The lecturers for this year's
Design Excellence Lecture Series have one important thing in common: Each has used careful planning to improve the quality of life and economic vitality of their cities.
These civic leaders from Cleveland, Philadelphia and Toronto are working with the
Community Design Center of Pittsburgh (CDCP), which hosts the lecture series, in an effort to further the discussion of city-building, visionary planning, sustainability, community engagement, and civic awareness here in our city.
"We chose 'The Intentional City' as the theme this year to bring a range of speakers working in different capacities as civic leaders focusing on good planning and design, to try to engage community stakeholders in Pittsburgh grappling with this subject," says Tom Bartnik, director of design and planning at CDCP.
"For last year's lecture series, we had three architects. So it really was geared a little more toward the design profession," he says. This year, a more varied audience is expected.
The first of these lectures (which are followed by panel discussions) takes place on Monday, Nov. 23, when Terry Schwarz, senior planner with the
Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative at Kent State University will speak. The next two lectures take place on Feb. 22 and April 19. Tickets are available in advance or at the door.
Each event will include a 30-minute lecture followed by a 30-minute panel discussion about the evening's presentation and a reception to follow. Grant Oliphant, President and CEO of
The Pittsburgh Foundation, will moderate the panel for the first lecture, whose members include Schwarz, Bartnik, Kim Graziani of the mayor's office and Malik Bankston of
The Kingsley Association.
Bartnik is excited to see what progress emerges from these discussions. "Pittsburgh is an amazing place to be working right now," he says, and it is filled with possibility.
Writer: Melissa Rayworth
Source: Tom Bartnik, CDCP
Image courtesy of CDCP
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