Urban Innovation Symposium
Chicago's leading planners—in one room.
UPPSA's annual Urban Innovation Symposium showcases planning knowledge from across the Chicago region. During the daytime session, professionals from around the region provide insight into cutting-edge ideas through deep dive lectures and panelist discussions. At the evening event, urban professionals deliver discussions and presentations in a more casual environment. This informal atmosphere encourages attendees to get to know each other and network while enjoying food and drink. Free and open to the public.

The 2019 Urban Innovation Symposium will return to its roots by focusing on collaborative creativity to solve a plethora of problems challenging the urban environment. The format will include expert deep dive lectures on specific topics as well as standard panel discussions to deliberate with experts and innovators within their respective fields. The discussions will touch on Claiming Spaces: The Role of Public Art as Place-maker; The Language of Environmental Justice; Future of Co-ops; Zoning, Land-use, & Affordable Housing; Neighborhoods & Sustainable Design; and Transportation Equity. Don't miss this opportunity to explore perspectives different from your own, and come away with renewed energy for conversation and collaboration!
FREE TO ATTEND - Register here!
5 CM credits with APA IL
Get the latest Symposium news on Facebook
Questions? Contact Hannah Bader at hbader4@uic.edu
FRIDAY JANUARY 25, 2019
DAY SESSION:
11:15am - 3:15pm
UIC Student Center East Room 329
750 S Halsted St
9th Annual Urban Innovation Symposium
EVENING SESSION:
4:30pm - 9:45pm
National Museum of Mexican Art
1852 W 19th St
Program
Day Session - UIC Student Center East
11:15 - 12:00pm Check-in and Food
12:00 - 12:05pm Welcoming Remarks
12:05 - 12:45pm Opening Keynote
12:45 - 1:45pm Panel #1: Zoning, Land-Use & Affordable Housing
(Cardinal Room)
Deep Dive #1: Neighborhoods & Sustainable Design
(White Oak Room)
1:45 -2:00pm Break
2:00 - 3:00pm Panel #2: Claiming Spaces - The Role of Public Art as
Place-Maker (Cardinal Room)
Deep Dive #2: Transportation Equity (White Oak Room)
Evening Session - National Museum of Mexican Art
4:30 - 5:30pm Check-in and Food
5:30 - 5:45pm Evening Remarks
5:45 - 6:45pm Panel #1: The Future of Co-ops
6:45 - 7:00pm Break
7:00 - 8:00pm Panel #2: The Language of Environmental Justice
8:00 - 8:10pm Break
8:10 - 9:10pm Closing Keynote
9:10 - 9:45pm Networking
Day Session

Kevin Peralta
MUPP
Master of Ceremonies (MC)

James Harris
Land Use Planner
Cook County
Panelist: Zoning

Angela Larsen
Community Planning Director
Alliance for the Great Lakes
Panelist: Zoning

Sydney VanKuren
Sustainable Urbanism Program Coordinator
Farr Associates
Presenter: Sustainable Design

Chris Devins
Urban Planner/Artist
Chris Devins Creative
Panelist: Claiming Spaces

Janet Smith
Professor
University of Illinois, Chicago
Moderator: Claiming Spaces

Amara Enyia
Director
Austin Chamber of Commerce
Opening Keynote

Alden Loury
Senior Editor - Race, Class, Communities
WBEZ
Panelist: Zoning

Phil Ashton
Professor
University of Illinois, Chicago
Moderator: Zoning

Tonika Johnson
Photographer/ Visual Artist
Tonika Johnson Photography
Panelist: Claiming Spaces

Andy Bellomo
Artist
Street Glass Productions
Panelist: Claiming Spaces

Jim Merrell
Advocacy Director
Active Transportation Alliance
Presenter: Transportation
Evening Session

Gregory Berlowitz
Founder
Chicago Market - A Community Co-op
Panelist: Co-ops

John McMicken
CEO
Evergreen Cooperative
Panelist: Co-ops

Kim Wasserman
Executive Director
LVEJO
Panelist: Environmental Justice

Neringa Valkiunas
Stop Sterigenics Representative
Panelist: Environmental Justice

Dr. H. Peter Steeves
Director of Humanities Center
DePaul University
Closing Keynote

Janette Robles
New Era Windows
Panelist: Co-ops

Stacey Sutton
Professor
University of Illinois, Chicago
Moderator: Co-ops

Naomi Davis
Founder
Blacks in Green
Panelist: Environmental Justice

Moira Zellner
Professor
University of Illinois, Chicago
Moderator: Environmental Justice

Danielle Meijer
Adjunct Instructor, DePaul University
Artistic Director, Aleph World Fusion Dance
Closing Keynote
A special thank you to our 2019 Urban Innovation Symposium Sponsors

Planned with the help of our 2019 Urban Innovation Symposium Committee
Andrew Brown, Symposium Co-Coordinator
Benito Garcia
Becky Lyons
Sandy Koo, Symposium Co-Coordinator
Alex Koerner
Jen Jenkins
Hannah Bader, Symposium Co-Coordinator
Janet Smith, Symposium Faculty Sponsor Hunter Gillaspie

2013 Symposium

2012 Symposium


2011 Symposium
