Sustainability in Public Works Conference merges with 2014 APWA International Public Works Congress and Exposition in Toronto

Kansas City, Mo. — The American Public Works Association (APWA) annual Sustainability in Public Works Conference has merged with the 2014 APWA International Public Works Congress and Exposition taking place in Toronto, Canada, August 17-20, 2014, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. As a result, APWA Congress’ new Sustainability track will feature targeted sessions dedicated to educating attendees on the efficient delivery of infrastructure projects in an environmentally and socially responsible way that ensures the best economic choice in the long term.

New Sustainability Track:

The APWA International Congress’ Sustainability Track will feature 45 total education/activities about Environment/ Sustainability Issues:

• 34 Education Sessions
• Two Roundtable Forums – ISI Envision™ Roundtable, Center for Sustainability Roundtable
• Public Works Stormwater Summit
• Five Workshop/Tours of projects that have sustainability components

· Enwave Deep Lake Water Cooling

· R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant

· Toronto Cycling Infrastructure

· Union Station Revitalization

· Walking…Stepping into the Transportation Mix

• One Classroom Workshop: Climate Risk assessment for Adaptation Planning and
• Implementation
• Closing General Session Speaker: Alex Steffen – “Imagining Communities that Can Save
• the Planet”

“The merger of the two APWA conferences allows more public works professionals to have access to important sustainability issues and solutions, and is reflective of the fact that sustainability traverses all areas of public works — water, roads, transportation, parks, asset management, and emergency management — and should be presented to the broadest possible audience of public works professionals. These sessions are being presented by a variety of APWA Technical Committees and seasoned professionals from both sides of the border, and they reveal the breadth of the role that sustainability plays in our infrastructure, communities, and in in our chosen profession,” said APWA Center for Sustainability Chair, Jennifer Winter, Project Director, at HR Green, Inc.

The new Sustainability Track will also include a Sustainability Pavilion on the Exhibit Floor featuring exhibitors’ innovative tools, products and resources in sustainability. Also featured in the Sustainability Conference track is the Institute of Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) Envision Roundtable Super Session, in which participants will network with Envision users and discuss the applications and uses for the Envision sustainable infrastructure rating system.

Center for Sustainability Roundtable Discussion: Resiliency in Our Communities

As building resilience in our cities has become more of an imperative than an option, public works and others involved in planning, building, and operating infrastructure and public services must help stake out a vision and plan that prepares their city to adapt and respond to a growing set of challenges. Join the Center for Sustainability Leaders and others in the Sustainability Roundtable discussion to identify challenges, solutions, and needed resources. Participants will leave the roundtable better informed of best practices in community resiliency, connected to experts, and with a greater understanding of the resources available through the APWA Center for Sustainability.

For more information about the Sustainability in Public Works track at the upcoming APWA Congress, visit www.apwa.net/Congress/2014/Attendees/Sustainability.