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.

Related Stories
‹
OWASA's Extensive West Rosemary Street Project Begins on Oct. 20. Here Are The Details
OWASA plans to begin its construction Monday, Oct. 20 to replace a water main on Rosemary Street in downtown Chapel Hill.
Kenan Stadium to Host Savannah Bananas in 2026
Banana Ball is coming to Chapel Hill. Kenan Stadium will host the Savannah Bananas exhibition baseball team in April 2026 as part of the team’s Banana Ball World Tour, the school announced Thursday night. Chapel Hill was one of a number of host sites selected during the Bananas’ City Selection Show. Ready to go BANANAS […]
Chapel Hill: Affordable Housing Report, 9 Story Development, Rosemary St. Closure
Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, October 9, discussing town news and events. She discussed Wednesday night's town council meeting, which saw an affordable housing report, a vote on a nine-story development on MLK, an upcoming closure to Rosemary Street, and more.
On the Porch: Emily Sutton - Riverkeeper for The Haw
This Week: Emily Sutton is the Executive Director of Haw River Assembly ("HRA") as well as being the Haw Riverkeeper. She joined the staff of Haw River Assembly in 2016, managing citizen science projects to watchdog against sediment pollution and monitor the tributaries and main stem of the Haw River. She has been Haw Riverkeeper since 2018, leading the fight for HRA against pollution in the Haw River on many fronts, including emerging contaminants, Jordan Lake nutrients, and sediment pollution. She is a current member of the NC Sedimentation Control Commission. Emily grew up paddling rivers in the Midwest, and moved to North Carolina to receive her B.A at Appalachian State University in Sustainable Development, where she studied Agroecology, Watershed Ecology, and Outdoor Education. Emily lives in Durham, NC.
Community Home Trust Recognized with Statewide Innovative Affordable Housing Award
An Orange County nonprofit recently took home a statewide award for helping make homes permanently affordable for a group facing eviction.
Chapel Hill: Football Gamedays, New Police Station, North Carolina Starter's Launch
Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, October 2, discussing town news and events. She talked about football gameday impacts on downtown businesses, including an upcoming study with the university, the Chamber, and the visitor's bureau to measure that impact. She discussed the Chapel Hill Police getting their new headquarters up and running. The talked about a recent trip to Raleigh with some of the economic development for the North Carolina Starter's Launch, and more.
'Elated Every Time They Come In': A Look at the New Chapel Hill Police Station
Chapel Hill Police will begin formally working out of 7300 Millhouse Road on Monday. Before that, they opened their doors to local media.
Chapel Hill: Development Project Updates, Local Zoning for UNC Projects in Jeopardy
Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, September 26, discussing town news and events. She gave updates on three development projects from the town council meeting on Wednesday, including a large housing development on Weaver Dairy Road. She also discussed a move in the state legislature to limit local authority over construction projects for UNC. She also talked about upcoming events in the community and more.
The 5:00 News - Social Media Firing, Bad Football Loss, Local Government
The Hill's Andrew Stuckey presents the afternoon news. Included in this edition of the news, we learn of an Orange County correctional employee being fired after a conservative group flagged what the Sheriff's office called "concerning social media posts." We check in on a local government meeting schedule for the day. We hear a story from Carolina Connection on Playmakers Repertory Company's current production, "The Royale," and more. In sports, we get a recap of UNC's brutal 34-9 loss on the road against the University of Central Florida. We check the rest of the weekend's sports results, including two big wins for field hockey, and more.
On Air Today: 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro.com Social Media Manager Henry Taylor
The Hill and Chapelboro.com Social Media Manager Henry Taylor spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Monday, September 22. He discussed social media in the news, including a recent firing in Orange County over social media posts.  He also discussed an upcoming Instagram Reel highlighting some of our pets. He encouraged folks to follow and add us on social media by searching @wchlChapelboro, and more.
›