49th Conference in Portland

49th International
Making Cities Livable Conference on

TRUE URBANISM:
PLANNING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES FOR ALL

& Exhibit on

SUCCESSFUL DESIGNS FOR
HEALTHY INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES

Governor Hotel
Portland, OR
May 20 - 24, 2012

Environmental factors significantly contribute to obesity, chronic physical ill health, social isolation, violence and crime. The way we have built our cities has amplified these problems. This conference will examine the evidence, and focus on ways we can reshape the built environment to increase physical and social health and well-being. The conference will bring together 350-400 delegates - elected officials, practitioners and scholars in planning, public health, urban design, landscape architecture, transportation planning, pediatrics, human development, social sciences, land use development and architecture from around the world.

Dear Friends:

On behalf of the residents of the City of Portland, welcome!

The Rose City is honored and delighted to host the 49th Annual International Making Cities Livable Conference. I am especially pleased to hear this year’s conference theme of Planning Healthy Communities for All. When we talk about the health of our neighborhoods, a focus on equity is crucial. Only by promoting health and well-being for all can we achieve true livability.

Portland is consistently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the United States. We are fortunate to have a wonderful quality of life that includes abundant green spaces, nearby mountains and rivers, and cultural offerings, including a world class symphony and museum, a farm-fresh food movement, outstanding wineries, and of course, our own Portland Trailblazers. Our Saturday Market, which is open most of the year (and on Sundays too), is a showcase for local artisans and handcrafted goods. Farmers markets featuring the freshest produce can be found throughout the metropolitan area.

As Portlanders, we are extremely proud of what our city has to offer both residents and visitors. It is a place of outstanding natural beauty, fascinating and unique culture, a national destination for northwest inspired culinary experiences and strong commercial activities accessible by our nationally renowned transportation system. No matter what activities you choose to pursue during your stay, you’ll find the people of Portland ready to help make your visit as enjoyable as possible. Best wishes for a great meeting and a wonderful visit to our fine city!

Sincerely,

Sam Adams
Mayor, City of Portland, OR
May 20, 2011

On behalf of my colleagues at the Metro Council, I am pleased to welcome you to the Portland metropolitan region for the 49^th International Making Cities Livable Conference.  The Metro Council is responsible for an area encompassing 25 cities and the urban portions of three counties on the Oregon side of the greater Portland metropolitan region.

We are proud of our region’s history, natural environment and the deliberate choices we have made to keep our region one of the most livable in the country. For years the state and region have put an emphasis on smart land use policies and public investments in transportation and other infrastructure to create the underlying conditions for a prosperous and resilient economy while protecting valuable forest and farm land.  These policies and investments strongly correlate with this year’s conference theme of Planning Healthy Communities for All. In planning bike routes and trails, walkable communities, transit oriented development and nature in neighborhoods Metro is helping to create a built environment that promotes health and equity for the region. The success of our region is no accident; our history of intelligent, deliberative governance continues in our work of making the Portland region a great place.

While you’re here, I hope you get a chance to enjoy the many amenities and attractions Portland and the greater region has to offer.

Thanks again for visiting – have a great conference!

Tom Hughes
Metro Council President

Dear Colleagues:

We can make our communities healthy for all – not only for people like ourselves, but for elders and for the young, and for the great diversity of groups in our cities!

Environmental factors significantly contribute to obesity, chronic physical ill health, social isolation, violence and crime. As different as these problems seem, evidence shows that the way we have built our cities has amplified these problems; and when crisis strikes, some groups suffer disproportionately.

Planning solutions are not difficult, and all point in the same direction: compact, walkable, bikable, mixed use neighborhoods, access to nature and healthy food, eyes on the street, places and public events that strengthen community.

This conference will examine the evidence, and focus on ways we can reshape the built environment to increase physical and social health. Exemplary cities, healthy planning models, and community development strategies will be discussed. Awards will be presented for outstanding examples of urban plazas, mixed use, and healthy neighborhood planning.

The conference will bring together 350-400 delegates - elected officials, practitioners and scholars in planning, public health, urban design, landscape architecture, transportation planning, pediatrics, human development, social sciences, land use development and architecture from around the world.

We welcome your participation, to share your achievements, and to learn from others. Join world-renowned experts, national and international leaders dedicated to building healthy inclusive communities. The program will present multi-disciplinary insight and dialogue, Best Practices, tools and strategies in achieving healthy communities for all. The City of Portland, OR and Metro Region will share their experience in making Portland a model healthy, sustainable and livable city and region.

We must act now to adopt healthy, equitable planning practices! Please join us to help guide this process!

Suzanne H. Crowhurst Lennard, Ph.D.(Arch.)
Director, IMCL Council 

The Governor Hotel

The Conference will take place at the Governor Hotel, at 614 SW 11th Avenue. The hotel consists of two fine historic buildings, one of which, with its magnificent renaissance style ballrooms and meeting rooms, was originally built for the Elks Club. The hotel is downtown, at the crossing point of the MAX light rail line from the airport and the streetcar lines.

Please email reservations@governorhotel.com or call 503-802-5802 and ask for “group reservations”. Please mention that you are with the “Making Cities Livable Conference” to receive the conference rates. Reservations must be made through the hotel directly as the toll free line and hotel website are not set up for group reservations.

If the Governor no longer has availability, the Westin Portland Hotel, one block from the Governor, is holding a room block for IMCL participants at the same rates. Call 888-627-8401 and mention the “Making Cities Livable Conference”.

Arriving in Portland

If you fly to Portland International Airport you can catch the MAX light rail directly from the baggage claim area (fare $2.35). In 45 minutes, MAX will take you to within one block of the Governor Hotel. A taxi will take about 25 minutes (fare approx $30).

• 49th IMCL Conference
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