How we develop and plan for growth is always a hot topic in Chapel Hill and the surrounding area.

David Shreve is the President of Advocates for a Sustainable Albemarle Population, which is an organization based in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Shreve will be delivering a lecture Wednesday at the Chapel Hill Public Library entitled “The Myths that Shape Economic Development.”

“Myths associated with job creation, housing affordability, and broadening of the tax base,” is how Shreve describes the lecture.

Shreve says the lecture will focus on the idea that many of the decisions we make for development are based on assumptions rather than factual evidence.

He says the conversation will focus on key questions; “What are the weaknesses of the rationalizations we often make and the assumptions we make? What does the evidence show us?

“And when you’re dealing with issues of economic development, community clues, jobs, housing affordability, and the like.”

Shreve says his organization, ASAP, has not had policies they can point to of changing the way development is handled in Charlottesville, but says the goal is to educate the public.

He adds there are many similarities to development in Charlottesville and Chapel Hill because of the universities the towns house.

“There are unique considerations when it comes to college towns,” he says. “How they grow. How they develop. Particularly in this age. It’s something I consider a relatively new phenomenon.

“College towns have always been distinct in some ways. But with respect to economic development, and growth, and real estate patterns, we have seen a new structure emerge in the last generation.”

The lecture will begin at six o’clock Wednesday in Room A of the Chapel Hill Public Library and is scheduled to last until eight o’clock with time for questions.

Refreshments will be served.

This event is sponsored by the Chapel Hill Alliance for a Livable Town.

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