[image: http://www.memphis.edu/plannersnetwork/]
April 25, 2011 Dear Colleagues, As May approaches, the Local Host Committee for the 2011 Planners Network International Conference is very excited about this year’s conference! Among the highlights of this year’s conference will be: · A discussion of “Planning in the Face of Austerity, Resistance, and Hysteria” featuring Peter Marcuse, Bill Goldsmith, Pierre Clavel and others · The Mid-South premier of Canadian Aparteid – a new documentary film exploring race, class and diversity in Canadian cities by Leonie Sandercock · A showing of the award-winning documentary film “I Am a Man” highlighting the epic struggle of Memphis’ sanitation workers which brought Dr. King to our city followed by a discussion of contemporary labor rights issues · Twenty-six breakout sessions focused on a broad range of contemporary planning issues including: sustainable planning and design, affordable housing, alternative transportation, urban food systems, planning student activism, and immigrants’ rights · Six neighborhood planning and design charettes in which conference attendees will provide planning and design advice to local activists struggling with “wicked” advocacy planning issues · An evening of American soul food and music at the STAX Museum of American Soul Music where Aretha, Otis, Isaac, Sam, Dave, Steve, Mavis and others made intergalactic music history · A poster session highlighting various forms of contemporary professional practice · Tours of historic downtown Memphis, the city’s new six-mile greenway by bike, the National Civil Rights Museum and Graceland because as all Memphians know – ELVIS LIVES! So, take a few minutes to check out the PN conference website, ( http://conferences.memphis.edu/plannersnetwork/ ), review your May schedule and register for this year’s Planners Network Conference! At a time when very conservative forces are mounting a serious attack on government, public employees, and planning we need to show our support for and commitment to progressive urban and regional policies and participatory planning methods. Do this by attending the 2011 Planners Network International Conference in Memphis – home of the triumphant Memphis Grizzlies who just vanquished the Spurs from this year’s NBA Playoffs and the city voted one of the Best Cities for Young Artists ( http://flavorwire.com/169898/the-best-cities-for-young-artists/7#post_body ) – something Elvis, BB, Johnny, Isaac, Booker T, and Jerry Lee figured out some time ago! So, pack up your fellow progressive planners and designers in the Winnebago and join us in the Bluff City on May 18th for the year’s best planning conference! With warm regards, Ken Reardon Professor and Director of the Graduate Division of City and Regional Planning Chair, 2011 Planners Network International Conference Planning Committee Jessica Buttermore Administrative Associate School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy 208 McCord Hall The University of Memphis 901.678.2161 -- Norma Rantisi, Ph.D. Associate Professor Department of Geography, Planning & Environment Concordia University 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West Montreal, Quebec H3G 1M8 Tel.: 514-848-2424, ext. 2018 Fax: 514-848-2032 E-mail: norma.rant...@gmail.com
