Join us for a discussion on urban and regional planning in Quebec and New England, where we examine how cities in both these areas will face the future. Featuring guests from Canada and the Northeastern US, our panelists will attempt to tease out why urban and regional planning has gone from visionary to ordinary. This conference seeks to redirect the momentum of contemporary city planning back toward a creative exploration of what places could be instead of what they are likely to become.

Please join DVRPC, the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, the Southern New Jersey Development Council, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Select Greater Philadelphia, and other leaders at "Investing in People and Places" to discuss Greater Philadelphia’s priorities for economic development. Business leaders from big and small companies will share why they chose to start, stay and grow their businesses in Greater Philadelphia.

This one-day class is meant for pond owners, pond managers, landscape architects, engineers and anyone involved with the design, management or maintenance of ponds. This course is structured to help you make the proper decisions regarding the appearance, function or up-keep of your pond. Starting with design, learn how to build a pond, including the construction of embankments and dams and the selection and installation of liners. You will also learn how to create and maintain a stable shoreline, create and aquascape littoral benches, and optimize habitat for fish and aquatic wildlife. 

Join ULI NNJ members and colleagues on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at St. Peter’s University in Jersey City, as we engage in a profound dialogue and book signing with the author of “A Country of Cities: A Manifesto for Urban America,” Vishaan Chakrabarti. Mr. Chakrabarti is the director of Columbia University’s Center for Urban Real Estate (CURE) and a partner at SHoP Architects,

Come learn about the new trend of aging in place and how it may affect how we address affordable housing for seniors. Come join AHPNJ in the discussion with presenter Emily A. Greenfield, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Programs on Aging Coordinator at the School of Social Work at Rutgers University.

Each spring, RPA brings together more than 1,000 civic and business leaders from around the New York metropolitan area to discuss major issues affecting the prosperity and quality of life in the region. At this year’s RPA Assembly, speakers, workshops and interactive presentations will explore our initial research for the next regional plan and discuss how to create more livable, prosperous and equitable communities, protect ourselves from severe weather, and grapple with our fiscal and governance challenges.

This spring, all roads lead to Atlanta. Five thousand planners are heading to APA's 2014 National Planning Conference, April 26-30. It's the perfect place to see what's around the corner for the planning profession and communities around the world.

Technology is changing the way planning is conducted and open government is reshaping community engagement. Citizens now can access extensive information online and make use of government data, application processes, review procedures, and project commenting. Learn how this affects the planning commission's role as the interface between government and the public. The program also will look at the developing concept of participatory budgeting.

You are cordially invited to the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy Alumni Gathering. The school has organized this alumni event in the midst of the APA (American Planning Association) National Conference in Atlanta and would love it if you are able to attend! Even if you are not attending the APA conference, the alumni gathering is open to all Bloustein alums!

On April 29, 2014 the NJ Department of Health and ShapingNJ are co-presenting a special event with Rutgers University. Dena Seidel, Rutgers Center for Digital Filmmaking at the Mason Gross School of the Arts has produced a documentary feature entitled, Generation at Risk: Joining Forces to Fight Childhood Obesity, which now includes an interview with Commissioner O'Dowd, as well as several other experts in the field from within and outside of NJ.