FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The challenges of 2020 are enormous and impact all of us. The COVID-19 pandemic, racial justice protests following the senseless killing of George Floyd, and a stressful political environment in a presidential election year each has significant impact on our lives.
Our families, colleagues, clients and friends face much anxiety – health, moral, economic – and look for ways to understand and cope with the future. The accelerated changes, however, have also brought about new opportunities, particularly in ways that bode well for mid-size cities, such as Springfield.
Brad Segal, president of Progressive Urban Management Associates, will return to Springfield Sept. 15 to present “Global Trends,” an online talk taking place at 6:30 p.m., highlighting the opportunities arising from converging shifts in demographics, lifestyles, as well as disruptive forces (COVID-19) that are shaping our cities and downtowns. Segal, who has been a frequent visitor and consultant for downtown Springfield issues over the years, will be joined by City of Springfield Director of Quality of Place Initiatives Tim Rosenbury to share his perspective and mission on placemaking.
The global trends studied by PUMA include social justice, how we work, consumer behavior, climate change, transportation, and the importance of “place.”
“The growing importance of mobility systems, arts and culture, ecology and how we work and innovate, and social equity are all even more important now as we seek to conquer the pandemic and become a better country,” Segal said.
“This is good news for especially mid-size “opportunity cities” (like Springfield) that provide affordable housing and lifestyle opportunities.”
Segal’s presentation will be the second in a series aimed at connecting the development of the City’s comprehensive plan, Forward SGF, to a wide range of topics and national trends impacting cities and downtowns across the country. As the City passes the midpoint in the two-year process of updating the plan, City leaders and consultants want to continue to encourage participation and input as recommendations and strategies are formulated to guide the City’s growth and prosperity over the course of the next 20 years.
To view the online presentation live, visit the City’s website at Springfieldmo.gov or the City of Springfield’s Facebook page (CityofSGF). A recorded version of the presentation will be available immediately following the presentation at Springfieldmo.gov.
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Brad Segal is available for press interview prior to his Springfield engagement. For media information, or to coordinate, contact Cora Scott at 417-380-3352 or [email protected].