The Mid-South Planning & Zoning Institute

The Mid-South Planning & Zoning Institute presents a day-long conference each year for citizen leaders, elected officials, planning commissioners, zoning boards, and planning professionals. The purpose of this conference is to facilitate a better understanding of critical issues in land use planning and policy. Nationally recognized experts form the faculty of the conference and explore critical issues in planning the future of neighborhoods, towns, cities, counties, and regions in the Mid-South.

2011 Conference

Building More Vibrant and Sustainable Communities through Participatory Planning and Design

Friday, May 20, 2011

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
University Center
The University of Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee

This year's Mid-South Planning and Zoning Institute will take place in conjunction with the 2011 Planners Network International Conference, which will attract a wide range of community activists, professional planners, elected officials, and planning scholars from around the country and the world.

The Mid-South Planning and Zoning Institute will take place on May 20, with a special set of sessions designed for local practitioners, officials, and activists. In addition, all those attending the Mid-South Planning and Zoning Institute will be able to participate in the other panel sessions and events being offered as part of the Planners Network Conference on Friday, May 20.

This year's program will end with an evening of outstanding food, music, and culture at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music in South Memphis.

2011 Mid-South Planning and Zoning Institute Program

Mid-South Planning and Zoning Institute Registration

Past Conferences

2010: Growing Greener: A Prosperous Shift with Sustainable Planning and Economic Development [program]

Phillip Thompson, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Urban Studies and Planning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Karen Hundt, Director of Planning, Chattanooga, TN
Ron Littlefield, Mayor, City of Chattanooga, TN

2009: Promoting Economic Development in Rural Areas and Small Towns during Tough Times: Lessons from the Field

Mark Peterson, Ph.D., Community and Economic Development Division, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas
Robert Barber, Planning Director, City of Hernando, MS
Max Hipp, Director of Economic Development, City of Oxford, MS
Mayor David W. Gordon, City of Covington, TN
Bridget Jones, Cumberland Region Tomorrow
Tom Low, Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company
Bob Pickney, Adenus Technologies
Otto Loewer, University of Arkansas Economic Development Institute

2008: Promoting Community Revitalization through Participatory Planning and Collaborative Action [program]

Avis Vidal, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Wayne State University
Rafael E. Cestero, Senior Vice-President, Chief Program Officer, Enterprise Community Partnership
Kirk A. Goodrich, Founder of Maverick Developers LLC, Former Managing Director of Enterprise Social Investment Corporation

2007: Child Friendly Cities [program]

Louise Chawla, PhD, University of Colorado, Children, Youth and Environments Center for Research and Design
Andrew L. Dannenberg, MD, MPH, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Reid Ewing, PhD, National Center for Smart Growth, University of Maryland
Mary Filardo, Executive Director, 21st Century School Funds

2006: Earth, Wind and Fire: Creating and Maintaining Safer Cities and Regions [program]

Dr. Arlene Hill
U of M Panel:
- Dr. Joy Clay, Public Administration
- Mr. Richard Janikoski, Criminology and Criminal Justice
- Dr. Christine Powell, Earthquake Center
- Dr. Brian Waldron, Groundwater Institute
Dr. Ann-Margaret Esnard
Marya Morris (May mini-conference)

2005: Connecting Communities