REGIONAL PLANNING EXPERT TO SPEAK
AT MOUNT HOLYOKE COLLEGE

Timothy Brennan Wraps Up "A Sense of Place" Lecture Series

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. – "Shaping a Livable Future: Putting Our Brakes on Sprawl" will be the subject of this discussion given by Timothy W. Brennan, executive director of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC), on Tuesday, April 16, 2002, at 7:00 P.M. in Gamble Auditorium, Mount Holyoke College. Brennan, who has been studying local growth and development for almost 30 years, will discuss important connections between the way the valley has developed and the environmental problems it now faces. The talk is free and open to the public, and the auditorium is wheelchair accessible.

Brennan will also briefly describe the work of the PVPC, which is one of only 13 such designated public regional planning agencies in the commonwealth, serving its second-largest planning region.

The public is invited to bring questions and concerns for a comment and discussion period after the talk. This will include many people who are already actively working for conservation and planned development throughout the region.

Brennan joined the PVPC in 1973 and since 1980 has served as the agency's executive director. He currently serves as the chair of the nationwide Institute for the Regional Community but is also active in many other organizations including the National Association of Regional Councils, the Massachusetts Association of Regional Planning Agencies, the New England Association of Regional Councils and the Hartford-Springfield Economic Partnership, among others. He is also an adjunct faculty member of the Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning at the University of Massachusetts.

This event is part of a continuing lecture series called A Sense of Place sponsored by The Center for Environmental Literacy (CEL) at Mount Holyoke College. This popular lecture series, begun last year, highlights and explores our special places and open spaces in the valley. The series focus is on the issues of historical context, air, water and sprawl.

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