The City as Paradise

"The Garden is the paradise of nature, and the City is the paradise of culture. Or at least they could be...," according to Richard Register in his book Ecocity Berkeley.

Please join us for the 9th annual H.O.P.E.S. Eco-Design Arts Conference at the University of Oregon April 10-13th to discuss how our cities can reclaim a natural balance with the earth and become the homes in paradise that they were meant to be.

By 2025, projections show that 75% of the world's population will be living in urban areas. Cities, therefore, hold the true potential for advancing our ability to demonstrate principles of ecological living. Most of the current experiments in sustainable living take place in rural and sometimes remote, off-grid communities.

This year's H.O.P.E.S. conference will advance our collective thinking as we discuss how we move ecological planning and design from the fringe to the urban mainstream.

Our keynote speakers are leading the world in the ecological planning and design dialogue. Representing diverse backgrounds, Stuart Cowan, Lois Arkin, Mark Lakeman, Kathryn McCamant, and Richard Register, will highlight the challenges we face in creating healthy and thriving urban environments. They will also provide concrete solutions and inspiration towards building sustainable urban communities from their own personal journeys.

The panels are divided into three tracks: People, Places, Projects. The "People" track will explore human processes that are necessary for sustainable communities to thrive. Topology panels include Politics of Renewable Energy, Evaluating Sustainability, and The Cohousing Model. "Place" panels focus on systems and techniques, such as Block Planning, Eco-revitalization in Suburbia, Regional Landscape Planning, Greening the Codes, and a Natural Building Showcase. "Projects" include specific examples of sustainable urban communities and their stories, including Eco-City Berkeley, International Eco-Cities, and Sustainable Fairview in Salem, Oregon. A Workshop track includes six opportunities for learning about solar energy, living roofs, alternative fuels, living machines, and natural interior finishes.

In addition to speakers, panels, and demonstrations, the conference will feature a 24-hour design charrette (see The Design Charrette) on sustainable design in the University of Oregon East Campus neighborhood, the film "Visions of Utopia" with a discussion on intentional communities, networking for urban eco-village start-up concepts, two business workshops, a business exposition, kids activities, live music, healthy meals, and many opportunities for fun and networking. The student organizers of the conference sincerely hope you will join us in Eugene the weekend of April 10th-13th to help advance the essential dialogue about urban ecological living.