The first annual ‘Conference On Sustainable Real Estate’ will be held at the University of Memphis campus from March 24- 26, 2011.

The theme of the first conference is "Memphis: Global Hub City." In the course of the conference, attendees will learn about opportunities for Western Tennessee, and obligations that must be met to achieve those opportunities. How does Sustainable Real Estate practices benefit investors, developers, the economy, and provide jobs?

High carbon emissions can change weather patterns at local, national, and global geographic scales. Energy prices are volatile. Both increase risk of investment and risk for sustaining life as we know it. Contrary to most thinking, automobiles are not the culprits responsible for the highest energy consumption and carbon emissions. Instead, the single largest consumer of energy and producer of carbon emissions are buildings. Thus, sustainable real estate must include construction and architecture standards that directly and indirectly reduce carbon emissions and energy needs.

Therefore, Sustainable Real Estate includes efficient geographic patterns of land use. Land use plans that promote optimal densification in the right locations, and ruralism at the right locations. People then have sustainable choice of their own habitat.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards, that many in the public and private sectors have adopted to achieve the objectives of Sustainable Real Estate, include building construction and architectural design standards. LEED standards also include determinants of the best land use and land use density in the geographic context of what is where, nearby and distant. The COSRE will offer a track on LEED development targeted at both those who presently hold LEED designations, and those who are new to LEED.

COSRE Schedule

March 24, evening kickoff dinner of the COSRE cosponsored with the Economics Club of Memphis. Keynote speaker TBA

March 25, full day multiple track educational sessions on

• Economic base, Memphis the global Hub City
• LEED
• Sustainable Commercial Real Estate Decisions
• Green Energy - Alternative Energy Sources
• The psychology of sustainable development

March 26, half or full day tours of Memphis. This day is of particular value to out of town guests, and those who are new to Memphis.

Sponsorship of the COSRE has been provided by the Martha and Robert Fogelman Family Chair of Excellence in Sustainable Real Estate fund. The fund was established with a gift from the Martha and Robert Fogelman Family to the University of Memphis in Spring of 2010. Dr. Grant Ian Thrall is visiting holder of the Chair of Excellence Professorship and is lead organizer of the conference.

For more information see the COSRE website

To be added to the COSRE email list, visit the above site or email list@ConferenceOnSustainableRealEstate.com

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