Topophilia (From Greek topos "place" and -philia, "love of") is a strong sense of place, which often becomes mixed with the sense of cultural identity among certain people and a love of certain aspects of such a place.

We invite facilitators to speak on the topic of place. How do citizens become involved in shaping their community? What are examples of successful developments or projects where a sense of place was at the forefront? How can culture and identity play a role when considering development just as important as all other factors when considering zoning?

Celebrating the collective power of residents and businesses in shaping the identity and future of Colorado Springs, CO. This theme emphasizes the importance of community engagement and active participation while highlighting the shared values, aspirations, and collaborative efforts that unite us towards a common goal.

By fostering a sense of inclusivity and mutual support, COS embraces the diverse voices and talents within the community, harnessing our collective strength to drive positive change and create a vibrant and thriving neighborhood for all.

When communities come together, amazing things can happen. What are the possibilities that can happen when we approach growth differently?

We are looking for case studies and success stories to share to inspire participants to get involved and be part of something bigger in the community.

These participatory sessions will gather people in an informal “think tank” style around a question, problem, issue, or goal of shared interest. Discussions and activities will engage participants as thought partners toward a shared goal (e.g. collaborative problem-solving, brainstorming, workshopping ideas, and planning.).

These sessions aim to build the skills and capacity for resident-led change for diverse leaders distributed throughout the city. Sessions will provide professional or personal development in civic leadership skills, cultivating specific competencies with a direct application to practice and action.

These sessions will be informational for participants, aiming to illuminate specific community issues impacting neighborhoods, and/or models and approaches to addressing those issues. Sessions might highlight specific projects, infrastructure, or approaches to neighborhood change, toward the goal of informing and inspiring participants in their areas of influence.