Events: Learn how to advocate for better planning policy on Capitol Hill

Activate your advocacy by attending the American Plannning Association’s (APA) 2019 Policy and Advocacy Conference on September 23–25 in Washington, DC. You’ll come away with knowledge and tools to equip you to influence federal and state planning policy.

Day 1 – Monday, September 23
Attend training by expert advocates and get tips on how to influence policy. Acquiring advocacy skills will help you feel confident later as you engage and build relationships with elected officials. That evening, APA and the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy will host the annual Daniel Burnham Forum, where a panel will discuss US Legacy Cities that are pursuing equitable and inclusive development.

Day 2 – Tuesday, September 24
Learn the latest at expert-led sessions on housing affordability and availability, climate resilience, infrastructure, inclusive growth, and other policy issues that make up APA’s Planning for Opportunity Agenda.

Day 3 – Wednesday, September 25
Bring together everything you’ve learned to Planners’ Day on Capitol Hill. Attend a pre-briefing before you head to the Hill and get ready to apply your new knowledge and advocacy skills in meetings with your representatives and senators. You come prepared to share your story; APA will handle scheduling and logistics.

Join APA in September and watch grassroots advocacy come to life! Register today.

Other events from around the region:

Tuesday, August 13

Next stop, Baltimore Penn Station: From 5:30 to 8:30 pm at 11 W Mount Royal Avenue in Baltimore, Maryland, check out the Vision Plan Framework and provide your feedback for Next Stop Baltimore Penn Station. It’s “a joint planning effort underway with the goal of establishing a shared vision with our stakeholders and community for the redevelopment of Baltimore Penn Station and neighboring Amtrak property.” Find more information here.

You can take the blue pill and the red pill, Neo: Ok, so it’s not the Matrix, but that’s good news—you can learn the truth about the machine you already live in while still enjoying all of its life-enhancing pleasures! From 6 to 8 pm at the District Architecture Center (421 7th Street NW), come hear about how “[a]rtificial intelligence and machine learning [AI/ML] are driving a new technological revolution that some experts believe will be more influential than the advent of the internet.

But what is AI/ML? What is the spectrum of machine learning? And how is it changing the way architects lead the design of the built environment? Join [the American Institute of Architect’s] panel of experts that use AI every day and be inspired to learn innovative approaches that can revolutionize the way architects work.” The cost ranges between $10-25 to attend. Register here!

Friday, August 16

Rollin’ down the river, bicycle style: The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) observes that “[i]t’s the nearing the end of summer and somehow, you’re all out of good ideas of things to do! Not to worry, the 2019 Ward 7 Summer Ride Series is in full swing. Ride with us to Yards Park for the Capitol Riverfront for the Friday Night Concert Series!” Find your fellow riders at the River Terrace Park Capital Bikeshare station located at Anacostia Ave & Benning Rd NE, from which you’ll ride 3.5 “mostly flat” miles along the Anacostia River Trail to Yards Park. Get more info here.

Check out more urbanist events at ggwash.org/calendar. Do you have an event you’d like to see featured in the weekly events post? Submit it here!