Urban Planning

How do water agencies and the industry, in general, better promote a more diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the needs and aspirations of the society it serves? And, how do we ensure that the water sector embraces the values and issues faced by under-represented groups with whom it interacts? Join us for an engaging panel discussion around these issues.

Featured speakers: Joone Kim-Lopez, Marisa Perez-Reyes, Victor Griego and Scott Houston

All social sectors must be involved in the co-creation and implementation of policies aimed at mitigating the devastating effects of climate change. This becomes even more effective if supranational strategies are implemented at a municipal level and the role of ordinary citizens is made a priority.

During the course of this Panel, the acclaimed writer Professor David Feldman will present his latest book to be published in 2022 which explores the challenges entailed in ensuring that successful public engagement efforts enable inclusive representation by focusing on power-sharing and equity. 

Speakers in this session:

DAVID LEWIS FELDMAN, Professor, University of California, Irvine and Director, Water UCI

FLEUR HASSAN, Deputy Mayor, Jerusalem

UTA WEHN, Associate Professor of Water Innovation Studies at IHE DELFT & Adlerbert Visiting Professor of Marine Citizen Science for Sustainable Development at University of Gothenburg

MINNIE JAIN, Director, The Flow Partnership

Dr. KATE BAKER, Research Fellow at the Centre for water Systems at the University of Exeter, Director of Agile Rabbit, and Core Team member of the Social Engagement Platform, United Nations World Water Quality Alliance

You are invited to a briefing about a new report commissioned by Community Change, analyzing IBEW Local 18's pre-craft trainee (UPCT) program that provides important lessons about how to successfully move low-wage workers into stable, high-paying public sector jobs.

In Los Angeles, the program has been hugely successful, with 83% of participants hired into a public sector job at a median hourly wage of $39.15 per hour. Seventy-seven percent of respondents were people of color, all previously unemployed or in low-wage jobs. A number of those hired were previously incarcerated. 

The UPCT program is a cornerstone of the RePower LA coalition's efforts to help make clean energy and good jobs at the LA Department of Water and Power (DWP) accessible to all Angelenos while lowering their utility bills. The program is run by IBEW Local 18, one of the anchor partners of RePower LA, along with SCOPE and LAANE.

The report's findings have big implications. The Biden administration pivots to advancing an infrastructure plan that will seek to create jobs that can be accessible by low-wage workers and the unemployed, including the millions of Black, brown, and immigrant workers who were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The briefing will be held Thursday, April 22, 2021, from 10 am-11:30 am PT/1 pm-2:30 pm ET. 

Mark your calendars now for this two-day event, including a public talk and workshop, to be held this summer at UCI with some of the leading experts on building and implementing coastal resilience!

July 18 - Evening with Gary Griggs, Distinguished Professor of Earth Sciences, UC Santa Cruz, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

July 19 - Workshop, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Workshop Objectives: Participants will leave the workshop with a greater understanding of the landscape of coastal resilience activities across communities. Specifically, participants will gain insight on:

• Lessons learned for planning and implementation at the local and regional levels
• Tools and resources for informing planning decisions
• Green infrastructure solutions to reduce impacts of coastal hazards

Presented by:

• Blue Earth Consultants, a Division of ERG
• Empowering Sustainability
• UCI Oceans
• UCI Newkirk Center for Science and Society
• UCI Social Ecology

View event link at Newkirk Center for Science and Society website.

Join us as students from three middle schools in Irvine present their innovative ideas for improving water conservation in Southern California.  UCI students will be honored for their work and mentorship with these students.  A reception will follow. 
 

AGENDA

Co-hosted by: UCI School of Social Ecology, AIA Orange County, USGBC Orange County, United Nations Association Orange County

A dialogue for all of us: the social, economic, and ecological impacts of smart growth, for a sustainable future. Join us for a full day of connection and collaboration, insights and innovation!

2019 Topics include: Affordable Housing, Transportation, Risk & Resilience, Food Insecurity & Food Waste

• Be inspired with informative presentations by leading researchers, civic leaders and industry trendsetters
• Network across disciplines with community leaders, policy developers, building industry professionals, academic researchers, and other community leaders
• Join the conversation about housing, resilience planning and so much more
• Learn about important sustainability trends in Orange County for Housing, Business, Transportation, and more

Faculty and students (undergraduate or graduate), are encouraged to join us for any portion or all of the programming throughout the day.

Lunch is included with your free registration.

Directions and Parking Information

This information session will provide prospective students with important information about the program, curriculum and how to apply. There will also be time to ask questions of staff members. Please register online.

For more information, contact:
Amira Yousef
MPP Assistant Director
ayousef@uci.edu
Phone: 949-824-4052

During a Nov. 9 information session, learn more about the Master in Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) Program at UC Irvine, now accepting applications for Fall 2018. Professor Jae Hong Kim, MURP Program Director, will provide a program overview and helpful tips and suggestions for the graduate application process. Meet and mingle over light lunch with representatives from MURP program, including staff, current students, and faculty. 

When: Thursday, Nov. 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Room 1517, Social and Behavioral Sciences Gateway, UC Irvine