SPAN Table Talk Series Fall 2023
The Student Planners’ Action Network (SPAN) has been kicking off this most recent fall semester strong by continuing its Table Talk Series. SPAN Table Talk Series is an informal discussion with planners/officials in various urban planning sub-fields to talk about their passions, career paths, and projects involved. These talks provide great opportunities for students to understand better how the knowledge and skills they learn in classes can be applied professionally. The speakers brought insight and inspiration for ways to bridge communities further together and solve practical problems that are prevalent currently in our urban landscape, especially in the region of eastern North Carolina. Two Table Talks were offered in the Fall of 2023 semester.
Ryan Cox
Students met with Ryan Cox, CFM, President at Insight Planning and Development, LLC, on October 4, 2023, to start the year. Mr. Cox has over five years of experience with hazard mitigation planning and extensive knowledge of land use practices and their relationship. He provided much “insight” for students on the importance of this branch of planning and why it was so crucial to the planning processes of many cities and municipalities across the floodplains of eastern North Carolina. Sharing the different challenges he encountered throughout his time, he shined a brighter light on what he felt were some of the more underappreciated parts of coastal and floodplain management planning. He discussed how his company, Insight Planning and Development, LLC, deals with these challenges as they work on various flood buyout programs and the tools and resources they utilize throughout the process.
Julie Metz
On November 8, 2023, SPAN invited the 2nd speaker Julie Metz, a community leader from Goldsboro, North Carolina. Ms. Metz spoke about the challenges of community revitalization and development she had experienced during her career with the Goldsboro Downtown Development Corp. Working as the Director for over twenty years, Ms. Metz played a vital role in many projects that have helped turn Goldsboro’s downtown into one of the most thriving and inviting Main Streets in eastern North Carolina. It holds historic charm. New investments in enhancing its walkability and accessibility, art, and small business development have promoted tourism and a sense of community pride. She discussed the many steps in the process that were required to get the city to the point where they are at today, discussing challenges with working with elected officials, bridging the gap between business owners and local government, and dealing with public engagement and how to ensure citizens remained an active part of all levels of planning throughout the process.
SPAN will continue with their Table Talk Series in the Spring 2024 semester, with new talks each month to continue to provide students with a way to engage further and gain a better understanding of urban planning and the impact that they can make on communities as future planners!
Members of SPAN with Julie Metz (far left)