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Cities
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August 11-13, 2008 The 2008 Cities for Sustainable Growth forum will explore opportunities for environmentally sustainable, community-centered “quality growth.” It will look at best practices in regional planning that have preserved the environmental and cultural integrity of an area while allowing for continued economic growth. Employing a knowledge-sharing methodology used by CIFAL Atlanta's parent organization, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, the forum will explore the following key themes:
The city of LaGrange in Troup County , Georgia , will serve as the backdrop for the forum. LaGrange and fellow Troup County cities including West Point and Hogansville, are preparing for an increase in population growth as a result of recent investments in the local economy. The three cities are currently working with the Troup County government and the Georgia Institute of Technology to plan for the expected growth. Cities for Sustainable Growth will be the third annual forum that CIFAL Atlanta's Environmental Department has organized in LaGrange. Past forums have looked at green building practices for local municipalities and showcased an innovative public-private partnership that uses methane from a local landfill as an energy source for industrial consumers. BACKGROUND As cities and counties attract investments, create jobs and increase their populations, the need for planned regional growth becomes all the more pertinent. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has found that compact, mixed-use development, as opposed to dispersed “sprawling” growth, reduces water pollution, helps preserve an area's local ecology, reduces reliance on motor vehicles, and improves air quality. In the long-term, smart growth practices can help improve the health of local citizens, who are encouraged to walk or bike instead of taking vehicles and it can reduce the negative impacts on the environment. CIFAL Atlanta's Land Use and Regional Planning forum will look at ways to
The city of LaGrange and Troup County will serve as hosts for the forum. Troup County alongside its major cities, which include LaGrange, West Point and Hogansville, is preparing for an increase in population growth after Korea-based Kia Motors Corp. committed to building a $1.2 billion automotive assembly plant in the western Georgia county. The plant is expected to create more than 2,000 jobs in the area and spur additional growth opportunities. The city and county governments are currently working with the Georgia Institute of Technology to plan for the increase in population growth in a way that will preserve the cultural and ecological integrity of the region. CIFAL and LaGrange Background Cities for Sustainable Growth will be the third annual forum that CIFAL Atlanta's Environmental Department has organized in LaGrange. Last year's forum, Green Buildings for Equitable Communities, brought together more than 60 delegates from 20 cities, to explore best practices in building energy efficient, environmentally friendly constructions. A 2006 CIFAL forum showcased LaGrange's innovative landfill methane recovery system that is a result of a public-private partnership between the city and local carpet manufacturers, Interface Inc. and Milliken & Co. About 80 city and county-level officials from throughout the Western Hemisphere are expected to attend this year's land use and regional development forum. CIFAL Atlanta Knowledge Management Methodology CIFAL Atlanta uses a knowledge management methodology employed by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research. Every forum encourages best practice sharing between delegates, who are experts and professionals working in local-level public, private and civil society entities around the world. The methodology encourages discussion of best practices, identifies resources in the field and urges delegates to draft action plans that will encourage positive policy change in their home communities. Past Supporters Past supporters of CIFAL Atlanta programs held in LaGrange have included Callaway Gardens , the City of LaGrange , David Oakey Designs, LaGrange College, Milliken & Co., Interface Inc., Troup County , the Urban Land Institute-Atlanta, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Green Building Council and others. Contact Information
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