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 Canada’s 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 “how-to” 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.