Student-organized symposium highlights urban planning

The Urban Planning and Policy Student Association presents its annual Urban Innovation Symposium Friday — an entirely student-run event.

The symposium addresses the increase in reverse migration from suburban to urban areas.

The program includes a daytime session from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in 302 Student Center East, as well as a nighttime networking and social event from 7:30 to 11 p.m. at the Den Theater, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave., in Wicker Park.

The symposium allows students in urban planning and other fields to learn from and develop their understanding of urban development issues by learning from the leaders in the field. The event is open to the UIC community.

The student-run program is a remarkable testament to student success and entrepreneurship on campus, said Lindsay Broughel, coordinator of the Urban Innovation Symposium.

“I think it is a unique opportunity for us, as students, to create an event where we can determine who speaks and how the event is structured,” she said.

“It is very exciting to participate in a group of students coming together to further educate ourselves outside of the classroom — and to have a lot of fun doing it. I have become friends with many of my fellow symposium planners and am consistently impressed with their creativity and commitment.”

Daytime events include keynotes speeches from prominent leaders in the field of urban planning.

John Norquist, president and CEO of Congress for New Urbanism, and Douglas Farr, president and CEO of Farr Associates, will lead a discussion about urban repopulation and its consequences for further development.

The symposium will appeal to anyone interested in how cities work and how to improve them. Students in urban planning, public affairs, sociology, political science, geography, architecture, civil engineering and public health may especially benefit from the event, organizers said.

Organizers will have Anna Bachman on their mind during the event. Bachman, a master’s student who was organizing the symposium, died in an accident Jan. 12 while vacationing in San Diego, Calif.

“The symposium meant a lot to Anna and I hope that we will make her proud come Friday,” said Kelly Siegel, vice president of the student group.

All events are open to the public, but RSVP is required.