The Official Mailing List

Hey all!

If you have registered as a member and paid your membership dues, you should have received an email informing you of the fact that you are now a part of the UrbanCSA Google Group (or in some cases, an invitation asking you to click a link to join.)

To keep you in touch with both the Executive, as well as each other, we are all part a Google Group which acts as a mailing list.  As well, can find meeting minutes for both Executive and General Membership meetings, copies of past presentations, briefings written by our members and other nuggets of Urban goodness.

This group will act as the communications hub for anything and everything related to the club so it is important that you are able to login and that the email address you are using is a reliable way to contact you.

Be aware that you can change the mailing list options (under the link, “Edit my Membership”) to control how much and how often mailing list email arrives in your inbox.

So please make sure you can login to the group and If you are having troubles or have questions about how it works, please let me know so that I can help!

If you are reading this and you have not received this email, I am missing either your email address and/or your membership dues.  If you have not paid your membership dues, you can do so by contacting Matt Thomey (VP Finance.)  If you know you’ve paid your dues, then we probably don’t have your correct email address and you will need to contact me to get that cleared up.  Note that I’m not posting either of our email addresses here because to do so would invite a boat-load of spam email to both of our inboxes.  Our email addresses can be found under the ‘contact us’ link on the right sidebar of this page
.

Nerdy stuff aside, it was great to meet many of you at our Mixer on Wednesday.  Many of you seem eager and that is always inspiring.   I’m looking forward to a very productive and overall awesome year ahead of us!

Tom S.

VP communications

Be aware that you can change the mailing list options (under the link, “Edit my Membership”) to control how much and how often mailing list email arrives in your inbox.

So please make sure you can login to the group and If you are having troubles or have questions about how it works, please let me know so that I can help!

Cheers!

Tom Schlodder

VP Communcations

tom.schlodder@urbancsa.org

www.urbancsa.orgTo keep you in touch with both the Executive, as well as each other, we are all part a Google Group which acts as a mailing list.  As well, can find meeting minutes for both Executive and General Membership meetings, copies of past presentations, briefings written by our members and other nuggets of Urban goodness.

This group will act as the communications hub for anything and everything related to the club so it is important that you are able to login and that the email address you are using is a reliable way to contact you.

Be aware that you can change the mailing list options (under the link, “Edit my Membership”) to control how much and how often mailing list email arrives in your inbox.

So please make sure you can login to the group and If you are having troubles or have questions about how it works, please let me know so that I can help!

Cheers!

Tom Schlodder

VP Communcations

tom.schlodder@urbancsa.org

www.urbancsa.org

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

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.

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

Order Your UrbanCSA Hoodie!

After much deliberation, we’ve finalized the design of our Urban CSA hoodie! This badass bunny hug will keep you warm and sexy, urban studies style. If you want to order one, submit your information to: Hoodies Order Form. We’ll need your name, e-mail address, phone number, and size (S/M/L/XL).

Check these bad boys out!

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.

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.

UBUD Project Under SU Consideration

The Undergraduate Bureau of Urban Design submitted a project last semester that looked at an enhancement of the facilities at the Craigie Hall bus loop at the south end of campus. It’s currently under review by the Students Union, who will determine whether or not to provide funding for the project. Take a look at the renders below and feel free to comment on it!

The UrbanCSA wishes the best of luck to the UBUD in getting its project approved! For any more information on this project or the UBUD in general, check out their website (http://ubudcalgary.com) or e-mail Connor at rethinkyourworld@yahoo.ca.

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

New Semester

The Urban Calgary Students’ Association has completed its first semester with its great success. In one semester UrbanCSA members have:

• Had two interviews with CBC Radio
• Presented to City Council on the Brentwood TOD and Plan It (Calgary’s future growth plan).
• Reviewed the Brentwood MAP (Mobility Assessment and Plan) for the Calgary Transportation Department
• Attended the Plan It Summit
• Had letters published in the Calgary Herald
• Presented to the City of Calgary Transportation Department on bicycle lanes
• Presented to City of Calgary Planners on sustainable suburbs
• Set up an exam bank and an area in the collections room

 

That was just the first semester. This semester will hopefully be even better. 

We have two events that will be commencing within the next few weeks.  First, is a tour of the Drake Landing Solar community, which was postponed last semester due to horrible weather. The second will be a chance to meet the author of “The Geography of Hope” and Globe and Mail columnist Chris Turner. We will be going to the bar “The Hop n Brew” with Chris sometime in the up coming weeks.  If you want to get involved with any projects or have any ideas for projects or events contact us at contact@urbancsa.org.

Good luck in the new year!   

P.S. Everyone who paid for a membership in the first semester is still a member this semester. 

Drake Landing tour postponed

Due to the recent weather, we’ve sadly decided to postpone the trip out to see the Drake Landing solar community. We’re still going to do it, just not until the next semester. An alternative social event has been scheduled for Thursday, and this one involves the UrbanCSA, taking the train, and alcohol. I know, awesome, right?

