The implementation of “Complete Streets” creates opportunities for everyone, regardless of how we choose to get around – by car, bike, transit, or our own two feet and creates an inviting environment for residents, travelers and businesses alike. How can we design streets to promote sustainability, economic development and improve health?
That’s the theme of the Buffalo Complete Streets Summit this evening from 5:30pm – 7:30pm at Asbury Hall (341 Delaware Ave). The event is free and open to the public.
The event will explore why communities across the country — including Buffalo — are adopting ‘complete streets’ policies that direct infrastructure planning and investments to accommodate all modes. Experts say that such policies offer myriad benefits, from improving air and water quality to combating obesity and enhancing economic development.
The conversation will focus on how national best practices can shape the Buffalo streetscape, and will feature the following experts:
– Tavis Dockwiller, an expert in green infrastructure from Viridian Landscape Studio in Philadelphia, PA
– Gail Dorfman, county commissioner of the 3rd district in Hennepin County, MN
– Jeff Olson, a designer and past New York State Pedestrian and Bicycle Program Manager from Alta Planning and Design in Saratoga Springs, NY
– Sam Zimbabwe, a transit and sustainable development advocate from the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) in Washington DC
The panel’s moderators will be Robert G. Shibley, dean of UB’s School of Architecture and Planning and chair of UB’s Environmental Stewardship Committee, and Daniel Robison, reporter from WBFO.
The Complete Streets Summit marks the launch of a new website and marketing campaign to raise the consciousness of the community on and increase the demand for complete streets so that collectively we can establish Buffalo as a prosperous, healthy, environmentally sustainable, and community friendly city.
As an added bonus, there will be a free bicycle valet for those who choose to travel on two wheels.
The evented is presented by GO Bike Buffalo (formally Green Options Buffalo) with funding provided by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) along with Wendel Companies, UB’s Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDeA Center), the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus and Righteous Babe Records. Additional support comes from Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities-Buffalo Partnership, Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper, Joy Kuebler Landscape Architects, and UB’s Civic Engagement and Public Policy Research Initiative.