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the New Urbanism and its hollow imita- tions will, over time, result in the conclu- sion that its promises of social, economic, and environmental benefits have been false. • The movement may then be seen as just another fad." In her introductory remarks at the con- ference, Plater-Zyberk threw down the gauntlet: "We must move from the mar- gins,. as objects of media curiosity, to a more central role in reforming urban life. This ambition must be played out on three: battlefields." The New Urbanism already has em- barked on. the first two battles-to do with academia and practice. The third struggle, which concerns polity and has just begun, will determine the ultimate success or fail- ure of the movement How will the Congress for the New Ur- banism fight these battles to reform the de- velopment of America's cities and suburbs in its vision? Through organization, unity, and hard work, say its organizers. "You have been in- vitedhere not so much to learn but because you have something to teach," Duany told the CNU audience. In the morning sessions, participanu attended lectures covering the history of suburban development, identified many of today's important development issues, discussed the need for a common termi- nology, and sought to establish standards for the New Urbanism's planning and development. ]n the afternoons, architects and plan- ners presented their current work so that participants could both critique and learn from such diverse urban projects as the Santa Monica Civic Center and South Miami's downtown redevelopment plan. (See illustrations on preceding pages.) Future conferences, commented archi- teaBoris Dramov of ROMA Design Group in San Francisco, should explore how the New Urbanism's principles can retrofit exist- ing city and suburban communities, particu- larly on infill sites like former industrial ar- eas, railyards, and military bases. Indeed, many conference speaker, in- cluding Duany, stressed the importance of developing the CNU's implementation strategies-for example, rewriting the codes that affect all development and area prereq- uisite for the success of the CNU's agenda, or working with lenders who say go or po- go to proposed projects. The next three conferences will give par- ticipants the opportunity to discuss ideas and projects in greater detail and forge these implementation strategies. "The future conferences also will try to create alliances to advance our cause," says Calthorpe. "Think of what we can accom- plish if we work together with environmen- talists, historic preservationists, residents of center cities, even residents of older suburbs that are experiencing the same decline that center cities did a generation ago. With such abroad-based alliance, the CNU can really make profound changes for the better in America's metropolitan development" Note: The Congress for the New Urbaairnr will bold its second meeting May 20-23 in Los Angeles: The CNUll it titled "T'be Building; the Blocly acrd the Street, "and n will focztt primarily on center city pla~trring artd development iuues. At present, membasbip is the Congress for the New Urbanism and attendance at its conferences are by imtitation only. -Charles Lockwood Charles Lockwood is the author of seven books about American architecture and cities. 12 Urban Land • Febtztary 1994