The plan is to meet at the Unicorn Pub on Stephen Avenue (304 8th Ave SW) at 5:00 pm on Thursday, December 18 to celebrate a successful semester for the UrbanCSA and having made it through exams. Please let us know if you’re coming down, and if you’re not, happy holidays and we’ll see you in 2009!

-Derek

Brentwood TOD Goes Before Council

The long-awaited presentation of the controversial Brentwood Station Area Redevelopment Plan to City Council occurred this afternoon at City Hall. Plenty of concerned citizens were in attendance and both sides of the debate were well represented. Both Tom and I prepared some words for the mayor and his aldermen, and approximately 15 other people also spoke in favour of the new plan. Those opposed came out in force to also express their views on the project, though due to final exam obligations we were unfortunately unable to stay and hear their arguments.

Their hesitations about the plan must have had some substantial pull with Council, as Global and CTV News have reported that the body politic continued debate until around 9:30 pm without resolving the issue. Council will continue debating the proposal tomorrow, and hopefully they are able to resolve their issues quickly and approve the project.

A big thanks to everybody who came down and showed their support! If this thing goes through, it’ll be a big day for all of Calgary as we implement a new, modern design mentality.

-Derek Pomreinke

Urbancsa on CBC radio one

Today the UrbanCSA’s own Tom Howard was interviewed by Tom Spear of CBC Radio and given the chance to voice our organization’s support for the Brentwood TOD.  Sound bytes will be played during CBC Radio One’s news segments this evening and anybody interested can listen in at the bottom of every hour. The webcast can be found here, while those of you feeling old-school can tune your dial to 1010 AM or 99.1 FM. Be sure to listen in at 5:30, 6:30 or 7:30 to hear from Tom!

Even better than this exposure is the invitation for Tom to be interviewed again, this time during the CBC’s live on-air morning segment shortly after 7:00 am on Monday, December 5th. The station will be doing a piece exploring both sides of the Brentwood TOD plan, with both supporters (that’s us!) and opponents getting to voice their thoughts, giving the city a final dose of information before the plan is presented to City Council later in the day.

Because of the vociferous opposition to this redevelopment, the UrbanCSA will be preparing a short presentation of our support for the plan and will also be speaking on behalf of the U of C’s chapter of the Institute for Transportation Engineers. If you’d like to get involved, or for more information, just send us an e-mail.

-Derek Pomreinke

Tour to the Drake Landing Solar Community

Join UrbanCSA as we travel to Drake Landing Solar Community. Drake landing features 52 homes, with 90% of spatial heating needs provided by solar thermal energy. Come see how the town of Okotoks overcame challenges to accomplish this North America first.

The tour will take us around the community. We will talk with people from ATCO and the City of Okotoks regarding the infrastructure challenges, the design of the community, and the advantages and challenges that such development introduced.

Click post for more details!

UrbanCSA support for the Brentwood TOD

Tom Howard, VP Academic of UrbanCSA, wrote the a support letter for the Brentwood TOD. His views are widely supported by the executive council of UrbanCSA, and represent our perspective towards urban development and the future form of our City.

This letter will be included in the public hearing to be held on Monday regarding the Brentwood TOD. There has been significant resistance to this project which, it is important to notice, has been widely discussed and consultated with the Community Association and the neighbors.

The Brentwood Transit Oriented Development represents a step forward towards a transit oriented, denser and more human Calgary. Let’s hope that, through involvement and understanding, a concensus is reached in our City on Monday!

Letter sent by Tom Howard to Alderman Farrel:

 

Alderman Farrell,

As an executive member of the Urban Calgary Students Association, an organization currently representing over 50 University of Calgary undergraduates, I would like to formally express our associations support for the Brentwood Station Area Redevelopment. The collective experience of our group in studying sustainable, functional communities informs us that the current proposition is a sound, workable plan that may serve as a catalyst for further such optimal growth patterns.

Update

• Our event staff has been finalizing details with the town of Okotoks about taking UrbanCSA members on a tour of the Drake Landing Solar Community. We need to find a date that would work for most members.
• Right now is probably one of the most hectic pats of year for University Calgary Students, so we won’t be doing any projects until the semester is over. But, we are looking for people, who in the near future would be interested in doing projects and presenting them to developers and City of Calgary staff. From personal experience this is a great way to network, have your voice heard and gain practical experience. If you have an idea for a project email us at contact@urbancsa.org
• This week we will try to incorporate “The Polis” website (the old urban studies club) with UrbanCSA.org, so UrbanCSA members will have access to the exam bank and discussion boards.
• On a final note I would just like to say thank you for the incredible amount of people who signed up to be UrbanCSA members (Byron seemed pretty happy).

With your help this group could do amazing things in Calgary. Good luck with your exams and hopefully a few months down the road I will see some of you giving presentations to City Council.     

 Andrew Sedor