Environmental Programs

High Tunnels:
A Sustainable Solution for Local Urban Agriculture

Wednesday, February 15, 2012
(An Urban Sustainability Forum)

Networking Reception: 6:00–6:30 pm
Program: 6:30–8:30 pm

Register at hightunnels.eventbrite.com/

At this Urban Sustainability Forum, find out how high tunnels could help improve access to affordable, nutritious foods in Philadelphia. High tunnels are nonelectric, temporary structures that consist of a layer of plastic over a pipe frame. These structures, however, are not greenhouses. They do not require a permanent heating or ventilation system, ventilation is accomplished manually, and there are no furnaces or fans. High tunnels can extend the growing season and improve the yield and quality of vegetables, small fruits, and cut flowers.

Urban farming is a fast-growing movement in the United States, especially in Philadelphia. As more than 86 percent of the U.S. population now resides in or around urban areas, the sustained use of urban farming could contribute to food security, food safety, and workforce development. Increased availability of fresh and nutritious food in urban areas could combat the alarming rise of obesity and thus reduce related healthcare costs in the United States. High tunnel projects could help eliminate Philadelphi’s “food deserts,” or urban areas lacking access to nutritious, affordable food, and provide more fresh and nutritious specialty crops to underserved populations.

URBAN VOIDS: grounds for change will be on sale during this program. This book illustrates the innovative community engagement process and the international ideas competition that challenged residents and designers to imagine sustainable re-purposing of its vacant lands. Featuring essays by key participants and an illustrated gallery of competition finalists, URBAN VOIDS offers inspiration for Philadelphia’s future.

To find out more about efforts to use vacant land in productive, innovative and healthy ways, see www.gfcactivatingland.org.

Reimagining Urban Highways

Thursday, February 23, 2012
(A Town Square Program)

Networking Reception: 6:00–6:30 pm
Program: 6:30–8:30 pm

Register at urbanhighways.eventbrite.com/

After decades of disinvestment, many American cities are rebounding and growing their cultural, economic, and environmental assets. Despite their renewal, cities such as Philadelphia, New York, New Orleans, and St. Louis are saddled with highways located in their increasingly popular downtowns.

How should cities change highways to meet 21st-century needs and contemporary urban lifestyles? This panel discussion will look at successful urban highway removal projects in Milwaukee, New Haven, and Providence and explore ways of mitigating highways in Philadelphia and the Bronx.

Featuring:

• Aaron Naparstek (moderator), Loeb Fellow, Graduate School of Design, Harvard University; Streetsblog
• Ashwin Balakrishnan, Southern Bronx River Watershed Alliance
• Thomas Deller, Director of Planning + Development, City of Providence, Rhode Island
• Diana Lind, Next American City
• Peter Park, Loeb Fellow, Graduate School of Design, Harvard University

Tracking Energy Use for Condos and Co-ops

Wednesday, March 14, 2012
(A Town Square Program)

Networking Reception: 6:00–6:30 pm
Program: 6:30–8:30 pm

Register at energyuse.eventbrite.com

The city of Philadelphia is considering requiring building owners to record and report their buildings’ energy usage annually to measure progress of citywide energy-reduction efforts. Condo and co-op owners and managers are invited to learn how this requirement would apply to their buildings and what tools are available to track and reduce energy use and associated costs.

Speakers:

• Andrew Kreider and Emily Linn, EPA Regional Energy Star Program Managers
  “Tracking the Energy Performance of Condo Buildings to Improve Efficiency and Save Money”
• Will Graupner, hpeLEED and Travis Peyton, hpeGROUP
  (Mr. Graupner has performed more than 80 Energy Star building reviews in 2011.)
• Griff Miller, 2601 Board Member
  “One Condo’s Experience With Using Portfolio Manager to Track Energy Usage”

Presented by The Green Condo/Co-op Initiative and supported by the Center for Environmental Policy at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University; Community Association Institute; Rittenhouse Square Community Coalition; and CAMCO Management.