Asheville selected as one of three sites for training in collaborative planning processes

Posted on — Virginia Daffron

Press release:

How to Welcome Community Participation in Planning and Design?

National Charrette Institute To Offer Training, Certification in Asheville, May 16-20

In addition to Harvard University and its headquarters in Portland, OR, the National Charrette Institute (NCI) has chosen Asheville for one of three upcoming trainings. The Institute expects participants from the Asheville area and from around the nation, May 16-20, 2016.

The City of Asheville’s Planning and Urban Design and Community and Economic Development Departments are supporting the training by offering a City venue, the U.S. Cellular Center, 87 Haywood Street in Downtown Asheville. Attendees will receive certification in planning, facilitating and managing collaborative planning processes called “charrettes.”

Originating in art and architecture schools as a way to speed projects from idea stages to finished work, the charrette method has been adapted and refined for highly collaborative planning efforts — especially those that are challenging because of their complexity and potential controversy.

“This is an incredible training opportunity,” says Asheville project manager Sage Turner. “I hope to see participants from boards and commissions, neighborhood leaders, planners, developers, city staff, and elected officials. The community is ripe for well-organized engagement and it would be ideal if many area leaders can join together on this.”

The NCI is marketing the training opportunity internationally. Local organizers hope to fill as many seats as possible with planning and design professionals and with citizen leaders from Asheville and nearby communities. Fees for the training begin at $895, however some full and partial scholarships may be available thanks to contributions of local groups and individuals who see advantages in having a core group trained in organizing inclusive planning processes.

Read more about the NCI and its programs here: www.charretteinstitute.org.

And for more information about participating and supporting local participants in the Asheville training, contact volunteer coordinators:

Ben Brown
Principal, PlaceMakers, LLC
www.placemakers.com
ben@placemakers.com
828.508.5002

Sage Turner
Finance & Project Manager
SageSTurner@gmail.com 
828.216.9284

SHARE
About Virginia Daffron
Managing editor, lover of mountains, native of WNC. Follow me @virginiadaffron
View all posts by Virginia Daffron →

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

One thought on “Asheville selected as one of three sites for training in collaborative planning processes”

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.