The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), the federal government's planning agency for America's capital city, brought together capital city planning officials and policymakers from around the globe for a series of thought-provoking discussions on greening the world's capitals. International delegates started the week on Sunday, September 14. Public sessions began Monday, September 15 and ran through Thursday, September 18. An optional day of touring was held on September 19.

Capitals Alliance 2008 highlighted the timely and important topic of creating a more sustainable planet. Throughout the week, we explored the role of national capitals in creating a greener world; learned about successful green strategies from champions of environmentally-friendly policies; and showcased sustainability initiatives from dozens of national capitals. 

Attendees heard insights from some of the world's most prominent thinkers, urban designers, and activists working to create more sustainable cities. Speakers included:

Herbert Girardet, director of Programmes for the World Future Council in London, provided the opening keynote address.  Girardet is a renowned author, documentary filmmaker, and recipient of a United Nations Global 500 Award for Outstanding Environmental Achievements.

Falah Al Ahbabi, general manager, Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council. The UPC is leading the way to establish Abu Dhabi as a global capital renowned for its architecture and sustainable features.

Diana Balmori, member of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts and a landscape architect recognized for innovations in environmentally sustainable design.

Larry Beasley, chairman, Advisory Committee on Planning, Design and Realty at the National Capital Commission in Ottawa. Former planning director for the city of Vancouver and current planning consultant.

Frances Beinecke, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon, 3rd District) has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1996. A member of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Climate Change, he is a strong advocate for the environment and sustainable development.

Majora Carter, founder and executive director of the environmental justice organization Sustainable South Bronx in New York. Currently heads the Majora Carter Group, LLC.

Laurel Colless, executive director, Energy Efficiency Partnership of Greater Washington, a program based at Virginia Tech University, that is devoted to helping communities become greener.

 
George S. Hawkins, director of the District Department of the Environment for Washington, D.C.

Tom Hicks, vice president of the U.S. Green Building Council, where he oversees the Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Neighborhood Development Program.

Jim Huffman, associate principal with the architectural firm Busby Perkins + Will.

Roger K. Lewis, professor emeritus of architecture at the University of Maryland and author of "Shaping the City," an architecture and urban design column for The Washington Post.

Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and co-author of Changing Places: Rebuilding Community in the Age of Sprawl.

Tom Murphy, senior resident fellow at the Urban Land Institute and a former three-term mayor of
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Daniel K. Slone, expert in land use and environmental law. Counsel for prominent green organizations including the U.S. Green Building Council and Congress for the New Urbanism.

Robert Stacey, executive director of 1,000 Friends of Oregon, a public interest group advocating smart growth in land use planning.

Harriet Tregoning, director, District of Columbia Office of Planning. 

David L. Winstead, Commissioner of Public Buildings for the U.S. General Services Administration.

The signature event, World Leaders on Sustainability, was held in the Great Hall of the National Building Museum. Officials from cities recognized for good urban planning and progressive ecological policies discussed their unique experiences with sustainable development projects.  Participants included United States Congressman Earl Blumenauer, Irene Svenonius, chief executive officer of Stockholm, and Cassio Taniguchi, former mayor of Curitiba, Brazil. Marcel Beaudry, past chairman of Ottawa's National Capital Commission facilitated the discussion.

Discussions and workshops were devoted to topics such as building community support for green and sustainable policies; addressing the challenges facing capital cities; balancing tourism and responsible energy consumption; and the effect of green design on world-class architecture and open space.

Partners included the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts and the National Building Museum and participating entities included the Embassy of Sweden, and Onuma, Inc. The conference took place at several of Washington, DC's most renowned venues, including the National Press Club, the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture, and the National Building Museum, an institution committed to the promotion of sustainable building practices. International delegates took part in special events throughout the week, including poster presentations and site visits to Washington's top green sites.