CNU New York

Paul Whalen, Partner at Robert A.M. Stern Architects, will talk about the role of design in the public / private partnership that has revitalized the theater block of New York City’s 42nd Street. Please join us for this extraordinary riches-to-rags-to-riches story, and meet the leaders of the newly founded New York Congress for the New Urbanism.

Discussion about New Urbanism to follow presentation with audience members and founders of CNU New York.

Event Details:

Date/Time:

Thursday, April 16, 2009, 6:30PM

Location:

Institute of Classical Architecture & Classical America

20 West 44th Street 3rd floor

New York, New York 10036

RSVP by Web-Only.  Please sign-up at http://cnu-ny.eventbrite.com/

See Event Flyer

CNU’s John Norquist appeared before the committee this morning, bringing a message about how federal investments in integrated networks of walkable streets and public transportation will strengthen communities, bolster regional economies and dramatically reduce carbon emissions and other environmental impacts. “For thousands of years, urban thoroughfares were used for commerce, movement, and social interaction,” says Norquist. “Only in the 20th century did engineers start to think that traffic should be segregated from other activities. Increasingly though, Americans are turning away from the isolation of automobile-dependent areas and choosing to live in neighborhoods with traditional walkable street networks. Federal policies should reflect the choices people are making. The time for grade-separated highways as the centerpiece of federal transportation policy has come and gone.”

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On Wednesday, February 25, Presidents John Norquist and Robert Yaro, of Congress for the New Urbanism and Regional Plan Association, respectively, discussed the heightening affair between urban planning and America’s current economic situation. Both spoke on President Obama’s stimulus package and the effects it will have on the future of our cities. While Yaro gave a hopeful list of smart growth-based guidelines for economic revitalization throughout New York State, Norquist weighed both the possible positive and more negative consequences of the Obama administration’s plan. Both men, however, agreed that a new urbanist foundation should lead the way to recovery.

Read more about the event in the American Institute of Architects’ E-Oculus.

If you missed the event, you can watch the video of the entire evening, plus the powerpoints given by each speaker.

On Wednesday, February 25, at 6:30 pm, Regional Plan Association and CNU New York partner with the Museum of the City of New York for a timely discussion about urban design theories and their effects on climate change, quality of life and the economy. Download the event Flyer (1.2 MB PDF) for details.

President of RPA Robert Yaro will discuss the effects of new urbanism, transit-oriented development, LEED-ND and smart growth in the New York metropolitan region and offer his suggestions for moving forward in this tough economic time. CNU President John Norquist will comment with his own thoughts about how New York’s urbanism positions it for future success and how the nation as a whole can benefit from the techniques of new urbanism. The evening will begin with an introduction of the region’s New Urbanist precedents, including Jersey City, Forest Hills, Queens, Battery Park City and more.

After the event, join us for a 30-minute informal discussion and networking opportunity. Refreshments will be served.

Reservations are required. Please call 212.534.1672 x3395 or visit www.mcny.org to reserve a spot today!

$9 for non-members, $5 for CNU, RPA, APA, ICA and MCNY members.

Museum of the City of New York is located at 1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd St.

This event is presented by CNU New York in partnership with:

Regional Plan Association www.rpa.org

American Planning Association - NY, CT and NJ Chapters www.nyplanning.org  www.ccapa.org  www.njapa.org

The Institute for Classical Architecture www.classicist.org

In response to soaring fuel costs and the increasing lack of affordable housing in proximity to jobs, schools, shops and open spaces, Transportation for America formed earlier this year. A broad coalition of local, regional, state and national partners, T4American seeks to align our country’s transportation policies with an array of issues like economic opportunity, climate change, energy security, health, housing and community development.

CNU New York is proud to have become a sponsor of this organization. Other coalition partners includes housing, environmental, public health, urban planning and transportation organizations.

Justifiably concerned that our national transportation program does not look to the future, but rather to yesterday’s problems, T4America advocates for the improvement of transit, whether it be inter-city or urban rail, clean buses, streets for safe walking and biking or well-maintained bridges and highways.

On October 15, 2008, outside Grand Central Station, T4America gathered NYC DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, MTA CEO and Executive Director Lee Sander and other transportation officials, Congressman Jerrald Nadler and several coalition partners to call on the next President and Congress to strengthen our economy by building a 21st Century transportation system.

To take action, ask our President-Elect Obama to take the lead by visiting BuildforAmerica.org.