2009 Brownfields Conference
Download the final program to learn more about the 2009 Brownfields Conference, to be held November 16-18 in New Orleans.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is pleased to serve as a co-sponsor for the 2009 Brownfields Conference, which will take place November 16-18 in New Orleans.
This year's conference will offer over 150 educational sessions, workshops, films, and displays focusing on environmental and economic revitalization. Whether you're a novice or expert in the field, the conference provides a number of different ways to learn about tools for revitalizing brownfields – and the historic buildings on these sites – in your community.
According to the Environmental Protect Agency, there are currently over 450,000 brownfields in the United States. Reinvesting in these properties can increase local tax bases, create jobs, rejuvenate communities, and promote the preservation of historic buildings. With over $6.5 billion being invested towards the cleanup and redevelopment of these sites, many communities are launching brownfield programs as part of their economic, environmental, and preservation plans.
The conference will be a great opportunity to network and explore opportunities to revitalize brownfields in your community. To register (for free) or find additional information, please visit the conference website at www.brownfieldsconference.org.
Conference Highlights
Bigger Challenges, Bigger Rewards: Innovative Sustainability Opportunities for Brownfield Sites
Learn about the application of the LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) rating system as a tool to bring attention to how brownfield and previously developed sites are often prime candidates for sustainable redevelopment. This session will offer a brief introduction to LEED-ND, and then focus on case studies of three very different LEED-ND pilot projects and the opportunities and challenges faced as they applied sustainable design principles and historic preservation strategies.
Transformation of a City – One Penny at a Time
See for yourself how a one-penny sales tax transformed into $5 billion in private/public investment in a city. Whether you are from a small or large city, when it comes to brownfield projects, you are faced with similar shortages of redevelopment funding. Local government and community experts in engineering, planning, developing, economic development, and leadership discuss brownfield projects and tackle key issues such as sustainability, infrastructure funding, tax increment financing, historic tax credits, changing market conditions, creating a sense of place, reducing carbon footprint, and public policy changes and new initiatives.
Historic Preservation: Sustainable Choices for Old Buildings
On Tuesday November 17, join National Trust Vice President for Public Policy Emily Wadhams for her session, "Historic Preservation: Sustainable Choices for Old Buildings." Co-presenters will include Diane Strassmaier, EPA Region 9 Brownfields Project Manager; Patricia Gay, Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans; and Joan Exnicios, Chief of the Environmental Planning and Compliance Branch with the New Orleans District, Corps of Engineers. This session will explore how best to incorporate sustainable features into historic buildings without impacting the historic features of the buildings. Special focus will placed on incorporating green design within the context of brownfield redevelopment projects.
