PN2008 Winnipeg The Planners Network Conference Planning in Challenging Climates

CFP Deadline Extended to May 31, 2008 We have receive numerous requests for an extension to the April 30, 2008 deadline, and have now extended it to May 31, 2008.

PLANNERS NETWORK is an association of professionals, activists, academics, and students involved in physical, social, economic, and environmental planning in urban and rural areas, who promote fundamental change in our political and economic systems.

WINNIPEG and Manitoba have long histories with struggles for social justice. The city was the site of Canada¹s best known general strike in 1919. It played significant roles in the development of the co-operative movement in the mid-twentieth century. This led to the formation of the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) a political party that supported farmers and workers, and called for public health insurance, public housing, and public ownership of major industries. In the early 1960s, with the Canadian Labour Congress, the CCF became the New Democratic Party ­ and Manitoba is currently the only province with an NDP government. There is strong history of community economic development in the city, and it is known for its high rate of volunteerism and its vibrant arts culture.

The region is also known for its long winters. Unfortunately this is not the only challenging climate faced by progressive planners and advocates for social and environmental justice. The pervasive neo-liberal climate has undermined social programs; sprawl has created a climate intolerant to active transportation, and competes with the downtown core for amenities; and the growing aboriginal population struggles to overcome a history of oppression.

CALL FOR PARTICIPATION: PN2008 will bring together an array of planning practitioners, community and economic development professionals, organizers, policy analysts, designers, students and faculty. They will discuss strategies addressing social and environmental justice in challenging climates - including social, political and economic climates.

Topics of interest to the conference include, but are not limited to: models for community economic development € inner city community development € art and the city € planning and aboriginal communities € neighbourhood revitalization € downtown redevelopment € housing and homelessness € promoting active transportation € urban ecology € green buildings and sustainable communities € social impacts of sprawl € heritage planning € progressive planning and the media € age-friendly communities.

A range of session types are encouraged, from conventional panels to participatory workshops and ³how-to² sessions. Please send proposals for individual contributions or full sessions to PN2008Sessions@pnmb.org. The deadline for proposals is April 30, 2008. Space is limited.

Please include the proposed session content, format and a list of potential speakers, panelists or participants.

Additional conference information, including preliminary schedule, accommodations and mobile workshops, is available at <www.pnmb.org>. The web site will be updated regularly as the conference program develops.