NextGen3 at CNU XIV
Providence, Rhode Island

Overview

About 140 people attended NextGen3, the third annual congress of the Next Generation of New Urbanists, held May 31, 2006 in Providence, Rhode Island. NextGen3 Chair, Russell Preston, opened the congress briefly detailing the history of NextGen and an overview of the day's events. Attendees of the morning session were then treated to three engaging presentations given by new urbanist developers under the age of 35, Anna Lowder and Harvi Sahota, Sara Struever, and Jed Selby . Their insights from the trenches of implementation and outlook on future patterns of development were as inspiring as they were challenging to the status quo of current trends. More information on the speakers and their presentations can be found below.

The afternoon session once again featured our cornerstone NextGen activity, Open Space Technology, facilitated by Jennifer Hurley and Ed Erfurt. The participants' common interests spawned about 25 discussion threads over the three hour period. These included topics and discussions such as:

• Why aren't there more bars in NU developments,
• Engaging existing Nonprofits in NU work
• How to initiate a NU development without prior equity
• Nurturing [Small] Town Character
• Marketing TNDs
• Green Urbanism

More can be viewed here on our Wiki

After a break for dinner, the day was wrapped up with the evening reception at Red Fez, mingling with the local Providence nightlife scene.

Significant portions of this year's Congress were recorded so they could be shared to the greater NextGen audience who were unable to make it and to encourage newcomers to join us for future events.  

 

NextGen3 AudioCasts (More Coming Soon)

Opening: Russell Preston
Presentation 1: Anna Lowder & Harvi Sahota
Presentation 2: Sara Struever
Presentation 3: Jed Selby
Open Space Segment One: General Introductions
Open Space Segment Two: Financial
Open Space Segment Three: Green Urbanism
Open Space Segment Four: NU: Brand or Ideal
Open Space Segment Five: Promoting NU in government settings

 

Background Info for NextGen3 Speakers:

Anna Lowder & Harvi Sahota
Anna Lowder & Harvi Sahota are the husband-wife founders of City Loft Corporation. After moving from London to Montgomery, Alabama in December 2004 to lead urban revitalization efforts, they have completed a downtown mixed-use renovation and are currently working on three new construction in-fill projects. Anna & Harvi are also project managers for Hampstead, a new 400 acre DPZ community in Montgomery scheduled to begin construction this year.

Harvi received his MA in Communication, Art, & Design from the Royal College of Art in London, while Anna trained and worked as a journalist and fashion designer. The couple use their backgrounds in design and experience in urban environments as inspiration for their work and and their commitment to New Urbanism.

www.townofhampstead.com   and   www.cityloftcorporation.com

 

Jed Selby
Jed Selby is a co-founder of South Main, a TND located in Buena Vista, CO. He is committed to a rigorous study of how best to pragmatically align human needs with those of the natural environment. He is committed to learning and team- building in order to facilitate the implementation of his vision. Jed is in the process of building the company which will redefine the development profession as we know it. With a diverse background in business, design, philosophical, and learning principles, Jed believes that the New Urbansim is the first step towards creating a world of interdependence and harmony.

www.southmainriverpark.com

   

 

Sara Struever
PUENTE, which means bridge in Spanish, is a non-profit real estate and community economic development organization based in Olneyville. Our mission is to catalyze economic self-sufficiency and provide opportunities to neighborhoods that are facing gentrification and displacement. Specifically, we reactivate abandoned and under-utilized properties to the benefit of the local community.

Sara is co-founder of the PUENTE and has led the organizational and board development of PUENTE. She utilizes her skills in graphic design/communications and grass-roots community organizing in this role.

Sara attended RISD and graduated in 2002 with a major in graphic design. Some of her other projects include the founding of Slimemold Press, a small publishing company in Providence, and the organization of WANT's (Women's Advocates Networking Together) Annual Women's Day Festival, where she curates the gallery. Sara has lived in Olneyville three years.

www.puenteprovidence.org
www.theplantprovidence.com

 

Key Contributors to NextGen3:

Brian Wright - Founder - Franklin, TN
Russell Preston - CNU XIV Program Chair - Providence, RI

Faith Cable - Chapel Hill, NC Payton Chung - Chicago, IL Edward Erfurt - Orlando, FL Jon Ford - Boston, MA Eliza Harris - Boston, MA Jennifer Hurley - Philadelphia, PA Jim Kumon - Pasadena, CA

Matthew Lambert - Miami, FL Jacob Lindsey - Charleston, SC Suzanha Poliwka - San Francisco, CA Benjamin Weaver - Pittsburgh, PA Faith Weber - Memphis, TN Kara Wilbur - Boston, MA Ryan Wilson - Chicago, IL