Idea Lounge X: The Urban Battle

Where people live has, for centuries, driven economic and cultural progress. It wasn’t until the 20th Century when cheap fuel and the availability of credit prompted suburban growth. Until recently these “bedroom communities” have become the standard of the American Dream. Now that Americans are more conscious about their carbon footprint, and credit is difficult to come by, will our housing habits change? Are we on the brink of a major cultural shift? What will Eau Claire look like in 2025?
Will downtown renewal attract more people than the subdivisions on the outskirts of the city? Why do you choose to live where you do? How far do you commute? Hear what local developers, planners, realtors, and residents have to say about trends in the Chippewa Valley. Chime in on how we can all make our community more sustainable and prepare it for the future.
Get together with your friends and neighbors to have a conversation about this topic. Microphones allow you to hear and be heard. Our featured panelists will break the ice.
All you need to do is show up.

October 28, 2009 at 7 p.m. in the upstairs of Haymarket Grill, 101 Graham Ave, Downtown

Featured panelists:

• Mary Rufledt, Realtor | Haselwander GMAC
• Ted Barr, RDA Board Member | Owner of Barr Electric
• Cody Filipczak, Home Builder | C&M Properties
• Ned Noel, Associate Planner | City of Eau Claire
• Wallace Rogers, Downtown Resident
• Ryan Weichelt, Associate Professor of Geography | UWEC

Background Information:

We have done some research on this topic and found that it has recently gained a lot of popularity in the national media. Here is a link to a Fast Company article called Suburbia R.I.P. http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/michael-cannell/cannell/suburbia-rip

The New York Times also published an article, “All Boarded Up” http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/08/magazine/08Foreclosure-t.html?_r=1

It took us a little bit longer to find articles defending the suburbs and the “American Dream”, but we did find them in the end. Here is a blog posting from Sacramento http://parkwayblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/urbansuburban-both-smart-growth.html

And also an article by Roger Selbert http://www.newgeography.com/content/00300-the-future-suburbs-suburbs-are-future

We are, of course, very interested in your input, thoughts, ideas, and articles you have found, so please let us know.