GSS-SET Central  

Builing Open Opportunity Structures Together: 21st Century Approaches to 21st Century Challenges and Opportunity.. BOOST was formed in 2005 in direct response to redevelopment and from then until now, has had success in the developing, promoting, and coordinating dozens of educational forums highlighting the need for local community inclusion in the real estate planning and decision-making processes that affect and impact them. The efforts have included Community Building Forums, policy workshops; focus sessions, redevelopment site tours, and real-time and on-line social networking activities and all have included citizens, real estate developers, public officials, academics, and industry-specific professionals. We have covered such topics as workforce development, smart growth, green building, sustainable community design, eminent domain, arts as a driver of urban renewal, greening practices for homes and businesses, and community benefits agreements (CBA’s). This year’s featured BOOST Program, Green, Smart, and Sustainable Stakeholder Education and Training (GSS-SET), is the natural outgrowth of three year’s of community organizing and education, relationship building, and a response to the growing need for timely, relevant, reliable, and well-structured information about green building, sustainable design, and smart growth.