The Next City Challenge: Chattanooga

THE NEXT CITY CHALLENGE: CHATTANOOGA

about the Next City Vanguard conference
2014 marks the fifth annual Next City Vanguard conference and the first time a Southern city has hosted the event — Next City is headed to Chattanooga from Thursday, April 24 - Saturday, April 26, and you're invited to the culminating event!

The Next City Vanguard conference gathers emerging urban leaders working to improve cities across such various fields as urban planning, community development, entrepreneurship, government, transportation, sustainability, design, art and media. Next week, more than 40 young leaders whose bright ideas for cities, experience in the field and ambition for the future all show great promise will gather in Chattanooga for a series of presentations, workshops, tours and (new this year) an ideas competition.

about the challenge
Chattanooga, in one sense or another, has always been a city about making connections. Located on the Tennessee River and positioned by the borders of three states (Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama), the city grew by virtue of its port and rail. Today, its revitalized downtown, reclaimed riverfront and even its 1G Internet connection create new kinds of interaction.

Still, like most cities in the United States, Chattanooga is grappling with new connectivity challenges. Next City invites Vanguards to envision ways to strengthen existing or create new connections through an ideas competition. How can Chattanooga support better transportation and bike infrastructure? How can both the built environment and parks encourage connections across class and race? What kinds of projects or policies could be implemented to better connect all people to opportunity? What are other societal divisions that need to be bridged?

you're invited
On Saturday, April 26th, Vanguards will brainstorm, prepare and present a proposal for a specific local initiative that will impact Chattanooga’s connectivity. A winning proposal will be selected, and the local host committee will work with Causeway, a Chattanooga based civic engagement platform to realize the first phase of the selected initiative. Up to $10,000 will be provided by the Footprint Foundation to support the initiative.

Join us as Vanguards take the stage and share their ideas for Chattanooga — and participate in the conversation online by using the hashtag #Vanguard14! (Curious about who's coming to town? Take a look at this year's Vanguard class here.)