Portsmouth SmartGrowth for the 21st Century, or PS21, is sponsoring the appearance of Jeff Speck, one of the nation’s foremost urban planners.

 

Speck, author of the best-seller, “Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a Time,” will discuss the importance of “walkability” and how to make it happen in Portsmouth. His presentation, “Towards a More Walkable Portsmouth,” will held be at Seacoast Repertory Theatre on Thursday, January 22. On Friday, January 23, Speck will lead an in-depth workshop at City Hall.

Both events will be free and open to the public. However, seating is limited. Please RSVP.

Speck also co-wrote the best-selling books “Suburban Nation” and “The Smart Growth Manual.” He served as director of design at the National Endowment for the Arts from 2003 through 2007, where he oversaw the Mayors’ Institute on City Design and created the Governors’ Institute on Community Design, a federal program that helps state governors fight suburban sprawl.

Prior to joining the endowment, Speck spent 10 years as director of town planning at Duany Plater-Zyberk and Co., a leading practitioner of the “New Urbanism,” where he led or managed more than 40 projects.

Primary funding for the events is provided by the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and the city of Portsmouth, with additional support from Esther’s Marina, Piscataqua Savings Bank and PortsmouthNH.com. Seacoast Local is featuring the event as a partner in their “Making the Connection” speaker series.