On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), GACC South is organizing a virtual Motion Speaker Series on the topic of "Socially-Oriented Transit Development" as part of the Transatlantic Program „Motion(less): A Transatlantic Dialogue on Movement, Space & Lifestyle“ 2021-2022.
This virtual Motion Speaker Series is designed for knowledgeable stakeholders from urban and transportation planning, local government, academia and other sectors of society from both sides of the Atlantic. During this event, German expert speakers from the focus regions, Hamburg and Bremen, are offered the opportunity to travel virtually to the cities of Charlotte and Raleigh. They will get to experience projects and initiatives first-hand, as well as discussions with local experts and stakeholders.
The Transatlantic Program is funded by the Federal Republic of Germany with funds from the European Recovery Program (ERP) of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).
More about Transit-Oriented Development (TOD):
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) is considered a planning method for reconciling space and mobility. The goal is to create social balance through sustainable communities that are walkable, bike friendly, and centered around high quality public transportation systems that are accessible, affordable and reliable. TOD also provides solutions to the increasing problems of climate change by creating dense and interconnected communities that reduce car dependency and high energy consumption. More green spaces and the reduction of CO2 emissions leads to a demonstrably healthier city, better quality of life, and thus a higher standard of living.
Ensuring a more balanced society through better public transit connectivity is increasingly coming into focus. In the wake of COVID-19's impact, better access to public health infrastructure and other quality-of-life amenities, in particular, are more needed than ever.
Speakers:
Moderator
Leta F. Huntsinger
Associate Director, ITRE | Professor of the Practice, City and Regional Planning UNC-CH, Institute for Transportation Research and Education, NC State University
Raleigh, NC:
Jay Heikes
Senior Transportation Planner, GoTriangle
Pat Young
Director of Planning and Development, City of Raleigh
Charlotte, NC:
John Howard
Transportation Planner at Charlotte Area Transit System
Eric Zaverl
Urban Design Specialist, Sustain Charlotte
Hamburg, Germany:
Kirsten Pfaue
Head of the Mobility Transition Coordination Unit within the Ministry of Transport and Mobility Transition of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg
Bremen, Germany:
Prof. Ulrike Mansfeld
Dean, Faculty of Architecture, Building and Environment, Bremen University of Applied Sciences