Hundreds of urban scholars, researchers, and public service professionals will make their way to Minneapolis next week to collaborate on significant urban issues with fellow attendees and learn about new resources related to their research and teaching.

Organization: Urban Affairs Association

Conference: 47th Annual Conference

Venue: Hyatt Regency Minneapolis Hotel

Following an opening reception on Wednesday evening at Minneapolis City Hall, the UAA Conference kicks off on Thursday morning with the meeting’s plenary session. Minneapolis City Council Member Alondra Cano, Metropolitan Economic Development Association CEO Gary Cunningham, and Minneapolis NAACP President Jason Sole will discuss pursuing regional equity in the Twin Cities. Also on the agenda:

Destination download. For attendees who want to learn more about the host city, AAU offers a webpage featuring a virtual tour of the Minneapolis produced by the University of Minnesota, as well as books and articles on the area. The latter cover everything from the story of the city’s parks to how it has promoted low-income housing through innovations in land-use regulations.

Tour de force. The meeting offers attendees seven Mobile Study Tours, which allow them to get out of session rooms and explore the city’s development firsthand. The options include a bicycle tour with experts about the infrastructure that’s made Minneapolis one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country and a walking tour of the North Loop area to highlight its successful urban-redevelopment effort.

Writers welcome. Authors with recent or forthcoming books have plenty of ways to spread the word. They can organize a formal discussion around their book’s theme, lead an informal book talk at a Breakfast Roundtable, or take part in the Association Book Exhibit.

Head to Facebook and Twitter (#UAA2017) for other meeting details.

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