EPA’s Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities

Bio: Kristin Ihnchak, a Senior Planner with CMAP, has over 7 years of sustainability-focused planning experience. Her work at CMAP has focused on working with communities in the Chicago region to develop sustainability plans and update zoning ordinances. Prior to joining CMAP in April 2011, Kristin was an Urban Designer/Planner with Farr Associates, an architecture and urban planning firm on the cutting edge of sustainable design. During her 4 years there, she was a project manager for zoning code rewrites (including form-based codes), master plans, sustainable zoning code audits, and LEED Neighborhood Development evaluations. Kristin has held internships with Duncan Associates, the American Planning Association, and the Chicago Center for Green Technology. She has a Master's degree in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Bio: Manage the Building Blocks for the Sustainable Communities program. This technical assistance program is the cornerstone of EPA's Office of Sustainable Communities outreach to jurisdictions seeking solutions to barriers to smart growth implementation. Mr. Nelson has extensive experience with codes, ordinances, standards and smart growth tools.

Education: Univeristy of Illinois, Masters of Urban and Regional Planning, 1995 University of Notre Dame, Bachelors of Arts in Government and International Studies

Key Publications: Essential Smart Growth Fixes for Urban and Suburban Zoning Codes Essentail Smart Growth Fixes for Rural Planning, Zoning, and Development Codes

Past Assignments: Multiple trainings on the Building Blocks program including the "Doctor Is In" sessions at the New Partners for Smart Growth Conference.