CNU's long-awaited book, Charter of the New Urbanism,

CNU's long-awaited book, Charter of the New Urbanism, will be available in time for Christmas. This book is a collection of essays and commentary by 35 leading new urbanist thinkers. Each writer starts with a sentence from CNU's 1994 Charter and expands upon it, developing a stirring essay. Topics range from the practice of writing regional plans to the theory of New Urban aesthetics. The illustrated 200-page volume is available in bookstores or from CNU for $49.95. he Surdna Foundation is renewing its funding to continue CNU's efforts to reform development finance practices and to team up with like-minded regional activist groups. The local groups will provide grassroots networks while CNU will provide expertise, strategic planning, and communications. There are new faces in the CNU office. Sarah Pulleyblank oversees task forces and is organizing the 2000 Congress. Steven Bodzin handles membership issues and media contacts. Thanks and best of luck to Jennifer Hock and Josh Switzky. “Urbanisms: New and Other” is the title of the third New Urbanism academic conference, to be held February 25 to 27, 2000, at the University of California at Berkeley College of Environmental Design. For more information on this all-star event, call the dean's office at Berkeley: (510) 642-0831. CNU and the Urban Land Institute will be cohosting a training conference, “Developing New Urban Communities,” for developers, public officials, and planners, April 10-12, 2000, in Orlando, Florida. Contact ULI at (202) 624-7000; www.uli.org.