Email Newsletter
Of the Next Generation of New Urbanists | November 2007

Welcome to the NextGen newsletter. We thought we’d dedicate this first issue to the SNU I conference that took place at the University of Notre Dame October 5th – 7th of this year. The newsletter provides recaps for those who couldn’t make it as well as reactions from those attending, and ideas for moving forward from the conference. And audio recordings for those who missed it.

We hope to feed the momentum SNU and NextGen felt coming out of such a successful weekend. Our hope is to start an active monthly discussion on issues facing the next generation of urbanists. Contributions are welcomed and encouraged; so poke around, catch up on the latest news, and join the discussion.

 
__________________________________________

First Congress of the Students for New Urbanism | Eileen Murphy
The three day long First Congress of the Students for New Urbanism was a unique educational experience for someone in my position. I’m a fourth year architecture student at Notre Dame, and I had nothing to do with planning the weekend. To tell the truth, going into it I didn’t have any idea what to expect. I took a seat in our school’s auditorium on Friday evening, relaxed, and opened my mind... (continue reading)

Real Relevance is the Cumulative Effect | Keith Schneider
We express ourselves in the 21st century in a kind of digital shorthand. Our text messages contain fragments of words. We connect by first name and iconic images: Brad and Angelina and their $10 million cover shot baby. And while energy prices soar and foreclosures mount, and our southern cities are variously drowned one year by a hurricane and dry up another in drought, we spend more time in public conversation on Brady and Manning, Rosie and Oprah, than we do on more germane matters. Like why we’re spending $1 trillion we can’t afford to wage war against a country that never attacked us... (continue reading)

Alice in Wonderland, Sasquatch,
and Scott Merrill’s Contradiction in Architecture | Megan O'Hara]
Discernment in decision-making has always been a challenge for me, especially when opposing sides seem contradictory; so Scott Merrill’s topic at SNU of “How I make decisions in modern architecture” piqued my interest immediately. Ironically enough, Scott admitted to being conflicted even in how he wanted to approach such a subject. He spoke of his living with doubt and making decisions more often with hesitation than with conviction... (continue reading)

Next Steps for Students for New Urbanism | Jim Kumon
On Sunday morning of SNU I, students and young professionals convened for 120 minutes to assess and the weekend and examine student involvement in the future of urbanism. Four primary issues were addressed in this large group discussion:
• A SNU national presence and the relationship to the Next Generation of New Urbanists (NextGen)
• The format and purpose of future SNU conferences
• A SNU website and communication tools
• Mentorship from NextGen and CNU members.
Although unanswered questions numbered as many as those resolved, the following is a summary of the conclusions reached on the four subjects... (continue reading)

__________________________________________

SNU Audio
Audio recordings of SNU Speakers are available online. Click on a speaker below.

NextGen Calendar
Up and Coming Events

NextGen 5
April 2, 2008 | Austin TX
CNU NextGen Site

CNU XVI
April 3-6 2008 | Austin TX
CNU XVI Site (under construction)

______________________

Wiki(s) of the Week
Help the NextGen Wiki grow

- The NextGen Playlist
- Favorite New Urbanist Projects

______________________

SNU Photos
Photo gallery from SNU I

______________________

Join NextGen
Not a NextGen member? Signup here to be added to our member directory.

______________________

Tell Us What You Think
It's the first NextGen Newsletter, and we hope to have many more. How'd we do? Let us know what you think.