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ULI SPRING MEETING ULI SPRING MEETING
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Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO, United States May 12-14, 2025

Intentional Design Strategies for Creating Healthy and Resilient Places

Tue May 13 2:30 PM — 3:30 PM (GMT-07:00) Mountain Time
This conversation will spotlight examples of intentional design from three national experts, including trauma-informed design, urban and community gardens, and art and placemaking. The panel will describe each approach through a series of local case studies spanning affordable housing for Denver's most vulnerable populations; urban and community gardens that reduce barriers to fresh, healthy, and organic food; and public art initiatives that bring people together while giving back to the creative economy. The panel will reflect on the epidemic of loneliness and reference these projects as meaningful examples of "third spaces" for increased community building, health, and well-being in the built environment. The session will begin with a formal Pecha Kucha–style presentation (an engaging storytelling format in which a presenter shows 20 slides for 20 seconds per slide), followed by a moderated panel discussion and Q&A.

Speakers

Moderator

Executive Director ULI Colorado

Raised in Denver, Rodney Milton is the new Executive Director of Urban Land Institute (ULI) Colorado. Rodney holds two master's degrees from Florida State University and a B.S. in History from Florida A & M University. He served the City of Atlanta for nearly a decade advancing innovative approaches to place-keeping and place-making and cultivated strong relationships with the development community through thoughtful policy and…
Panelist

Executive Director Denver Urban Gardens

I am currently the Executive of Denver Urban Gardens (DUG). DUG is a 40 year old Denver institution and one of the largest independent community garden organizations in the country. Our mission is to provide the skills, access and resources to grow healthy food in community and regenerate urban green spaces. Through DUG's work and the Urban Garden Project, we are amplifying the role that…
Panelist

NINE dot ARTS

Martha McGee is the CEO and co-founder of NINE dot ARTS, a leading art consulting and creative placemaking firm that has completed over 1,000 projects worldwide, generating more than $50M for the creative economy. A trained artist and entrepreneur, Martha has been recognized on the Forbes Next 1000 List. She serves on the board of the Downtown Denver Partnership and is a member of Denver's…
Panelist

COO + Housing Specialist Shopworks Architecture

Laura joined Shopworks Architecture in 2019 after co-leading the development of Arroyo Village in Denver, which created a new homeless shelter for women and transgender individuals, 35 units of supportive housing, and 95 units of workforce housing using a trauma-informed lens. Laura brings to Shopworks her experiences as a non-profit leader and community organizer/community engagement specialist. She is using her expertise and knowledge in best…