Urban Studies Club

First Meeting of the Year!

2009-09-01T07:12:00.001-07:00

Folks, we will have a planning meeting for the group on Wednesday, September 2 at 6:30pm in Wheeler 328. Please join us so that we can develop a framework for the year, decide on officers, and also catch up and meet new majors.

GIS internship in Richmond, VA

2009-05-02T18:15:00.001-07:00

Virginia Economic Development Partnership ~ GIS Internship

The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) division at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) in Richmond, Virginia is pleased to announce a paid internship opportunity for the summer, 2009. The GIS division works to support the mission of VEDP: “To enhance the quality of life and raise the standard of living for all Virginians, in collaboration with Virginia communities, through aggressive business recruitment, expansion assistance, and trade development, thereby expanding the tax base and creating higher-income employment opportunities.” To assist in fulfilling this mission, we focus on cartographic products for project support, custom application development, as well as data creation and analysis.

Summary: This internship will provide a valuable experience to students seeking a career in GIS. The successful candidate will receive hands-on experience with the suite of ESRI software products, namely ArcGIS Desktop 9.3, desktop extensions and ArcSDE. The successful candidate will work on a wide variety of GIS projects. Past internship projects have included digitizing and editing, creating metadata, researching and creating datasets by geocoding addresses, cartographic work to update standard maps used throughout the agency, and georeferencing image files to update datasets. The successful candidate may also conduct research and work directly with business development managers to assist with project support. The intern will participate as a VEDP staff member by attending staff meetings, retreats and social gatherings. Hours are flexible to accommodate class schedule(s) or other commitments.

Qualifications: The qualified intern will be a student in (or recent graduate from) an undergraduate or graduate program seeking on-the-job experience in GIS. Ideal candidates will have some experience using GIS and working knowledge of ESRI’s ArcGIS product family. VEDP operates off a Microsoft Office platform, and experience in Word, Excel, and Outlook is expected. Applicants should be task-oriented, highly organized and possess a strong interest in GIS. The qualified applicant will be a self-motivated, conscientious individual who can work independently with minimal supervision, as well as communicate closely with staff.

Benefits: The successful candidate will enjoy the benefits of working in downtown Richmond with a team of GIS professionals who foster growth toward a career in GIS. Course credit is offered with participating schools. You can read more about VEDP and the GIS division on the web at: http://www.yesvirginia.org and http://gis.vedp.org.

Term: This position is for 15-20 hours (paid) during the summer of 2009 (June 1 – August).

Application: Please send your resume and a cover letter by May 15th, 2009 to Lyndsay Duncan, Virginia Economic Development Partnership, 901 East Byrd Street 18th Floor West, P.O. Box 798, Richmond, Virginia 23218-0798 or email to LDuncan@yesvirginia.org.

Urban SOS Competition

2009-04-28T07:41:00.000-07:00

International design firm EDAW is sponsoring a competition entitled "Urban SOS." Entries are open to undergraduate, graduate and doctoral level students. The goal of the competition is to present a compelling solution to a failing urban site. You may enter in teams of up to 4 members and the deadline to register is May 15th.

Check out the contest website: Urban SOS

I was interested in this contest. I'll be gone most of the summer, but with technology it would be possible for us to organize the project easily. Anybody else curious?

Green Recovery Symposium

2009-04-11T15:58:00.001-07:00

Everybody should add this event to their calendars

On Thursday April 16^th, the Morehouse College SGA will be hosting "The Dream Realized: Green Recovery Symposium" from 6-8pm at King Chapel. The Dream Realized: Green Recovery Symposium is designed to begin a conversation among the Atlanta community about the rapidly growing" green economy" and how it can be leveraged to solve two crises-environmental degradation and the massive loss of local jobs. By hosting this event our goal is to help urban residents and the Atlanta community to act powerfully to usher in a green, just future for the city of Atlanta and its residents.

Urban Studies Club 2008-2009

Instead of giving a politican the keys to the city, it might be better to change the locks.

Doug Larson

Beltline Meetings

2009-04-11T15:57:00.001-07:00

Environmental Impact Study (EIS) Workshops

Over the next month, ABI and MARTA will conduct a series of five public workshops as part of the Environmental Impact Study, with one workshop in each of the BeltLine Study Group areas. The purpose of these meetings will be to fully engage the public in small group discussions focused on getting closer to the preferred alignments for transit and trails, getting the public's views on the preferred type of rail service and technology, to review the concept and features of transit and trails, refine the alternatives under consideration for alignment, station stops, rail service and technology, and to identify key concerns that need to be addressed in the environmental impact analysis.

