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Sustainable Tennessee Regional Opportunity Forum-West Tennessee

Download the Post-Forum Summary and Recommendations
or read the Summary and Recommendations online

Questions? E-mail Forum Organizers at sustainablewesttn@gmail.com

September 19-20, 2008

The Sustainable Tennessee Regional Opportunity Forum (West Tennessee) gives voice to the emerging need for a comprehensive and sustainable approach to protecting and restoring our natural resources while enhancing the quality of life in our region. This Forum will include a unique combination of interactive seminars, presentations and discussions designed to explore and encourage strategic approaches to sustainability throughout West Tennessee.

Outcomes from this Forum and those held in East and Middle Tennessee will contribute to a state-wide sustainability plan that promotes economic development, equitable prosperity and responsible environmental stewardship.

On Friday, prominent author and practitioner Doug Farr will offer Sustainable Urbanism: Advanced Techniques and Metrics, a day-long interactive seminar on sustainable urbanism. Sub-topics include:

• Overview of sustainable urbanism
• Tools and techniques necessary for implementation
• Thresholds and metrics that define sustainable urbanism
• Global case studies that exemplify sustainable urbanism

Farr's seminar will include participant evaluation of 5 regional real estate development projects selected by the Memphis Regional Design Center that represent small urban development, large-scale urban development, urban redevelopment, greenfield development and rural development. The projects will be evaluated according to LEED-ND standards.

The Saturday morning session will include a series of speakers presenting examples of sustainability plans from national, state, regional and county perspectives. Saturday afternoon will feature breakout sessions in the 4 Sustainable Tennessee topic areas:

• Healthy Communities
• Natural Infrastructure
• Renewable and Alternative Energy
• Sustainable Design and Development

Regional issues will be developed in these focus areas and participants will vote to rank the 10 most pressing regional priorities.

The West Tennessee Regional Opportunity Forum is presented in conjunction with Sustainable Tennessee co-organizers Tennessee Environmental Council and

Tennessee Conservation Voters