The Greater Dallas Planning Council is conducting its 4th Metromorphosis Symposium on November 4th, 2010. The full-day conference will be held at Cityplace in Dallas. This year's symposium focuses on Dallas' post-recession renaissance and emergence as a global city. Many economists believe the current national and world-wide recession marks profound structural changes that are realigning social, economic and political systems. New geographic centers of power are forming and in the coming decades there will be strong competition among major metropolitan areas for dominance and global influence. Metromorphosis IV will feature prominent national and local speakers discussing 21st Century economic, resource and demographic trends shaping the recovery and the strategic actions required by our region's governmental, business and civic leaders to position Dallas for the future.

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Registration 8:00 AM

Opening Session 8:30 AM

Krys Boyd, KERA's Host of THINK, will lead a panel discussion of national and community leaders focusing on: What is a Global City? Why is it important that Dallas to become a Global City? Who benefits from this transformation?

• Krys Boyd, KERA
• Jim Oberwetter, Dallas Regional Chamber
• Margie Johnson Reese, MJR Partners, LLC
• Wick Allison, D Magazine

Morning Breakout Sessions 10:00 – 11:30 AM

Sustainability as a Strategy for Competitive Advantage

The urban areas that emerge from this recession with successful economies will be those that embrace the 'new normal' – business practices, consumer demands and civic priorities that are different from those in place before 2008. Sustainability is an essential element of the new normal and a foundation for recovering economies and communities. The Greater Dallas area has an unusual mix of sustainability assets that position it for future vitality. This session will explore these assets and the strategies this region can use to build a world class future based on sustainability.

• Mike Eastland, Executive Director, North Central Texas Council of Governments
• Speaker:Salin Geevarghese, Senior Advisor, Office of Sustainable Housing & Communities, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Fernando Costa, FAICP, Assistant City Manager, City of Fort Worth and Chair, Vision North Texas Management Committee
• Mark Culwell, Senior Vice President, UDR, Inc.

Water to Form Our Region's Place and Identity

Water has influenced the pattern of growth and character of cities through history. Water is not only essential to life, it is fundamental to the social, physical, cultural, and economic character of cities. Water is equally critical to the vitality of 21st Century cities. Cities lacking a reliable and sufficient source of water will not prosper and their very existence may be at risk. Cities without water as a recreational and aesthetic amenity will find it difficult to create a quality of life and sense of place needed to be globally competitive. Dallas' anticipated growth will further strain the region's water resources. Development, conservation and the wise use of water can not only ensure an ample supply of water, it can create a distinctive and appealing global city. Can the region meet the water needs of a rapidly growing population? How?

• Jim Parks, NTMWD
• John Promise, NCTCOG
• Gail Thomas

Lunch Session 11:45 AM – 1:30 PM

Dr. Robert Lang, Director of the Brookings Institution West, will speak on the transformation of metropolitan America and why certain Mega regions are likely not only to lead the economic recovery, but will become America's 21st Century Global Cities.

Afternoon Breakout Sessions 1:45 – 3:15

Transportation

The ability to move people, goods and ideas is essential to metropolitan vitality and growth. Global cities must be highly accessible. Mere proximity to resources and markets is not a substitute for fast and dependable transportation. And while the efficient interconnection of internal activity centers is important, international connectivity is essential to being a global city. Dallas' transportation infrastructure is falling behind, pressed by the demands of maintenance and growth. Funding for roads and rail-transit are inadequate and there is limited authority for increasing needed revenue. Plans for high-speed rail, national and international freight movement and air transportation are stalled or lagging behind. Dallas' transportation infrastructure planning and development may be the most important determinant of the city's long-term future. How are we doing?

• Walt Humann
• Unfilled

Southern Dallas: Planning for the Next Wave of Growth in North Texas

If the Dallas region is to become a global city, it must use its land resources wisely. The region already sprawls over 16 counties, with post-World War II development concentrated in the northern counties. Southern Dallas County and northern Ellis County offer an appealing choice to those wanting an escape from the challenges of wall-to-wall urban and suburban living. Dallas' southern edge still has an ambience characterized by broad farmlands, limestone-worn creeks, simple country roads, and small town values. The population is diverse, the housing is affordable, the schools are good, and it is relatively close to the city. In shaping the future growth and development of the region, local residents, community leaders, and planners must balance the desire for maintaining the qualities that make this part of the metro area attractive while accommodating new residents, businesses, and needed services.

• Theresa O'Donnell, Dallas
• John Garfield, Midlothian
• Brandon Montgomery, Glenn Heights
• Rona Stringfellow, Lancaster
• Clyde Melnick, Waxahachie
• Rod Tyler, Cedar Hill

Closing Session 3:30 4:45 PM

A panel of local regional leaders will discuss the opportunities and obstacles government, education and business face in economic recovery and transforming Dallas to become a Global City.

• Mayor Tom Leppert
• Chancellor Lee Jackson
• Lucy Billingsley

Networking Reception 5:00 – 6:30 PM

Registration Fees

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