Oxford, AIA hosting sustainable design conference | Environment

The City of Oxford has been selected by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Center for Communities by Design (SDAT) to participate in a Sustainability Design Team Program.

The Oxford Conference on Sustainable Design will Nov. 1 through Nov. 3.

The AIA has assembled an 8-person team of experts who will be conducting a site visit of our community on Monday, Nov. 1. The conference will kick-off with a public town hall meeting on Monday evening, at 5:30 p.m. at the Lyric Theatre in Oxford.

On Tuesday, Nov. 2, the team will host break-out sessions on the following topics:

9 a.m.-10:30 a.m., at Oxford-University Methodist Church Activities Center

• Land Use and Community Planning
• Green Infrastructure and Environment
• Transportation, Bicycle, and Pedestrian Planning

10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., at Oxford-University Methodist Church Activities Center

• Urban Design and Gateways
• Preservation

The conference will conclude on Wednesday evening, Nov. 3 with a public meeting in the City Hall 2nd floor courtroom, at 6:30 p.m., where the AIA will present its “Community Plan Final Presentation” for Oxford.

“We are excited to provide the opportunity to begin a conversation with the citizens of Oxford and its leaders about the possibilities of a sustainable future,” said Tim Akers, Oxford city planner and steering committee member. “We want to thank the AIA for their partnership in facilitating these discussions. The end result, we hope, will be a workable plan to ensure that the future growth of Oxford maintains its charm while promoting a healthy community.”

The conference steering committee asks all community members who are committed to Oxford and its future to participate in the meetings, most importantly the Monday evening town hall meeting and the Tuesday morning break-out sessions. The team feels it is very important that citizens participate to help develop a vision and framework for a sustainable future.

Information provided by City of Oxford.

Photo courtesy Flickr user Wayne National Forest.