It seems to me that at these conferences, it’s much more of a social reunion. Even I saw a few people I’ve come across. Most of the seminars have been decent, but certainly not groundbreaking. Lots of CEQA, a little form-based code, and not so much else. The speakers were also a little less than inspiring, they had planners from Anaheim (no less) discussing how they’ve made density a reality. Anaheim!

There was a walking tour that focused on shopping and the requisite visit of Santana Row, Valley Fair, and San Jose Market Center. Valley Fair and planning are kinda diametrically opposed, or at least malls and good planning that is. Santana Row, while it has many downsides to it, may offer a training opportunity for suburbanites to be more “urban.”

San Jose Market Center however piqued an interest. I asked the concierge whereabouts it is. She informed me that it used to be the old rail yards off Taylor St. I started thinking of the Sacramento rail yards project, and quickly started imagining an urban mixed-use development that had light rail connection and many inviting sidewalks. I soon became disheartened to find yet another strip mall. The only unique aspect I could see was that it used a fair amount of brick. Perhaps the brick will confuse everyone into thinking they’re in one of those east-coast towns. Not only was it another strip mall, it was a veritable who’s who of chain stores and such: Target, Office Depot, Cost Plus, and the like. This was to be highlighted? Absolutely pathetic.

And as far as getting in, I snuck in for free. It was a pretty easy process, just walk around like I belong there. Unfortunately I didn’t get a nifty bag, a lanyard & tag with my name on it, or a bunch of other handouts. I did however get a program that someone left behind. 

 All in all, the conference reinforced for me the old notion that it’s “not what you know, but who you know.”