guillermo Guglietti, president of Urban CSA, and Andrew Sedor, vice-president external, both found it interesting some people bought solar homes in Drake Landing without even knowing about the innovative technology. The pair was also surprised to learn the conventional homes and solar homes were in the same price range when released onto the market.

To continue reading clickhere

New Opinion – Refining the Public Consultation Process at Fort Calgary

On March 3, Tom Howard and I made the courageous journey all the way from the East Village, across the vast plains, and out to Fort Calgary to party with some planners. The event, put on by the Alberta Association of the Canadian Institute of Planners and the City of Calgary, was orchestrated for planners to show what had been learned through the new processes of public consultation used to create the Brentwood TOD. While there are those in the community that would argue the City did not go far enough to listen to all possible perspectives, what was apparent to my fresh eyes was that not only did the City take a serious approach to public consultation, but they are actively seeking to make the process more efficient and effective for all stakeholders.

Continue reading “Refining the Public Consultation Process at Fort Calgary”

Drake Landing Solar Community Tour – Photos

Drake Landing Solar Community tour back on!

Remember that big tour we were going to go on back in December? Remember how we cancelled it because it was -30 out? Well this time it’s back, and better than ever.

• Where: Drake Landing, Okotoks, Alberta (meet in the Education Block at 12:30)
• When: Saturday, February 28 @ 1:00 pm (until around 3 or 4)
• How much: $5 for regular members, $10 for non-members, and a $5 deposit for Platinum Members

The poster for the event, along with some fantastic pictures of your exec, can be downloaded here. We’re also going to the Unicorn later that night, so even if you can’t make the tour, I’m sure you can make time for a few pints with the rest of the club.

AACIP & City of Calgary Brentwood TOD Event

The City of Calgary will be giving a presentation at Fort Calgary on Tuesday, March 3 to explain the complexities of and lessons learnt from the public participation helping to shape the Brentwood TOD plan.

If you’re interested, you need to give us your name and ticket payment NO LATER than Wednesday, February 25. Cash only! Full details below…

Heritage Roundtable and Public Art Forums

From Calgary Heritage Initiative

From the Calgary Heritage Initiative Society:

Heritage Roundtable – Feb. 19

Are you looking for ways to increase appreciation for community character, tell the unique story of a heritage place or foster neighbourhood pride?

The next instalment of the popular Community Heritage Roundtable is on February 19 2009.

Professionals from Interpretation Canada will be talking about how you can effectively tell the story of your community through tours and other kinds of interpretive programs. This workshop will introduce you to the world of heritage interpretation, offering practical tips and techniques for connecting people to your place. It will inspire, challenge and engage you with plenty of ideas and materials to take back to your group.

Urban CSA Mixer on Tuesday

It’s time for all of us Urban CSA members to get together in one spot, and conveniently enough we’ve chosen a spot that has beer. Come down to the Den on Tuesday, February 10 at 7:00 so we can give more information on the projects we’ll be working on this semester, and get a chance to meet the rest of the club.

Events: Gaining Ground

The Gaining Ground Sustainable Urban Development Leadership Summit is being held in Calgary for the second time in two years. As an attendee last year, I can safely say that it was one of the most interesting (and appropriate, given the current economic uncertainty surrounding the energy sector) experiences I’ve had, getting to hear from industry and academic bigwigs about their knowledge of and plans for dealing with the shift to a more sustainable energy infrastructure. Though the ticket prices are fairly steep, student volunteers get in for free, so I would urge all interested students to send Geoff Gosson an e-mail asking to volunteer.

Led by speakers who study energy in the context of urban planning and development, and thought leaders who can frame energy concerns in terms of opportunities and challenges, this conference is planned as a region-wide conversation about Calgary’s future. The conference has lessons for every city, large and small. It’s a conversation that every city and urban region needs to have, and it’s relevant to a wide range of constituent interests.

This Gaining Ground conference frames a uniquely relevant conversation for Calgary because the city is a global centre of energy expertise. You should attend if your work and interests bear on:

• Energy and the energy future
• Land use strategies and policies
• Real estate and development
• Mobility and transportation
• Business and economic planning
• Innovation and technology
• Strategies for skilled worker attraction
• Infrastructure planning
• Urban design
• Community development

Conference location:

The Westin Calgary
320-4th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB Canada T2P 2S6

General Inquiries:

Geoff Gosson, Conference Manager
(250) 858-4600 or info@gaininggroundsummit.com

For more information see:
http://www.gaininggroundsummit.com/calgary2009/index.htm

Events: Talk at noon

There is a Community Planning Association of Alberta meeting today (January 30th) at noon in PF3160.

Hope to see some of you there!

Events: ISEEE Students’ Association 3rd Annual Networking Dinner

 

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2009

MacEwan Hall (lower floor), University of Calgary

Cocktails: 5:30 p.m.; Program: 6:30 p.m.; Dinner: 6:45 p.m.

IN SUPPORT OF SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES FOR THE COMMUNITY AND
THE UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY’S STUDENTS

• Portion of proceeds donated to the Light Up the World Foundation

• Delicious four-course dinner Book signing by Clint Wilder

• Stupendous door prizes Excellent networking opportunities