Last week our own Ashley Sarver attended the APA-IL conference in Champaign, IL. We asked her about her big takeaways:
Q: What was your favorite session attended?
A: The session on Mental Health in Public Spaces was great! The session utilized props and group discussion to spark creativity. Together, my group brainstormed elements in nature that evoke awe, comfort, and a sense of connection and then we applied those insights to our own projects—exploring how to integrate nature and design to encourage wellbeing in public spaces.
Ashley used manipulatives to picture what aspects of nature leave her in awe.
Q: What was most inspiring?
A: I enjoy sessions but it’s the people that are most inspiring! Reconnecting and networking with planners from across the state who are driving innovative and impactful projects is incredibly energizing. We all share a common goal: to see our communities flourish, and learning about the unique approaches to urban development, sustainability, and community engagement is exciting and motivating!
Q: What do you hope to bring to your future work?
A: While it is easy to become overly formal as consultants when we enter public spaces, the conference stressed the importance of leading with personality and authenticity. Humanity is at the core of planning and community design and our authenticity demonstrates our passion for creating vibrant and inclusive environments that are unique to the communities we serve!
Q: Tell me about the CNU happy hour and why that’s a great connection to foster.
A: The happy hour co-hosted by Studio GWA and CNU Midwest was a success! Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) and APA have an organic relationship, and the event was an opportunity to inspire APA-IL members to explore urban design principles more deeply. We hoped to encourage planners to view built forms as essential to shaping public spaces and policy development.
CNU Midwest and Studio GWA sponsored Happy Hour
Q: Ashley, you and Darrell Moore from the City of Woodstock presented on The Old Courthouse Center and showcased how this project was made possible through creative financing. As a session speaker, what was the goal of your presentation?
A: Our primary goal was to equip cities and counties with a powerful tool for revitalizing historic buildings: Historic Tax Credits (HTCs). HTCs can be a game-changer in bridging financial gaps, making it feasible for municipalities to take the lead in restoring these iconic structures, even when the private sector isn’t stepping in!
Personally, the APA-IL conference being hosted in Champaign offered a nostalgic trip for Ashley. Walking through the University of Illinois campus, she was excited to see the transformation of downtown Champaign and Urbana. The revitalization of these areas highlights the power of thoughtful urban planning and community-driven development!
