The URSYS (Urban-Rural Systems) Research Network’s third event in a series of regional workshops was held in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 5th-7th, 2024. This workshop brought together local and regional stakeholders from academia, government, non-governmental organizations, and industry to explore the Mississippi River Basin (MRB) as a large interconnected urban and environmental system. The workshop was held at the Center for Architecture at Beale Street Landing in Memphis, hosted by the AIA Memphis chapter.
Kimberly Zarecor, Professor of Architecture at Iowa State University led a discussion on identifying funding opportunities, finding and submitting a federal grant, and what are the required documents for an agency like NSF. The discussion included how to assemble a successful team to apply for a grant, what to avoid, what to recommend, and how to navigate university resources in the application process, along with submission of Letters of Intent and submission of Preliminary and Full Proposals.
The session on Financing Community-Based Initiatives on Vacant Land was led by Mike Larrivee, Director of Regenerative Initiatives for The Works, Inc. (TWI), a Memphis non-profit community organization. Revenue sources for TWI’s Regenerative Initiatives include Sales & Services, Grants, and Philanthropic partnerships.
The Co-Production of Protection and Restoration Planning in Coastal Louisiana session was led by Traci Birch, Director of Coastal Ecosystem Design Studio, and Scott Hemmerling, Lead Scientist of the Water Institute of the Gulf. The session emphasized the importance of true active community engagement and incorporating local and traditional knowledge in the planning and research process.
