| American Institute of Architects Adds Session on New Orleans Reconstruction to Haiti Reconstruction Conference Later This Week |
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| Monday, 10 January 2011 14:33 | |
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) today announced it was adding a session to its two-day conference on Haiti reconstruction to address the efforts of New Orleans to recover from the twin disasters of Hurricane Katrina and the disastrous BP oil spill last year. The two-day AIA Summit on Haiti is being held on Thursday – one day after the first anniversary of the Haitian earthquake of 2010 – at the Loew’s Hotel in New Orleans. Organizations participating in the AIA’s Haiti conference include The American Red Cross, National Urban League - Greater New Orleans, Adecco Group North America, United States Green Building Council (USGBC), Architecture for Humanity (AFH), National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), Public Architecture and Black Design Network News. The second session of the two-day conference puts the spotlight on New Orleans, where participants will hear first-hand accounts of how New Orleans is rebounding from natural and man-made disasters. The program will feature renowned local speakers and panel case studies on New Orleans. The AIA announced last month that it would sponsor the Haiti conference on how to expand volunteer opportunities for the building and design industry in that ravaged and impoverished nation. The meeting comes as the AIA implements a resolution passed unanimously in September by its Board of Directors that expresses support for the Haitian architectural community and commits to developing a process under which AIA volunteers will be able to provide assistance to those affected by the earthquake. That resolution followed a joint AIA/USGBC announcement in July naming Stacey McMahan, AIA, LEED AP, as the Architecture for Humanity (AFH) Sustainable Design Fellow to lead AFH’s sustainable rebuilding efforts in Haiti. McMahan has been working directly with community members in Architecture for Humanity’s Rebuilding Center based in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Ms. McMahan will also be attending the conference. The Haiti conference is the latest AIA effort in the past year to assist Haiti with expertise and contributions. Immediately after the earthquake a year ago, the AIA offered assistance to its members on where to send financial donations and resources. In April, the Puerto Rico Chapter of the AIA hosted a conference that united Haitian design experts with other Pan Caribbean professionals to examine the current status of Haitian infrastructure, identify strategic areas of support and plan for local, regional and national development. A website was also developed: www.aiaforhaiti.org |
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| Last Updated on Monday, 10 January 2011 14:35 |
