A Tradition is Born: The FAU Second Wednesday Lecture Series

By Bill Nemser and Dr. Jaap Vos

The Wednesday Lecture Series continues to grow in popularity

Renowned planning theorist Michael Brooks spoke of a “disconnect” between the “practicing planner” and the “planning academia” and the need to build a bridge over the gap between the two.

The Florida Atlantic University Department of Urban and Regional Planning (DURP) is ensuring that attendees of its Second Wednesday Lecture Series frequently visit both sides of that bridge.

Co-sponsored by the Florida Atlantic Planning Society (FAPS), The Second Wednesday Lecture Series has grown exponentially in the last few years. The monthly event has become a hot ticket attracting not only DURP students and faculty, but also members from all facets of the professional planning community. In a new, added benefit, more and more of the general public have been turning up to hear about the wide range of topics discussed.

The prime objective of the lecture series committee is to enhance the academic value to the university while strengthening the relationship with the planning profession outside of FAU - it seems that the goal is being met.

The coordinated efforts of students, faculty, as well as the Broward Section of FAPA, have led to an impressive scheduling of exciting guest lecturers. This has resulted in the Second Wednesday Lecture Series evolving into one of the most anticipated events at FAU’s Downtown Fort Lauderdale campus and -so it seems- all around. The lectures have all been video taped and are being archived for future use and reference.

Guest lecturers have come from all over the planning spectrum. This has allowed students to learn about the myriad of specialties available to them in the planning field after graduation. Some names from the recent guest list:

Roger Dejarlais, Broward County Administrator accepts his certificate of appreciation from DURP

• Paul Dorling - Director of Delray Beach Planning and Zoning Department. The rebirth of Delray Beach has been astounding and Mr. Dorling has played a very significant role in twice making Delray Beach recognized as an All-America City.
• Chris Wren – Executive Director of the Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority. The DDA is a redevelopment agency, a marketing organization, and a coordinator and facilitator among various private and governmental entities involved in and with the Downtown area.
• Bernard Zyscovich – Renowned architect whose urban design work includes Miami Beach, the Florida East Coast Corridor Urban Study and Master Plan in downtown Miami; the Buena Vista Yards Master Plan and many more world-class projects.
• Lisa Maxwell - the Director of Redevelopment-South Florida for the Lennar Corporation.
• Roger Desjarlais - Broward County Administrator. Mr. Desjarlais is the Chief Executive Officer of Broward County Government and directs the functions of the Broward County Government.
• J. Gary Rogers - Community Redevelopment Administrator City of Lauderdale Lakes. Mr. Rogers’s cutting-edge work involves the State Road 7/441 Corridor and the creation of a Downtown for Lauderdale Lakes.
• Brian Lewis – Conservation Co-Chair Sierra Club of Broward County who discussed the unique environmental challenges Broward County faces as it approaches “build out” condition.
• Jaime Correa – Of Jamie Correa and Associates. Mr. Correa is one of the most respected authorities in the fields of both architecture and town design. He is one of the initiators of the New Urbanism movement in the United States.
• Earl R. Hahn – Director, City of Lauderhill Planning and Zoning Department. Presented the city’s creative approach to economic development and meeting the needs of its diverse population.
• Dr. Tom Kazo – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) 2003 Environmental Hero of the Year and coordinator of Project Baitfish which involved the successful restoration of Matheson Hammock, a unique mangrove system in Miami-Dade County.
• Lorna Jordan - Project Leader of the Broward County Park Bond Public Art Projects. Ms. Jordan leads a selected team of environmental artists to create a master plan for this major environmental, public and social space project.
• Richard D. Zipes – President of Omni Funding Corporation, Omni Equities Ltd., and developer of Las Olas River House - a new luxury high-rise condominium development in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
• Michael Singer – Environmental Designer and Architect. Mr. Singer’s spectacular work addresses issues and questions in the public realm and is redefining art in public spaces.

As the list demonstrates, the series is a worthwhile venue for those interested in the up-to-the-minute state of planning in South Florida. Undoubtedly, the series also contributed to FAPS being named 2003/04 “Club of Year” by the FAU Broward Student Government.

Another enjoyable Wednesday night at the lectures

So what will the upcoming 2004/05-lecture season bring? Well, for one, more of the same variety of grade “A ”speakers but with a broader geographical appeal to try to emphasize the regional aspect of planning. Also, the series would be interested in adding a mainstream author who has published works dealing with planning issues.

Don’t get left behind as the Second Wednesday Lecture Series takes off again next September! An up-to date listing of guests will be posted on the FAPS website during the summer at http://www.fau.edu/durp/faps/, so you can plan to attend any and all of the lectures. After all, it’s not every day you can become part of a tradition.