The Sustainable Futures Conference presented by the Future of Small Cities Institute, University at Albany, and Rensselaer Center for Architecture and Ecology (CASE) Center will take place April 27-30. It is a multi-day virtual event that will mainstream public discourse around the concept of sustainable practice. Featuring over a dozen international and national speakers, including Rensselaer President Shirley Ann Jackson and CASE Center Director Dennis Shelden, the conference will illuminate how sustainability and resilience are multi-sector issues woven into all aspects of civic life, including economic development, housing, health, design, urban ecology, and education. The conference will place particular emphasis on equity and climate justice, highlighting the implementation of New York State’s landmark Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) in the Capital Region.
Dennis Shelden was named the director of CASE in early 2020. The CASE Center is cross-disciplinary research, education, and industry advancement center located in Industry City in Brooklyn, New York. CASE is part of the School of Architecture and takes an integrated science, engineering, and tech-startup-inspired approach to advancing building capabilities across architecture, construction, technology, and product supply chains with the goal of advancing sustainable, resilient, and healthy environments. Professional firms, product manufacturers, and tech companies work with CASE research staff and students to connect to building, information systems, and material advances that can be applied to real-world projects and products. CASE targets innovations that foster building industry and macroeconomic improvements in the New York City, New York State, and global building industries.