Brought to you by Edmonton on the Edge, M.A.D.E. in Edmonton, the University of Alberta (City-Region Studies Centre, Faculty of Extension, External Relations), Edmonton Design Committee-City of Edmonton, ISL Engineering and Land Services. 
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Edmonton on the Edge presents author Peter Newman on June 18, 2009 at 7pm in the Shaw Conference Centre (9797 Jasper Avenue, Salon 4). Peter will be speaking about his new book, RESILIENT CITIES: Responding to Peak Oil and Climate Change. (Doors open at 6:45pm. Admission is free and a reception follows. Cash bar. Musical entertainment by Melissa Majeau.)

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A new approach to urban development needs to be forged that can at the same time enable cities to respond to the deep challenge of decarbonising cities and can use the transition to accelerate the development of what the UN calls the Global Green New Deal. Some hopeful directions will be outlined based on cities from around the world, including cities from down under.
 
Peter Newman is the Professor of Sustainability at Curtin University and is on the Board of Infrastructure Australia that is funding infrastructure for the long term sustainability of Australian cities. He has recently returned from a North American tour promoting his two new books, Resilient Cities: Responding to Peak Oil and Climate Change and Green Urbanism Down Under, both written with Tim Beatley. In 2001-3, Peter directed the production of WA’s Sustainability Strategy in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. It was the first state sustainability strategy in the world. In 2004-5, he was a Sustainability Commissioner in Sydney advising the government on planning issues. In 2006/7, he was a Fulbright Senior Scholar at the University of Virginia Charlottesville where he wrote his new books.
 
In Perth, Peter is best known for his work in saving, reviving and extending the city’s rail system. He invented the term ‘automobile dependence’ to describe how we have created cities where we have to drive everywhere. For 30 years, since he attended Stanford University during the first oil crisis, he has been warning cities about preparing for peak oil. Peter’s book with Jeff Kenworthy, Sustainability and Cities: Overcoming Automobile Dependence was launched in the White House in 1999. He was a Councilor in the City of Fremantle from 1976-80 where he still lives.
 
About Edmonton on the Edge
 
This presentation by Peter Newman has been organized by Edmonton on the Edge, which previously presented Jaime Lerner in the fall of 2008.
 
Edmonton on the Edge is a small group that formed around the question of "what makes a great city?"  The Committee arose out of the University of Alberta’s 2008 Festival of Ideas and its panel discussion on Architecture, Design and Happiness.
 
The overall goal of the Committee is to attract and focus discussion among various constituencies such as local architects, designers, politicians, media and the general public on the cultural, artistic, social and physical attributes that might provide answers to the question "what makes a great city?"  Inviting renowned local, national and international speakers, the Committee will organize presentations and discussions and other similar events that examine, challenge and suggest what it takes to rejuvenate public spaces, and lend support to the city becoming an interesting, vibrant and dynamic place.  Design, architecture, cityscape, landscape, horticulture, arts and culture within the public realm, describe the variety of themes that will guide the Committee’s initiatives.

More info at www.madeinedmonton.org