November 11, 1998

What is a traditional neighborhood? A neo-traditional neighborhood? A transit-oriented neighborhood? Do Americans like sprawl? If they don't, why do developers keep creating it? Are the "New Urbanists" anti-urban? These questions and more will be discussed Nov. 13 at a day-long conference, "New Urbanism and the City," sponsored by DePaul University.

The conference is designed to consider the nature of traditional urban form, post-War patterns of development, the future of urbanism in both historic cities and new settlements, and to critique the theories and built projects of New Urbanists. Open to the public, the conference will be held from 8:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at DePaul ‘s Cortelyou Commons, 2324 N. Fremont St. The format will be a combination of speakers, panels, and small and large group discussion. The conclusions and recommendations will be summarized in a document that will be mailed to all participants.

The program is co-sponsored by the DePaul 's Department of Finance, DePaul’s Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development, Lambda Alpha Foundation, Harris Bank Secondary Mortgage Market Operations, and the Real Estate Investment Association, an organization of real estate professionals in the Chicago region. About 150 people have registered for the luncheon, which features an address by James Howard Kunsler, author of "The Geography of Nowhere" and "Home from Nowhere." About 175 will be attending the entire conference. The list of participants includes presidents and CEOs of major real estate firms, managing partners of architecture firms, Chicago and suburban planning directors, CTA officials, and senior partners at law firms.

Reporters interested in covering the conference should make prior arrangements with Robin Florzak, DePaul Media Relations: 312/362-8592.