NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 21, 2006
Contact: Diane Brossart
Valley Forward Association
(602) 240-2408

VALLEY FORWARD'S LIVABILITY SUMMIT
EXAMINES "SMARTER GROWTH" CHOICES FOR MARICOPA COUNTY

PHOENIX, Ariz. (March 21, 2006) – Global experts on smarter growth will address ways to make metropolitan Phoenix more livable and sustainable at Valley Forward's Livability Summit on April 21 at the Phoenix Convention Center. Event headliners include former U.S. EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman, now co-chair of the National Smart Growth Council, and Joel Garreau, editor for the Washington Post and author of "Radical Evolution" and "Edge City: Life on the New Frontier."

The program will also feature an interactive panel discussion moderated by Ned Foster of KTAR 620 Newsradio and including: Gil Friend of Natural Logic Inc. in Berkeley, Calif.; Michael Pyatok of Stardust Center for Affordable Homes & the Family in Phoenix, Ariz.; and Jim Durrett of the Livable Communities Coalition in Atlanta, Georgia.

Among topics to be discussed at the summit are: What is smart growth and how do communities grow smarter? Why are some places more livable, desirable and sustainable than others? How does Maricopa County rank? How can we develop integrated solutions to growth issues that link land use and open space planning, transportation and air quality, urban design, water management and related concerns?

The half-day summit will take place from 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m and is open to the public for $130 per person, including breakfast and lunch. Continuing education credits are available. For reservations, go online to www.valleyforward.org or call (602) 240-2408.

Local public, private and non-profit initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life in our region will be showcased in Valley Forward's Resource Area at the event.

"The theme for the summit is building quality communities," said Diane Brossart, president of Valley Forward. "Maricopa County was just ranked the fastest growing metropolitan area in the country. Our goal is to help strike a balance between economic growth and environmental quality. We are bringing together some of the greatest minds on how to do this in an effort to convene thoughtful public dialogue directed at improving the livability and sustainability of our region."

In her morning address, Whitman will share her insight and knowledge on ways to influence government, business and industry to remove barriers to applying principles of good planning. Widely known for her strong environmental record, Whitman has helped create cleaner air, water and land during her tenure as governor of New Jersey. In testimony before the U.S. Senate, she noted environmental and economic goals go hand.

Dedicated to the creation of more livable and profitable urban areas worldwide, Garreau is one of the foremost cultural demographers of our time. He will discuss his commitment to understanding who we are, how we got that way and where we're headed globally.

Topics to be addressed in the panel discussion include: the ecological, social and economic necessity of higher densities and affordable workforce housing and how government policies impede it; how we can make sustainability the norm rather than the exception; how state and local leaders can impact a substantial reduction in the use of water and energy; how Atlanta accomplished its Livable Communities Compact and how the concept could be implemented in metro Phoenix.

Valley Forward is a 37-year-old, non-profit public interest organization that brings business and civic leaders together to convene public dialogue on regional issues and to promote cooperative efforts to improve the environment and livability of Valley communities. For more information, call (602) 240-2408.