Urban Planning & Green Development (E/VRN-2011-0040) May 16 June 3, 2011

Institute of International Education

International Council of Central Florida

Maxwell Stewart: Max_Stewart@iccfvip.com Kara Solebello: kara_solebello@iccfvip.com
Central Floridas population has continued to grow at a twenty-six percent rate since 20001, raising concerns over the states water supply and its increasingly convoluted highway system. In an effort to combat this dense influx of people, the Orlando community is striving to become a progressive, eco-friendly place for its citizens and local businesses. The program will highlight the states initiatives for alternative development and conservation within the Central Florida region. Visitors will have the chance to observe several varieties of large scale water reclamation and processing facilities; discuss plans for the new mass transit line known as the Sun-Rail; and explore the second largest university in the country, the innovative University of Central Florida, known for its large scale efforts to decrease its campus carbon footprint through nationally-sponsored energy programs and student led sustainability organizations.

http://afteramerica.wordpress.com/2010/11/11/top-10-us-cities-most-likely-to-face-water-shortages/

Public and Government Organizations

Orange County Government: Growth Management & the Environmental Protection Division Themes: Preventing Overflow - State Incentives for Green Development; Zoning Regulations for Resource Preservation Visitors will meet with Orange County officials from several different divisions to address the coding and zone regulations in place for urban development in Central Florida. The annual population growth stresses Floridas natural parks and water resources, so officials at Orange County are beginning to focus on the regions four designated urban areas, creating redevelopment initiatives for residential communities and major roadways. Officials will explain the zoning guidelines in place to build a more compact, urban environment, and the necessary government programs and incentives which protect Central Floridas natural resources. The Green PLACE Program, a land reacquisition project for environmentally sensitive areas, and the Orange to Green Development Program, a major incentive for the building of green hotels and businesses, will be examined specifically.
[Orange County Website: http://www.orangecountyfl.net/tabid/343/default.aspx]

East Central Florida Regional Planning Council Themes: Reforming Urban Development through State Legislation and Regional Planning The Florida legislatures Growth Management Act is a mandate requiring each of the states sixty seven counties to create regional councils responsible for designing policies in the areas of transportation, environment, and urban development, among others. The East Central Florida Regional Planning Council (ECFRPC) oversees the Orlando area, working with local governments and private organizations to improve the standard of living for its residents. Council members will describe their 2050 vision for a more sustainable, metropolitan Central Florida, identifying development plans for Conservation Subdivisions and Urban Centers meant to prevent sprawling and produce self-sufficient, eco-friendly communities for dense populations. The origins of the ECFRPC, including its funding sources and measures of accountability, will be discussed. Developments of Regional Impact, or DRIs, are an alternative topic. These large projects require several Councils and local governments to partner together and reach an agreement on the necessary zoning regulations for such plans.
[ECFRPC Website: http://www.ecfrpc.org/]

Conserv Water II Facilities Themes: Large Scale Water Reclamation Sustaining Growth through Irrigation The Conserv Water II Project is one of the largest water reuse facilities in the world specializing in agricultural development and irrigation. First, the delegation will meet with Conserv officials to overview the Floridan Aquifer, the Central Florida water source known for being one of the most productive aquifers in the world. After identifying the basic structure of Floridas water system, visitors will tour the facilities to illustrate the Conserv Water process and the use of rapid infiltration basins to refill the aquifer and pump reclaimed wastewater into distant agricultural communities. The Conserv Water facilities provide an alternative water reclamation process which strengthens local industries. Farming populations of urban areas come to lose their water resources to large scale development, so the Conserv recycling techniques become essential to fighting produce shortages and diminishing a reliance on foreign food sources.
[Conserv Water II Website: http://www.waterconservii.com/index.html]

Florida Solar Energy Center Themes: Green Development in Alternative Energy - Hydrogen Technology, Solar Overview; Regulations for Solar Energy Production The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) was developed in 1975 by the Florida Legislature to act as a research institute for future energy projects across the state. The Center has several facilities on site, including a Photovoltaic Materials Laboratory for hydrogen production, several Solar Thermal Test Laboratories for indoor and outdoor performance testing, and a Manufactured Housing Laboratory which tests alternative energy housing units. There will be a tour of the expansive area and an opportunity to watch several demonstrations of the technology, including a tour through their on-site LEED certified green homes. FSEC representatives will overview the dimensions of solar development, from energy saving transportation to solar hot water techniques. State regulations for alternative energy homes and developing technologies may be another possible topic.
[FSEC Website: http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/]

