5th Annual Road Map 2020 Forum to focus on transportation in Saskatoon April 2-3, 2009

Re-visioning Transportation; Re-designing Community

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Road Map 2020 will host the 5th Annual Road Map 2020 Forum, Re-visioning Transportation; Re-designing Community, from April 2 – 3, 2009 at TCU Place in Saskatoon. This unique two-day event will examine the future of transportation in Saskatoon and how we as citizens and corporations can act more insightfully and environmentally responsibly.

Designed to stimulate open-minded dialogue, the Road Map 2020 Forum is an innovative learning event that enhances thought and conversation about the environment and sustainability. This year’s Forum will feature a broad array of topics on sustainable and active transportation in Saskatoon.

"This is a unique opportunity for experts on the environment and sustainability as well as local community leaders to engage one another on the topic of sustainable and active transportation, a critical environmental issue for Saskatoon," said Dave Palibroda, President of Road Map 2020. "We want to open people's eyes and inspire them to care about the future of our city and our planet."

Keynote Speaker: Gordon Price
The Forum will open on Friday, April 2, with a keynote presentation by Gordon Price, an award-winning expert on urban planning and transportation. Price, the Director of the City Program at Simon Fraser University also served six terms as a City Councilor in Vancouver and currently sits on the boards of the Sightline Institute and the International Centre for Sustainable Cities. Price's presentation, "Re-Imagining Motordom", will look closely at why we gave the automobile the right-of-way, how it changed the way we designed our cities and how we achieve balance today in order to accommodate alternative modes of transportation and their users while maintaining the advantages of car-based mobility.

Forum Session Topics
Presenters will examine the current state of transportation in Saskatoon and will share their ideas for the future. This year’s Forum session topics include:

• Putting the Brakes on Climate Change a closer look at City Park and the Commuter Challenge, Carpool Registry, Walking School Bus and Active Transportation Charter.
  
• The Rail Connection – Right on Track with Peter Prebble speaking on InterCity Passenger Rail
• In our own Backyard – Why Local Matters in Saskatoon featuring Janis Cousyn, Calories Restaurant / Souleio Foods and journalist Amy Jo Ehman

Other topics to be discussed include the City of Saskatoon’s Green Vehicle Policy, Vehicle Right-Sizing, Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Plan and Bicycle Plan as well as a presentation about Saskatoon's first car co-op and a look at the Saskatoon Health Region's alternative transportation survey and strategy.

Sustainability Champions
Road Map 2020's Sustainability Champion Program celebrates community leaders that have adopted sustainable practices and enlists them in further promoting sustainability. Road Map 2020 will welcome a number of organizations as new Sustainability Champions at the 2009 Forum.

Forum Registration Information
By exploring the challenges of and potential solutions to climate change in relation to transportation the Road Map 2020 Forum caters to a diverse audience including community, business and academic leaders; municipal, provincial and federal leaders; university students; and anyone in interested in creating a sustainable future for Saskatoon by gaining new perspectives, insights, tools and best practices in sustainability.

To register online visit Road Map 2020's website at www.roadmap2020.ca or contact Carla Paul at (306) 652-1400 or cpaul@onpurpose.ca. Space is limited; early registration is encouraged.

The Road Map 2020 Forum is a low-waste event; attendees are encouraged to walk, bike, car-pool or take transit to the Forum.

Sponsors for the Road Map 2020 Forum include Cameco, SaskTel, University of Saskatchewan, and the Western Development Museum.

About Road Map 2020
Road Map 2020, founded in 2004, is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering sustainable practices in Saskatoon. Road Map 2020 builds community awareness of the environmental, social and economic benefits of sustainable practices and works to mobilize a multi-sector network of community leaders interested in building a more sustainable Saskatoon for the future. For more information about Road Map 2020 please visit, www.roadmap2020.ca.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Kim Ali, Road Map 2020 Forum Event Coordinator
Phone: (306) 652-1400 ext. 2
Email: kimali@onpurpose.ca