On February 1st through the 3rd, a team of experts from around the country will come to Providence for three days of charrettes, workshops, and community meetings to explore how Providence’s infrastructure, buildings, and neighborhoods can prepare for the impacts climate change. Join Mayor Jorge Elorza and the Office of Sustainability February 1st at 6 PM for a community workshop, and February 3rd at 6 PM for the final presentation.
“Being resilient means that Providence can recover quickly, adapt, and grow no matter what challenges we may face,” said Mayor Jorge Elorza. “From rising sea levels to more extreme weather, we must ensure that our city is prepared to face a changing climate.”
The Office of Sustainability has invited hundreds of stakeholders to participate in various events over the course of the three days. Residents and other community members are encouraged to participate in the evening workshop on the 1st, which will be held at Providence Career and Technical Academy, and the final presentation on the 3rd, which will be held at 444 Westminster St. Both events are at 6 PM.
“Diverse public participation is a critical component of creating a more resilient city,” said Leah Bamberger, Director of Sustainability. “Often times our most vulnerable populations–the sick, the elderly, and the poor–face the greatest challenges posed by a changing climate and environmental degradation.”
In addition to the community workshop and final presentation, there will be stakeholder sessions focused on infrastructure, buildings and development, and community resilience on Monday, February 1st at 2 PM at City Hall.
There are also numerous opportunities for students, professionals, and community members to volunteer.
The visiting team of experts will include the following individuals:
- Wayne Feiden, FAICP, Director of Planning and Sustainability, City of Northampton, MA
- Tracy Morgenstern, Climate Program Manager, City of Seattle
- Brian Swett, Director of Cities and Sustainable Real Estate, ARUP, Boston
- Richard Roark, RLA, ASLA, LEED® AP BD+C, The Olin Studio, Philadelphia
- Rishi Nandi, AIA, Payette, Boston
The Resilient PVD Lab the result of a grant awarded to the City of Providence sponsored by the American Institute of Architects (AIS) and the New England Municipal Sustainability Network’s Design And Resilient Team (DART) program.