Tuesday, August 3, 2010, from 6:00 to 9:30 PM
at MassDevelopment Offices, 33 Andrews Parkway, Conference Room 1, Devens, MA

This workshop will focus on practical ways of reclaiming existing commercial corridors characterized by visual blight, traffic congestion and higher accident rates. Multiple strategies blending the twin disciplines of Conservation Design and New Urbanism are discussed for rebuilding these corridors, gradually increasing their functionality and attractiveness. These strategies offer significant opportunities for commercial and mixed-use redevelopment, particularly in areas with existing infrastructure, thereby increasing the viability of businesses, service providers, and current /future public transit lines.

This workshop features a digital slideshow illustrating progressive approaches to transforming commercial corridors, emphasizing multi-story mixed-use buildings, affordable housing, public transit possibilities, shade tree planting, design standards, signage, native landscaping, improved circulation patterns, parking lot orientation, stormwater infiltra-tion/recharge, night sky protection, and solar features. This topic will be of interest to all who stand to benefit from the redevelopment and adaptive reuse of aging highway commercial corridors into multi-use centers for the 21st century. Material presented is largely drawn from Randall’s newest book, Envisioning Better Communities: Seeing More Options, Making Wiser Choices, published by APA Planners’ Press.

Randall Arendt is a landscape planner, site designer, author, lecturer, and an advocate of “conservation planning”. In 2003, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Town Planning Institute in London. In 2004 he was named an Honorary Member of the American Society of Landscape Architects, and in 2005 he received the American Institute of Architects’ Award for Collaborative Achievement. Mr. Arendt is the author of more than 20 publications.

This workshop is co-sponsored by Nashua River Watershed Association, Montachusett Regional Planning Commission, Devens Enterprise Commission, Mass. Chapter of the US Green Building Council, Boston Society of Architects, MassDevelopment, and Mass. Chapter of the American Planning Association.

Seating is limited to 60 persons, so register early!

Registration fee: $30.00 (please make checks payable to Nashua River Watershed Association). Registration Deadline: July 27, 2010.

To register for this workshop, please mail your check along with your name, organization you represent, address, phone, and e-mail address to the NRWA at 592 Main Street, Groton, MA 01450. You may also register by e-mailing the same contact information to Mark Archambault, and send your check by mail.

*Program pending approval for 3 AIA continuing education learning units and has received 3.0 APA certification maintenance credits.