"Designing the New West"

"Designing the New West: Architecture & Landscape in the Mountain West" will be held April 16-17 at the Gallatin Gateway Inn in Bozeman, Mont.

After just spending four days at a Laramie conference about "Public Art & Community," I'm not anxious to go to another confab so soon. But I heard great things about the previous New West-sponsored conference, so I encourage all you builders and architects and town planners and -- yes -- artists to attend. We're faced with some big challenges in the West. While the word "planning" tends to irritate denizens of the West, we're sunk without it. And we need creative approaches. City and county planners talking to neighboring ranchers. Artists talking to government officials. And Repubs talking to Dems (and vice versa).

Here's info on the conference from the New West web site:

"Designing the New West" features leading architects, developers, land planners and landscape designers from around the Rockies, with the aim of tracking design and development trends, showcasing best practices, and understanding how thoughtful and place-inspired design can help us shape our region in the most positive possible ways.

Thursday, April 16, will feature three pre-conference design charrettes and workshops, with specialists' presentations, discussions and site visits on a green home, a commercial development, and land planning & subdivision design. The day will conclude with a conference opening reception and social.

Friday, April 17, is a full-day program at the Gallatin Gateway Inn with a mix of presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. Highlights include:

• Analysis of the state of the business in the region in light of the broad-based economic slowdown -- and the opportunities presented by the federal economic stimulus program.
• Discussion of creative approaches to sustainability, conservation-based design, and urban infill, including a look at new materials, new methods for project planning and management, and new financing models.
• Presentations on innovative land design, architecture and community development projects from some of the nation’s leading practitioners.
• Lively networking with some of the top design and development professionals from around the region.

"Designing the New West" will also offer continuing education credits for certified planners, real estate agents and engineers.

Register here