This course explores the elements that make a place a desirable destination for cultural visitors. Cultural visitors are the gold mine of the tourism industry. They are wealthier, travel more and spend more. And through their spending, cultural visitors support the arts, heritage and cultural sites, and distinctive neighborhoods. This course explores how almost any community can attract cultural visitors, whether it be from next door or across a region.

Using land use planning measures to respond to advance sustainability and resilience of both the natural and built environment requires at least a basic understanding of the environment and of ecological principles. The American Planning Association has recently established a Certified Environmental Planner credential in recognition of the expertise required in these areas.

Learn from experienced local leaders and professionals about how to achieve innovative, high-quality, community-minded redevelopment in light of current economic and environmental constraints. Workshops are structured in a hands-on, case-study format, featuring instructors who have faced the challenges of redevelopment in communities throughout New Jersey.

The Delaware River Basin Forum is a free, one-day event addressing the sustainability of water resources of the Delaware River Basin. The purpose of the Forum is to heighten awarenesss of the challenges for water resouerce protection; to connect regional and local officials, planners, water suppliers, regulators, environmental organizations, and other stakeholders and basin-wide and local issues; and to create the framework for ongoing collaboration.

Join Various Affordable Housing Professionals for a Unique Networking Opportunity at Ponzios Diner in Cherry Hill.

A Complete Streets Workshop, focused on providing municipal and county officials with information on planning for Complete Streets in both suburban and rural areas.

The National Brownfields Conference is the largest, most comprehensive conference in the nation focused on environmental revitalization and economic redevelopment. Whether you’re a newcomer to the world of economic and environmental redevelopment, or a seasoned professional looking to make new connections and increase your business, Brownfields 2011 offers something for you.

The Community FoodBank of New Jersey’s 280,000 square foot facility in Hillside, NJ distributes 3 million pounds of food a month. During our tour, we will see how an organization deals with great variability in product intake and shipping, has developed cost effective approaches to adding refrigerated storage (which can be replicated in other settings), integrates the use of volunteers into the distribution process, and uses environmentally sustainable processes – all on a shoestring budget.

TransAction 2011 will feature 65 workshop sessions (4 & 5 concurrent throughout each day) specializing in bus, rail, roads, bridges, goods movement, pedestrian/bicycle, paratransit, community transportation, ports, and much more.

Some towns in New Jersey have established Market-to-Affordable programs that allow the municipality to purchase underpriced units, buy down the price even further, and turn them into affordable housing rental or for sale units. This panel discussion will talk with a couple of the administrators of these programs about how they work, and one tax assessor who must re-evaluate the price of the units for tax purposes.

The Redevelopment Planning Law course, a three-½-day dynamic and engaging course, explores the legal and planning aspects of the redevelopment process in New Jersey. Instructors address major topics including redevelopment plans, redeveloper agreements, and current legal and public policy issues. Case studies are used to demonstrate the successes and pitfalls of redevelopment planning.

Join ULI-NNJ and economist Claude Gruen, the author of New Urban Development: Looking Back to See Forward, recently published by Rutgers University Press, for a luncheon discussion of the unintended economic consequences of land use regulatory and zoning constraints on housing production.

10:00AM   Welcoming Remarks David Listokin Co-Director, Center for Urban Policy Research 10:05 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.    National Economic Trend Lines James W. HughesDean, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public PolicyRutgers University, Director, Rutgers Regional Report Nancy H. Mantell Director, R/ECON 10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.     Recent and Promising Business Development Initiatives in New […]

Affordable Housing Professionals of NJ - Join us for a networking opportunity and a discussion on "Using Developer Fees for Affordability Assistance for Renters and Purchasers"

Come hear some of the key players describe their efforts to support a healthier Hackensack River watershed. Speakers include Bob Cotter, Jersey City Planning Director; Stephen Marks, Hudson County Planning Director; and Captain Bill Sheehan, the Hackensack Riverkeeper. This event includes a walking tour of the existing Hackensack River waterfront walkway.

During this 2-day course you will participate in a comprehensive review of the assessment that takes place prior to the acquisition or development of commercial property.  You will learn how to conduct an analysis on various real estate  development projects to identify the magnitude of the risk, and based on that assessment, make a decision on whether or not to move forward with the development project.

    * Learn how "real world" green solutions can improve the urban landscape.     * Use urban "greening" to save energy, decrease urban heat island effects, increase recreational and open space, mitigate stormwater problems, and protect water resources and improve local quality of life.     * Incorporate low cost and environmentally beneficial options to improve […]

This workshop will discuss the constitutional statues that authorize the granting of short and long-term tax exemptions and the procedural process for granting tax abatements for residential and commercial projects including establishing the PILOT payment.

In a climate where open space funding is scarce and the future of New Jersey's Green Acres funds beyond the next two years is uncertain, mayors, planning board members, planners, environmental commission members, land preservationists and interested citizens like you need a full tool box to protect New Jersey's precious open spaces.

The centerpiece of the conference will be a roll-out of the results of PlanSmart NJ’s new focus group research that queries business leaders throughout the state on what is driving their expansion and relocation decisions and how land use can play a key role in reinvigorating New Jersey’s economy.

This meeting is part of a series of listening sessions held around the region. The goal of the meeting is to reach residents, businesses, municipalities, organizations, and other stakeholders in the region to inform them about DVRPC and public participation opportunities.

Please join us for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres as we honor seven innovative smart-growth development plans and projects and one visionary New Jersey leader. You'll also have the opportunity to bid for such goodies as a magnum of wine or four tickets to the Metropolitan Museum of Art including dinner in the Trustees' Dining room at our silent auction.

Where people live, learn, work, and play has a tremendous impact on their health. Planners are a key ingredient in creating a healthy community.

Visit: http://www.cpe.rutgers.edu/courses/current/ew0326ha.html#workshops

Using Morristown’s heralded Epstein’s Redevelopment project as a back drop, this informative and interactive session will review important elements that lead to a successful downtown redevelopment project. Discussions will include planning, approvals and construction, so no matter what stage of the process your community finds itself in - this program will assist you in crossing the finish line.

The Green Building Workshop is the next logic step in the NJRA RTI course offerings. Participants will gain a more in-depth knowledge the commonly used terms “sustainable development” and “green building”.

Please join the New Jersey Chapter of the Society for Marketing Professional Services in celebrating the achievements of four honorees who have made significant and lasting contributions to the Garden State’s built environment and community.

Buyers of deed restricted affordable housing units in New Jersey are having difficulty finding mortgages since FHA will not lend given some of the restrictions. This panel will discuss the current state of the mortgage market for affordable units, talk about how banks are making these loans, and introduce other ways that buyers are obtaining martgages and how municipalities can help.

Join your fellow ULI members, colleagues and friends for a relaxing afternoon on a spectacular cruise around Manhattan Island aboard The Valiant, a luxury 96 ft. long luxury yacht.

Sustainable Jersey, supported by Shaping NJ, has scheduled a workshop on Complete Streets and Safe Routes to School for local activists interested in pursuing these policies in their towns. The workshop will highlight basic policy principles, potential resources and local case studies.