Press Release

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For Immediate Release

FROM: Local Government Commission

CONTACT: Judy Corbett, Executive Director, Local Government Commission (530) 848-9482 or (916) 448-1198 x. 318.

Conference To Imagine A More Livable Future For California

In the wake of the budget crisis, participants from a multitude of disciplines will come together in San Diego to determine how to maintain and improve the current and future quality of life in California. The Planning and Building More Livable Communities Conference will be held June 27 and 28 at the US Grant Hotel in San Diego, and is organized by the Local Government Commission.

Experts representing such diverse interests as building and development, crime, government, labor, health, and environmental quality will address ways for California to grow that will solve multiple problems at once.

"With the state and local economic situation as dire as it is, we must find ways to maximize our investments," according to Local Government Commission Executive Director Judy Corbett. "For instance, this might mean a transportation system that is, at once, less costly, improves air and water quality, reduces health care costs, increases economic vitality, saves open space, and reduces crime. All this can probably be accomplished using a single transportation strategy, one that is based on walking," she said.

Conference speakers will likely support this perspective. According to Dr.Alex Kelter "We probably cannot reduce the worsening epidemic of diabetes and obesity without increasing how much each of us walks or cycles to move ourselves everyday from place to place."

Several speakers from local government will provide their views of the importance of modifying land use patterns to reduce dependence upon the car. Azusa's city manager Rick Cole summarizes, "The alternative to urban sprawl is creating memorable and livable places out of auto-oriented suburbs -- it's an environmental and economic necessity."

Among the developers and builders on the conference program is Michael Dieden , President of Creative Housing, a firm currently building housing adjacent to transit stops in South Pasadena. According to Dieden, consumers are looking for the option of being less dependent on a car. "Property values around transit stations are outperforming older locations," he reports, "we see it as a real growth industry." Builder/developer Ryan Lehman, who is also speaking at the conference, sees a market opportunity in creating places where people are less auto dependent, "There is tremendous pent up demand, by people at a variety of income levels, for housing that is nearer to where jobs are."

Much of the conference program will be dedicated to how we get there from here including - 1) how to address the barriers to changing our land use patterns and 2) identifying ways for different constituencies and professions to work together toward a common land use planning goal.

The conference will conclude with an update from the Governor's chief advisor on land use planning, Office of Planning and Research Director Tal Finney, who will discuss the emerging consensus from the state level for more compact, walkable development patterns.

The Planning and Building More Livable Communities Conference is presented by the Local Government Commission. Sponsors and major funders include: the California Department of Health Services, California Department of Transportation, Irvine Foundation, Southern California Gas Company, U.S. EPA Region IX Office, Lewis Operating Corp. and the U.C. Berkeley Traffic Safety Center. Over 75 California-based organizations are cosponsoring the event.

For more information about the program agenda, speakers and special features, visit the conference web site at: http://lgc.digitalgear.com/events1/detail.tpl?cart=312384069939658&_sku=31195221881485

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The Local Government Commission (LGC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, membership organization that provides inspiration, technical assistance, and networking to local elected officials and other dedicated community leaders who are working to create healthy, walkable, and resource-efficient communities.

The LGC's membership is composed of local elected officials, city and county staff, planners, architects, and community leaders who are committed to making their communities more livable, prosperous, and resource-efficient. Visit us on the web at: www.lgc.org

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