EIS Public Workshop dates and locations:

Southwest Study Group : Thursday, April 23, 2009 – 6:30–8:30 PM

Location: West Hunter Street Baptist Church, 1040 Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard SW, Atlanta, GA 30310

Urban Studies Club 2008-2009

Instead of giving a politican the keys to the city, it might be better to change the locks.

Doug Larson

Encouraging Communities to Go Green

2009-03-01T11:25:00.000-08:00

Students are invited to attend this discussion of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s new Green Communities Program, which helps metro Atlanta local governments reduce their environmental impact and become more sustainable, recognizing that achievement through voluntary certification.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Program 12:30-2p
Centergy Building @ Tech Square, 75 5th St, Hodges Connections Room (3rd floor)

The program enables ARC and its communities to provide leadership, direction, and focus in identifying the best ways to address green building, energy efficiency, green power, water-use reduction and efficiency, transportation and air quality, recycling and waste reduction, and education. A possible model for extension to other urban and rural municipalities in Georgia, the Green Communities program seeks to bring us one step closer to protecting, conserving, and restoring metro Atlanta’s natural resources.

The presenter is Maia Davis — a principal environmental planner at the Atlanta Regional Commission.

Hartsfield Jackson International Airport Internship

2009-01-29T09:06:00.001-08:00

The City of Atlanta, Department of Aviation, owner/operator of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), announces its 2009 Summer Internship Program. The program offers students work experience that will bridge the gap between their classroom experience and intended career from May 28th, 2009 through July 22nd, 2009.

The 10-week summer program offers competitive pay for related majors and experience. Students work 40 hours per week on projects designed by individual divisions of the Department. Students will also participate in other activities designed to broaden their perspective of airport management. Prospective projects, as well as interns, are screened and selected by Human Resources.

Each student is encouraged to seek academic credit for the internship, but the student is responsible for arranging for such credit and should determine the specific procedure at his/her respective institution. The website doesn't show how much interns are expected to earn, but this looks to be a great opportunity for anybody interesting in aviation and security planning, as well as public finance and administration. Online application at the listed website below

ATL reminds all applicants that the intent of the Internship Program is to provide a variety of opportunities for students to learn about public service professions. It is not designed to compete financially with private industry.

Link: http://apps.atlanta-airport.com/SummerIntern/

Paid Summer internship with The American Lawyer

2009-01-02T08:52:00.000-08:00

For those interested in business and legal journalism, the nationally circulated magazine The American Lawyer is offering paid internships in New York City this summer for undergraduate and graduate students.

Application Deadline (resume, clips, recommendations) are due February 28. Please follow the links for more information.

LINKS: Job Search Site, The American Lawyer

Community Relations Intern, Prevent Blindness Georgia

2009-01-02T08:43:00.001-08:00

Community Relations intern needed for Atlanta-based non-profit association, Prevent Blindness Georgia

Part-time position will include:
writing press releases,
composing e-newsletters,
updating website
special events planning,
fundraising activities.
We're looking for a generalist with excellent writing skills. Desktop publishing skills preferred. Must be proficient in Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
20 hours/week minimum. Monthly stipend. Could lead to a permanent position. Convenient access to MARTA.

Contact Person:

Barbara Myers

Phone:

770-309-0613

LINKS: Job Search Website, Prevent Blindness Georgia

Metro Atlanta American Red Cross Internship

2009-01-01T10:55:00.000-08:00

The American Red Cross is looking for COLLEGE students to fill the following exciting positions at our district offices and chapter headquarters. With an emphasis on community involvement, these positions give interns the opportunity to network and learn valuable marketing skills. Flexible hours and a friendly work environment are just a couple of the features offered to Red Cross interns.

You can apply online or call 404-575-3195 for additional information.

Public Affairs Intern
Disaster Services Intern

APPLY NOW

Positions are also available with the American Red Cross Blood Services Southern Region and nationwide.

Planning Internship in Chesterfield, Missouri

2009-01-01T10:51:00.000-08:00

The City of Chesterfield is accepting applications for the position of Planning Intern to assist with drafting/research, inspection and preparation of reports, and clerical duties. This position includes office/fieldwork. HS diploma and 2 yrs of college; urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture classes preferred. Minimum salary $12/hr for maximum 1,000 hrs/yr.

