International conference coming to OKC

Oklahoma City is pleased to host the Congress for the New Urbanism flagship event CNU 30.OKC | Resilient Together March 23-26. This is the first time in two years the organization has met in person to connect, discuss, learn, debate and grow. The conference will attract international attendance from architects, urban designers, engineers, planners, developers, historic preservationists, bankers, small business people, health professionals, government officials and citizens who care about our communities.

CNU is a 501(c)3 with a mission to champion walkable urbanism. The organization provides resources, education and technical assistance to create socially just, economically robust, environmentally resilient and people-centered places. The organization integrates design and social principle to advance three key goals: to diversify neighborhoods, to design for climate change and to legalize walkable places.

Through 27 years of advocacy, CNU has changed the national conversation from a debate over sprawl to a discussion on how to reinvest in our cities and towns. As Americans both young and old are demanding walkable lifestyles, the market for unique and green places is growing everywhere. Oklahoma City is the ideal place to host the conversation this year, as we are making significant progress, identifying areas for improvement and having conversations about how development supports healthy lifestyles. Others come here to learn more about Oklahoma City’s history of determination, overcoming obstacles and investing together.

A big part of the conference is focused on tours. Participants will be taking walking, bus and streetcar tours of key Oklahoma City destinations and neighborhoods: the Oklahoma River, West Village and Film Row, Plaza District, Paseo Arts District, Automobile Alley, Midtown, the Asian District, Classen Ten Penn neighborhood, historic Capitol Hill, Skirvin Hotel, First National Center, Northeast Oklahoma City, the Douglass at Page Woodson, the Wheeler District, Bricktown, Oklahoma City National Memorial and many others.

This is an opportunity for dialogue about public investment, innovation in public-private development structures, excellence in preservation and adaptive reuse and successful cultural and commercial districts. I look forward to hosting international guests in our city as well as seeing attendance from those in our local community who want to add to their knowledge and connections with others.

Registration for CNU 30.OKC | Resilient Together is open now and early bird registration closes on Feb. 15.