Back to All Events

Urban Spaceship Conference

  • Wheel & Sprocket (Bay View) 187 East Becher Street Milwaukee, WI, 53207 United States (map)

The Urban Spaceship Conference, a day-long national urbanism conference, is back! The conference explores the intersection of people and place and does a deep dive on top trends, and future ideas in urbanism.

This year's conference theme is the "Streets of NEW Milwaukee," check out the agenda below!

8:00-9:00AM | Arrival, Networking, Light Breakfast & Coffee

9:00-9:10AM | Opening Remarks

Welcome to the Urban Spaceship Conference!

9:10-9:50AM | Confessions of a Developer: The Divine Blueprint for Affordable Housing

Explore the advocacy for tax policies aimed at transforming churches into affordable housing, uncovering a path to address housing affordability challenges.

9:50-10:00AM | Networking Break

10:00-10:40AM | The TIF of the Iceberg

Delve into the intricacies of tax incremental financing policies and how improvements can be made to create more effective and equitable development strategies.

10:00-10:40AM | The Streets of NEW Milwaukee: Advocacy

In this talk, delve into the heart of advocacy efforts shaping the streets of New Milwaukee. Explore the voices and initiatives driving positive change in urban planning, transportation, and community development for a brighter future in the city.

10:40-10:50AM | Networking Break

10:50-11:30AM | The Streets of NEW Milwaukee: The Streets

Continue the exploration of designing pedestrian-friendly urban spaces, waterways, and mixed-use developments in Milwaukee, focusing on further enhancements.

10:50-11:30AM | Accelerating a Future of Proximity and Abundance with Urbanist Startups

Join a conversation about thinking big — really big — at the intersection of technology and urbanism. Learn about some game-changing urbanist startups, what's on the horizon, and how to get involved.

11:30-11:40AM | Networking Break

11:40-12:20PM | Infrastructure is Crumbling Our Minds and Bodies

Reflect on the consequences of car centric infrastructure on our mental and physical well-being, and discuss potential solutions for the future.

12:20-1:30PM | Lunch Break - Offsite*

1:30-2:30PM | SOUP (Support of Urban Projects): Tactical Urbanism

Engage in a pitch event aimed at funding innovative tactical urbanism projects, empowering communities to drive positive change.

  • Hosted by Better Streets MKE

  • Picnic Area at Pulaski Park
    Pulaski Park is an extremely popular greenspace destination for Southsiders in Milwaukee, and is found in the state's most densely populated watershed, the KK River Watershed. Many families from the Polonia and surrounding neighborhoods of Milwaukee visit this park, but have no formal seating areas besides the playground and court benches. Sixteenth Street Community Health Clinic strives to reduce these barriers that would allow Milwaukee residents access to green, healthy, vibrant, and dynamic spaces. SOUP funding would allow us to purchase at least 6 large picnic tables, so that park users can enjoy their outdoor activities in a formal and designated space.  

  • Welcome to Midtown - The Heart of The City!
    We are the Midtown Neighborhood Alliance, a completely grassroots homegrown neighborhood association. In our work over the past years, we’ve learned that Midtown residents top priorities are strengthening relationships in our community and celebrating and beautifying our neighborhood. With your support, Midtown and Midtown residents will embark on a new, multi-year campaign to uplift the beauty of our home with community events (1) celebrating the first ever installation of Midtown Neighborhood identity signs, (2) nurturing our community gardens and (3) expanding access to home maintenance and repairs.

  • Mitchell Street Soundscape
    Mitchell Street Arts (MiSA) will create a one-of-a-kind 'urban soundscape' on Mitchell Street, a year-round public art installation. The project will involve mounting multiple outdoor small speakers to buildings between 7th and 9th to create a synchronized calming auditory environment for pedestrians. The purpose of the soundscape is to increase the walkability of the street, encourage a calming outdoor environment, and promote economic activity for local businesses. Examples of auditory environments the project will produce are live feeds of ocean waves off the coast of Puerto Rico, rainforest sounds, and binaural rhythms for stress reduction. Regular community feedback sessions will inform the soundscape selections.

  • Bill’s Bus Benches
    Passionate spokesperson for human-friendly public space and for all who ride bikes and buses, legendary activist Bill Sell invited ordinary people to come together to participate in our democracy with gentle eloquent persuasion. To carry on his legacy, we are gathering people to dignify neglected bus stops by building benches together.  Inscribed with excerpts of his insightful writing, these bus-stop benches are designed to invite conversations about civic involvement and offer welcoming respite.

2:30-2:40AM | Networking Break

2:40-3:20PM | A City as a National Park - City of Chattanooga

Imagine the transformation of a city into a national park city, exploring the potential benefits and implications of such a unique urban vision.

2:40-3:20PM | The Streets of NEW Milwaukee: Housing & Transportation

This talk explores the dynamic relationship between housing and transportation in the evolving landscape of Milwaukee. Discover how urban planning and infrastructure development are shaping the streets of New Milwaukee, impacting the lives of its residents.

3:20-3:30 | Networking Break

3:30-4:30PM | Urban Spaceship Live Show: Conversation with the Mayor

Join an insightful conversation with the city's mayor, exploring key urban issues and future initiatives aimed at improving the urban experience.

4:30-6:00PM | Happy Hour!

*Lunch is not included in the ticket price - we encourage you to visit the many nearby restaurants in Bay View!

We're excited to be hosting a SOUP session in partnership with Better Streets MKE!

SOUP is a micro-granting initiative rooted in the midwest and adopted around the world to showcase and fund community led projects. Ideas are submitted, vetted, and selected - chosen projects will have the opportunity to pitch at the conference and answer questions from attendees who will be able to vote on their favorite. The project with the most votes receives all of the money raised through ballot sales and other donations to bring their project to life!

  • Do you want to be able to cast your vote for your favorite project? You can purchase the $20 SOUP Ballot add-on with your conference ticket or select an add-on that includes a ballot and an additional donation.

Source: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/630247175267
Previous
August 22

Urban Spaceship IRL
Next
May 8

Urban Spaceship Community Meetup