The Inspire Speakers Series is a monthly lecture circuit featuring nationally renowned experts in various fields of sustainability, as well as local specialists who can share experiences of promoting environmental quality, social equity, and economic vitality in Western Pennsylvania. The theme for our 2014-2015 Inspire Speakers Series is: Creating the Most Livable Places for All.  This means healthy and regenerative buildings, schools, neighborhoods, and cities; thriving communities and economies; socially just places to live; and so much more.

Each lecture is hosted from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Elsie H. Hillman Auditorium at Hill House’s Kaufmann Center.  Networking, food, and drinks begin at 5:00 p.m. and the lectures begin promptly at 6:00 p.m.

May 14th with Charles Montgomery and Chris Koch

Charles Montgomery

Charles Montgomery is an author, community organizer, and social experimenter who blends urban design and psychology to explore how changes to city planning can improve the well-being of people in high-density living while decreasing the effects of human activity on the environment. Montgomery’s latest book, Happy City, takes a look at happy people around the work who transformed grim urban settings into cheerful spaces. Join us at this lecture and gain some insight into how our region can be happier, healthier, and more livable for everyone.

Chris Koch

Chris Koch is CEO of the Design Center, an organization dedicated to design, urban planning and public policy resulting in more livable, equitable and sustainable communities in the Pittsburgh region. Koch, who also co-founded the social enterprise GTECH Strategies in 2006, has provided expertise on urban blight reduction strategies and social entrepreneurship to organizations such as the Brookings Institute, Princeton University, and has been honored at the White House as an emerging leader in the field of social innovation.

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