NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
July 3, 2003

NATIONAL PLANNERS CONFERENCE TO TACKLE VITAL URBAN AND SOCIAL ISSUES

HALIFAX, N.S. - Some 400 planning professionals and municipal decision-makers from across Canada will gather at the World Trade and Convention Centre, in Halifax, from July 6 to 9, 2003, to discuss the future development of our cities and communities, including such topics as transportation, urban design, infrastructure, and the protection of green spaces and natural environments.

The conference, "2003: Building Communities", is being held jointly by the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) and the Atlantic Planners Institute (API). Sessions will focus on four sub-themes: Building Capacity, Building Character, Building Connections, and Building Infrastructure. The event will be attended by urban designers, municipal managers, land use planners, land developers, natural resource managers, academics, and planning students.

"The theme of this year's conference asks planners to critically examine their role and Canada’s progress in building communities that work,” says CIP President David Palubeski, MCIP. “Community building requires understanding of peoples’ needs and finding ways to engage the public, business and government leaders in the preparation of community visions and actions that respond to changing social, economic and environmental forces that impact our communities’ quality of life.”

“API is very pleased to co-host the 2003 conference.” says API President Alex Forbes, MCIP. “The program features a wide range of thought-provoking sessions and promises to stimulate a healthy exchange of ideas, experiences and challenges current in the planning profession."

Highlighting the program will be keynote presentations by:
•Judith Maxwell, President and Founder of Canadian Policy Research Networks;
•Judy Sgro, MP, Chair, Prime Minister’s Caucus Task Force on Urban Issues; and
•Peter Marcuse, Professor of Urban Planning, Graduate School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation, Columbia University.

The Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) is the national professional institute and certification body for some 5,800 professional planners across Canada. In conjunction with its provincial and regional affiliate institutes across the country, CIP sets training, certification, and best practice standards for the planning profession in Canada, and offers many other membership benefits and services.

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For more information, contact:
Kimberly McCarthy-Kearney
Program Coordinator, Communications
Canadian Institute of Planners
Phone: 613-237-7526 / 800-207-2138
Fax: 613-237-7045 / e-mail: mccarthykk@cip-icu.ca

View CIP conference highlights at:
www.cip-icu.ca/english/aboutcip/media.htm

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