For Immediate Release

Great Lakes District Councils awarded ULI Innovation Grant

Opportunity to advance healthy environment and stronger regional
economic linkages of globally unique watershed

NEW YORK (October 21, 2014) – The Urban Land Institute (ULI) District Councils of the Great Lakes Region were awarded the ULI Innovation Grant this week at the annual Fall Meeting in New York City. Together, the six district councils in the Great Lakes region will organize an educational program to increase awareness and develop a coordinated strategic approach for implementing sustainable development practices. These practices are essential for promoting the overall health of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Region.

“We are excited to be the first region of District Councils to receive this important grant,” said Richard Joy, Executive Director of ULI Toronto. “The award recognizes that the health of local economies and ecologies are linked to the health of larger super regions. We need to be strategic at both levels.”

Five District Councils of the international Great Lake Region (Chicago, Toronto, Minnesota, Michigan, and Indiana) convened in Chicago this past fall to focus on lessons from the international architecture firm Skidmore Owings and Merrill (SOM) and the pro-bono leadership of ULI Member Phil Enquist to consider a 100-year vision for the Great Lakes and St Lawrence River Region. ULI Cleveland will also join this partnership.

With the support of the Innovation Grant, the Great Lakes District Councils will seek partnerships with a number of key regional and local organizations. These partnerships will be focused on this globally significant watershed to raise awareness, share and promote best land use practices, and develop a strategic framework for continued ULI leadership.

“The Great Lakes ULI District Councils applaud the tremendous leadership and dedication of a number of local and international organizations, whose mission it is to protect and leverage our greatest shared assets – the Great Lakes.” said Rob Spanier, ULI Toronto Chair. “It is time that the real estate sector stepped up as a partner to play a larger leadership role.”

The Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River basin, extending from Duluth in Minnesota to Quebec in Canada, contain 84% of North America’s fresh water, only 1% of which is renewable. This significant natural resource remains very vulnerable to the adverse effects of increasing urbanization, harmful agricultural and industrial practices, and climate change.

About the Urban Land Institute
The Urban Land Institute (www.uli.org) is a non-profit education and research institute supported by its members. Its mission is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in sustaining and creating thriving communities worldwide. Established in 1936, the Institute has more than 32,000 members representing all aspects of land use and development disciplines. In Canada, the Urban Land Institute is an active and growing organization. With over 1,400 members across the country, Canada’s first ULI District Council was established in Toronto in 2005 and a second District Council exists in British Columbia, followed by a third District Council in Calgary. ULI Toronto has over 700 members in Toronto.

For more information please contact:

Alexandra Rybak
District Council Coordinator
ULI Toronto
647-258-0017