Events for the UMDC
*All UMDC Events are open to the public. We encourage Memphians to join us at events to view work, ask questions, and become informed about the UMDC and the Studio. The UMDC looks forward to having you there.
Planning Matters Lecture Series -
The UMDC along with ULI Memphis is hosting this speaker series, focused on the value of comprehensive planning. Planning Matters seeks to both demystify exactly what land use planning is and provide locals with cutting edge ideas and best practices that will enhance the Memphis 3.0 plan.
Whether we know it or not, comprehensive planning matters to all of us.
Upcoming Lectures
TBA
Past Planning Matters Lectures
"Building a Strong, Prosperous and Resilient Memphis" with Shelley Poticha -(Washington D.C.) Managing Director, Healthy People and Thriving Communities Program, National Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Held on Friday, 09/21/18 as part of the Planning Matters Lecture series in partnership with ULI Memphis.
"Place and Economic Development" Panel Discussion with Maurice Cox, Planning Director for the City of Detroit, Michigan. Held Monday, 8/27/18 in partnership with Community LIFT.
"Practice of Planning & Development through a Black, Urbanist, Southern Lens" with Kristen Jeffers (Baltimore, MD) Founder of The Black Urbanist. Held on Wednesday, 3/28/18 as part of the Planning Matters Lecture series in partnership with ULI Memphis.
"Planning as if People Mattered" with Jeff Tumlin, (Oakland, CA) Principal at Nelson\Nygaard. Held on Tuesday, 9/26/17as part of the Planning Matters Lecture series in partnership with ULI Memphis. Lecture recaps: video or article
The Planning Matters speaker series is generously funded by a grant from the Hyde Family Foundations
Past Events:
"Why Comprehensive Planning is Good For Business"
- with Mitchell Silver, Parks Commissioner for New York City, and Tim Keane, Director of Atlanta's City Planning Department. Held on Wednesday, 2/1/17, the lecture's was held to help prepare Memphians as the city embarked on its first comprehensive plan in almost forty years. Comprehensive planning is a strategic vision for a city's future growth. From educators and students to residents and business owners, planning affects us all. The lecture's guest speakers are experienced planners who have successfully led Comprehensive planning efforts in Raleigh, NC and Charleston, SC.
Edge/Victorian Village Community Meeting
- held on Thursday, 9/8/16, the community meeting sought to engage community members around the public space at Orleans and Madison. Dubbed, "the Edge Triangle Park," engagement centered on enhancing the public space through possible design interventions and developing a connectivity plan for the broader area's parks. In partnership with the City of Memphis Division of Engineering, the meeting served to inform stakeholders of scheduled streetscape improvements and allowed for feedback on the public enhancements corresponding with the changes.Healthy Places Summit: Envisioning a Healthier crosstown
- held on Wednesday, 5/4/16, the Healthy Places Summit hosted a community conversation about our environment's effect on health. Offering a space for a critical observation of the intersects of urban design and public health, the Summit identified and defined design and policy interventions that could improve the safety, health, and quality of life in our places. These interventions focused on how improved walkability in the built environment and the implementation of modes of active transportation can support overall health and quality of life. Dialogue from this initiative served to influence public policy that supports the development of more safe, walkable places within our region, improve public health, and enhance the accessibility of mobility.
Crosstown Community Workshop
- held on Thursday, 4/14/16, This event is meant to be a time for presentation and discussion of work which is being accomplished by the UMDC Studio in conjunction with Memphis Walks partners. The main topic of discussion was walkability, especially as how it relates to health, safety, and the built environment. The Crosstown Community Perception Survey will be presented and participants will be asked to fill it out to help provide knowledge of issues and the area. Existing conditions will be provided and feedback is very much welcome. Livable Memphis will be presenting their walkability toolkit.
Building Healthy Communities - Case Study Presentation
- held on Wednesday, 2/3/16, the event showcased the work of the Spring 2016 UMDC Studio which focused on the theme of building healthy communities. The case studies presented cities and neighborhoods from around the United States and other countries that successfully created healthy communities, often by linking urban design with public policy and other elements of place-making to create thriving, livable neighborhoods which are accessible and open to all.
W2W - Workforce to Work Transportation Summit
- held on Thursday, 12/10/16, the Summit centered on the theme of "Connecting People to Places," and explored ways to expand transportation choices in Memphis. This event was held in conjunction with, "The State of Freight," the annual conference of the UoM's Intermodal Freight Transportation Institute (IFTI). The UMDC's contribution challenged attendees to examine how investments in transit, bicycling, walking, rideshare, and carpooling can help employees access jobs.
Pizza with Planners - hosted by BLDG Memphis
- held on Thursday, 10/15/16, the UMDC presented challenges faced by the Bluff City and initiatives being undertaken to provide creative solutions. Pizza with Planners is BLDG Memphis' ongoing series of free workshops for neighborhood leaders.