Irving, TX (PRWEB) October 07, 2016
Greater Dallas Planning Council announces that Sylvester Turner, mayor of Houston, delivered the keynote address at the GDPC Annual Luncheon on October 6, 2016. The topic was Smart Growth, Mobility, Resiliency, Public Policy and 21st Century City. The event was held at the Sheraton Hotel Dallas - Chaparral Ballroom at 400 North Olive Street, Dallas, Texas.
Our regional population is projected to grow by 4.2 million people between 2010 and 2040. This projection brings to light that this theme is particularly significant for North Texas, given the range of current and planned projects and the associated urban planning and public policy issues. Examples include Mobility Retail Development, TOD/Mixed Use, Logistics and Healthcare. Mayor Turner and his team in Houston are addressing similar issues as the 4th largest US city. Mayor Turner's policymaking experience at the state level and his speaking style made this a vibrant and informative keynote.
Mayor Sylvester Turner was elected mayor of Houston to serve a four-year term beginning January 4, 2016. He was born and raised in northwest Houston; his mother worked as a maid in the old Rice Hotel; his father worked as a painter for Continental Ensco and cut yards with his sons on the weekends to make extra money. The Turners raised nine children. Sylvester lost his father to cancer when he was 13 years old. His mother took over the household and, although she never finished high school or learned to drive, she ensured her children got an education and inspired them to achieve. In high school, Sylvester was elected president of the student body and graduated as valedictorian. Sylvester graduated from the University of Houston and Harvard Law School before joining the law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski. He later founded the Houston law firm of Barnes & Turner in 1983. In 1988, Sylvester was elected to the Texas House of Representatives to serve the people of House District 139 in Northwest Houston. He served until his election as mayor, working on the House Appropriations Committee for 21 years and serving as Speaker Pro Tem for three terms. He was appointed to several budget conference committees to help balance the state’s budget and served on the Legislative Budget Board.
Gold sponsors of the event include Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, HNTB Corporation, Oncor Electric Delivery and Texas Central Partners. Silver sponsors are AECOM and Walter P Moore. Bronze sponsors are AGUIRRE RODEN, AIA Dallas, Arrendondo, Zepeda & Brunz, LLC, Cemetrics, Children's Health System of Texas, City of Dallas, City of Dallas - City Plan Commission, City of Frisco, City of Plano, Dahlberg Landscape Design Studio, Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity, DART, Halff Associates, HR&A Advisors, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., Regional Black Contractors Association, Task Force Co-chairs for Technology and Innovative Communities, Turner Construction, UTD Institute for Urban Policy Research and Winstead PC.
About Greater Dallas Planning Council
The mission of GDPC is to shape, promote and advocate a creative sustainable future for the Dallas region. Our membership is comprised of a diverse group of subject matter experts. Our goal—to provide a forum for exploring and developing policies for the betterment of the greater Dallas area—benefits from this diversity. We have members representing both public and private sectors in the following areas: Planning, Engineering, Architecture, Economic, Environment, Communications and Community Representatives. Visit http://www.gdpc.org for more information.
For more information, contact Donna Hegdahl, Executive Director, at (972)717-3500 x222 or via e-mail at donna(at)transsynergy(dot)com.