Application available at www.chesterfield.mo.us; submit to City Hall, 690 Chesterfield Pkwy W, Chesterfield, MO 63017, Attn:
Planning Intern. EOE

LINK: Craiglist, City of Chestfield, MO

Next Meeting

2008-10-27T09:33:00.000-07:00

Our next meeting will be held Tuesday, October 28, 2008 in Wheeler 328 at 5 pm. Please join us!
Tentative agenda items will include

Mortgage Fraud Task Force Movie and Workshop

NPU-T Community Summit

Urban Studies Career Forum

Neighborhood of the Month

HUD offers a hand to Atlanta foreclosures

2008-09-30T13:20:00.001-07:00

U.S. Housing and Urban Development Allocates $12.3 Million to City of Atlanta to Stabilize Neighborhoods Devastated by Foreclosure

HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program will assist the City of Atlanta with the City's current efforts to stabilize and preserve our communities most devastated by foreclosure. While foreclosure has been a huge city-wide problem, the neighborhoods hardest hit in Atlanta are Adair Park, Capitol View, English Avenue, Mechanicsville, Pittsburgh, Summerhill, Sylvan Hills, Vine City, Washington Heights, and West End. These funds will be used in these neighborhoods and throughout the City to assist in acquiring and redeveloping foreclosed properties, both single family and multi-family. Terri Lee, City of Atlanta Housing Director said, "This is an additional tool for the City to use so that we can address those impacted neighborhoods and begin to stabilize and revitalize our communities." Lee confirms that the City has been working with partners like the Atlanta Development Authority (ADA), Enterprise Community Partners, the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership (ANDP) and other neighborhood-based organizations to address the astounding foreclosure problem in Atlanta.

Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin said, "This is a great investment into a problem that is bound to get worst, as economic indicators continue to point to continued stress on the wallets and lives of everyday people. As Georgia unemployment is the highest it has been in eight years, food banks shelves are nearly bare, the cost of food, gas and healthcare exceed most people's incomes and the picture is not getting better any sooner."

HUD will issue specific rules and guidelines to assist communities in the administration of this new program later this month. City officials will participate in the HUD sponsored national housing summit in Washington, DC on October 7-8, as well as a series of regional conferences to explain the details of this new program. HUD is encouraging local governments receiving direct grants to coordinate with each other and with their state governments, to make the most effective use of the available funds.

To help combat the rise of foreclosures in metro Atlanta, NeighborWorks® America, Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Atlanta (CCCS), Homeownership Preservation Foundation (HPF) and United Way have joined together to establish the HOPE foreclosure prevention program and toll-free 1-888-995-4673 (HOPE) hotline.

The HOPE program consists of the toll-free HOPE hotline supplemented by face-to-face counseling provided by local NeighborWorks® organizations. The hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by expert counselors, who provide free, confidential advice for those facing foreclosure. Homeowners who want or need in-person counseling will be referred to organizations throughout the metro area. Counseling is available in English and Spanish.

Latin American Association Community Service

2008-09-29T16:31:00.001-07:00

What: 9th Annual Latino Youth Leadership Conference

When: October 18, 2008; 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Where: Georgia State University; Sports Arena

Who Should Attend: Students in grades 6 through 12; Parents and all School Staff and Faculty

Cost: FREE! Breakfast and lunch provided!

Contact: Massiel Silva, msilva@thelaa.org or 404-638-1838

Link: http://www.latinamericanassoc.org/html/english/youth.asp

This event will be a great volunteer opportunity for us, and it will help us to learn more about the urban issues involved with the growing Latino population in Atlanta.

Meeting

2008-09-29T14:06:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody.

Our second meeting will be tomorrow, Tuesday, September 30, at 6 pm in Wheeler 328 (directly opposite Dr. Aka's office and the Political Science Department office). As always, if you know anyone interesting in Urban Studies, please invite them to join us.

Tentative topics for the meeting's agenda include

Homecoming Parade, Cochran-el, Chair
Speakers Forum, Ethan, Chair
Hope Statue, Ariel, Chair
Club Dues
Volunteer Project with Latin American Association

I started this blog as a way to present updated information about what we will be doing, and there will be posts here about our events, meetings, meeting notes, internships, community service, and other urban issues in Atlanta, the nation and the world. Stay tuned, and subscribe to our RSS feed!
See you tomorrow!