On September 27, nearly 5 miles of Atlanta streets will be liberated from cars and given over to human-powered amusement. Tens of thousands of people will experience the unparalleled energy of Atlanta Streets Alive. Will you be one of them?
Join us at the 2015 National Open Streets Summit and be part of one of the country's most successful initiatives.
Organized by the Open Streets Project — a partnership of the Alliance and The Street Plans Collaborative — the Summit will focus on the theme of "Connecting People & Healthy Places." With unique content for both new and experienced organizers, this event will provide information and inspiration for initiatives at all stages and sizes.
Still on the fence? Here are 10 reasons you can't miss the #OpenStreets15 Summit.
Sign up today; registration closes this Friday, September 4!
1) Be inspired by international visionaries
8 80 Cities Co-Founder and former parks commissioner for the city of Bogota, Gil Penalosa, will deliver one of the Summit’s plenaries. He’ll discuss the importance and impact of closing streets to cars and giving the pavement back to the people and provide an overview of inspiring trends emerging within the Open Streets movement. Read our interview with him here.
2) Learn from local trailblazers
Organizers with CicLAvia, the nonprofit that has produced Los Angeles’s multi-cultural and hugely popular Open Streets programming since 2010, will present the story of the organization and its role in the partnerships that have led to major active transportation policy shifts in recent times.
3) Integrate equity and inclusion into your initiative
For the New Brunswick Ciclovia (NBC), equity isn’t just a consideration — it’s been at the center of the initiative. In a community that is nearly half Spanish-speaking and where health disparities are prevalent among its residents, NBC’s mission is “to promote active living for the entire community through open and car-free streets.” Leaders from Pittsburgh, Tucson and Minneapolis will also discuss how they're creating "Streets for All."
4) Cash in on funding advice
Get insights, trends, and lessons learned from some of philanthropy’s biggest Open Streets financial supporters, and the seven habits of highly effective crowdfunding from ioby.
5) Hone your tactical urbanism
From pilots and programming to permanent change, learn how agencies are utilizing Open Streets and tactical urbanism to test ideas for successful implementation and policy change. Speakers from the Atlanta Regional Commission and The Street Plans Collaborative will address initial agency challenges and concerns — and relay the outcomes and change that has occurred since adoption.
6) Add to your toolbox
8 80 Cities has developed a comprehensive toolkit to assist communities, of all shapes and sizes, in developing robust health-focused Open Streets programs. Get schooled on the dynamic toolkit’s contents.
7) Expand your horizons
Open Streets is a truly global movement, with a particularly strong base of experience in Central and South America. Discover best practices from leading cities outside of the United States.
8) Create YOUR roadmap to success
Increasing the frequency and participation of Open Streets programs requires planning and a sustainability plan. Take advantage of a guided workshop from Street Plans Collaborative that will give you the chance to develop a roadmap for success in your local efforts.
9) Go behind the scenes
Get out into the community on a walking tour of the Atlanta Streets Alive route or pedal the city's transformation on a ride with Civil Bikes.
10) Experience Atlanta Streets Alive
Atlanta has emerged as the model city for open streets programming with attendance well over 100,000 people at Atlanta Streets Alive. At the Open Streets Summit you won't just hear from leaders who will discuss the trajectory and rise of the successful partnerships and programming currently in place. You'll also have the chance to experience the magic yourself at the event on September 27.