University of Central Florida Tour & Visitor Presentation Themes: Green Innovations in Higher Education The University of Central Florida is the second largest university in the country and an important player in creating a sustainable environment for such a large number of youth. The university is poised to lead the way for a new energy efficiency program, one of five national projects sponsored by the government called MegaWatt Ventures. Visitors will spend an afternoon on the campus, meeting first with the Director for UCF Sustainability and Energy Management to tour the on-site energy facility and further

explain of the contests in place to promote the new MegaWatt Ventures initiative. The group will then peruse some eco-friendly buildings throughout the campus and explore the Arboretum where student groups maintain a sustainable garden year round. If they choose, visitors will be able to present to I.D.E.A.S., one of the student groups responsible for environmental awareness on campus, to talk with students about their professions and the challenges they face trying to generate green production for such dense populations. Students would like to have the opportunity to ask about the visitors positions and discuss the future of green technologies worldwide.
[UCF Sustainability Website: http://www.sustainable.ucf.edu/]

Wetlands Park Themes: Constructed Conservation Efforts for Wastewater Treatment As a manmade wastewater treatment and wildlife habitat, this conservation park is home to various endangered species and migratory birds essential to the Floridian ecosystem. While the group does some nature watching of their own over the 1,600 acre Wetlands area, private guides will examine the parks development, and its current impact on Floridas natural habitats.
[Wetlands Park Website: http://nbbd.com/godo/orlandowetlands/]

Non- Governmental Organizations & Grassroots

Ecohouse Development Themes: Grassroots Organization for Green Building Innovation A family-owned business, ECOHOUSE Development creates 100% sustainable buildings complete with water recycling capabilities and clean indoor-air systems. These buildings are customizable, saving homeowners over sixty percent of their water and power usage, while preventing indoor air pollution and harvesting rain water. Visitors will be able to tour these buildings and discuss the accessibility of replicating these technologies. Large scale development will also be a topic, highlighting the possibilities and complexities for creation of these houses in large urban communities.
[Ecohouse Development Website: http://ecohhouse.com/]

U.S. Green Building Council: Central Florida Chapter Themes: Coalitions for Advocacy, Best Practices, and Marketing in Alternative Development Consisting of architects, contractors, developers, and engineers, the Green Building Council of Central Florida offers a wide array of resources for entrepreneurs and businesspeople to succeed in the green development field. The Chapter has devised specific committees to help professionals understand this complex industry in the fields of finance, marketing, and sponsorship. Council Directors will address their advocacy strategies for green building in local businesses, schools, and residential communities, as well as their commitment to creating a lasting green industry with a viable market. The visitors will also learn of the Councils scholarship work, as well as the exams and workshops they offer to support emerging professionals.
[Green Building Council Website: http://www.usgbc-cf.org]

Private Sector

AquaFiber Technologies Corporation Themes: Transforming Non-Potable Water through Remediation Technologies The delegation will visit the AquaFiber water treatment center to examine firsthand the Aqualutions water system which removes harmful toxins such as nitrogen, carbon and phosphorous from non-potable water, transforming it into a safe, purified state. AquaFiber holds twenty three U.S. and international patents for various converter technologies, and is continuing to improve its global impact with the creation of AquaKnight, a mobile water remediation facility with the potential to reach rural communities reliant on contaminated water, and those populations affected by a natural disaster. As leaders in the removal of bacterial growth from surface water, representatives from AquaFiber will take visitors through their step by step process and discuss the possibilities of large scale replication.
[AquaFiber Website: http://www.aquafiber.com/]

C.T. Hsu & Associates, P.A. Themes: Architecture, Urban Design and Development in the Private Sector C.T. Hsu & Associates is one of the most prominent urban design firms in the state of Florida. Specializing in expansive development projects, C.T. Hsu works on commercial and transportation design for the national and international arena, having created projects in Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Singapore, to name a few. The meeting will be a roundtable with several of the companys diverse experts to highlight the intricacies of their designs and the various methods which CT. Hsu & Associates applies depending on the type of development. The firm will also place emphasis on the cultural and economic effects of their community outreach work.
[C.T. Hsu Website: http://www.cthsu.com/]

Home Hospitality & Extra Activities

As always, Home Hospitality is an option.

Green Festival Depending upon the dates of their arrival in Orlando, a UCF sponsored Green Festival with local businesses and technologies may be taking place, and the visitors are welcome to participate. Disney World Always an option, the visitors may be able to have a private tour through Epcot or the Animal Kingdom to learn of the green efforts of these expansive parks which see millions of national and international visitors daily.