NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO FOR A LIVING,
YOU CAN HELP REVITALIZE THE FUTURE FOR ALL
AS A RISING PLACES Planner (RPP)
Help Cure Local Economic, Environmental And Social Ills. (revitalization)
Prevent Those Ills Locally, Even As They Get Worse Globally. (resilience)
Help Your Employer Grow Resilient Prosperity. (revitalization + resilience)
RPP CERTIFICATION: YOUR BRIDGE TO BRIGHT NEW CAREER, OR A BRIGHTER OLD CAREER
Available to all, RISING PLACES Planner certification is especially useful for youth. It provides a thorough understanding of the “big picture” regarding the industries, disciplines and trends that are helping places recover, revitalize and build their disaster resilience. It doesn’t qualify you for any specific profession: it makes you better at any profession that improves our world.
RISING PLACES PlannerTM certification does that. It can be a stand-alone credential, or an enhancement of professions such as law, architecture, engineering, ecology, public policy, project management, economic development or municipal management. With certification, you can help any community or region revitalize, or become more resilient. Do it professionally, or as a volunteer.
Why focus on strategic process? Strategy is key to leadership success. Implementation process is key to management success. But none of the professionals—planners, architects, engineers, mayors, etc.—who are commonly put in charge of revitalization and resilience initiatives have any training in strategic process, so most such efforts fail. As a certified RISING PLACES Planner,
you will plug that crucial gap, and help bring regenerative growth success to the table.
INAUGURAL SALE: Enroll TODAY to save $50!
The three RISING PLACES Planner courses are $75 each.
You normally save $26 by enrolling in the Complete Program for $199.
But, act NOW and you get a $50 discount on Complete Program tuition.
That’s a total of only $149 for your full tuition.
THIS MONTH'S FEATURED ORGANIZATION: JACOBS ENGINEERING GROUP
This global giant is learning how to leverage construction projects into
ongoing, community-wide revitalization and resilience programs.
“Jacobs teams are excited to work with RECONOMICS Institute to develop high-impact programs for our clients in cities and regions worldwide. I first met Storm Cunningham, Executive Director of RECONOMICS Institute, during his landmark work for the Governor of Montana. RECONOMICS Institute is leading the way in developing effective
and efficient programmatic approaches to community-scale renewal and resilience.”
- Christopher Allen, Senior Consultant – Sustainability and Resilience, Jacobs
Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. is a global AEC (architecture, engineering, construction)
firm with over 57,000 employees and over $12 billion in annual revenues.
(Photo shows Jacobs headquarters in Dallas, Texas)
3 EASY STEPS: ENROLL. LEARN. ACT.
01. Enroll in the Complete RPP Program
If you prefer one course at a time—enroll in Course 1 (then Courses 2 & 3, as each is completed) at $75 each.
Enrolling in the Complete Program is just $199, saving you $26.
But, our current Inaugural discount gives you $50 off, for a total of only $149.
Enrollment also entitles you to a free 3-year subscription (or extension, if you already subscribe) to REVITALIZATION, our journal, with access to its 8-year archive of over 10,000 articles.
02. Read the 3 books that comprise the curriculum, and then take the 42 online tests
At universities, curricula evolve slowly, so reading lists keep courses current. We skip the outdated curriculum, and simply assign the ideal reading list. It's the same 3 books relied on by hundreds of NGOs, government agencies and universities worldwide: The RE Trilogy, which comprises The Restoration Economy (Course One), Rewealth (Course Two) and RECONOMICS (Course Three). We also use the university cost model: the textbooks are purchased by the students, and are not included in the tuition (shipping books worldwide is problematic). If you don’t already own these three acclaimed books, you can obtain them (print or e-book, new or used) from Amazon, or from bookstores worldwide. Take as much or as little time as you want to read the 3 books and take the 42 online tests (enrollment doesn't expire).
When you finish Course Three, you’ll receive your diploma as a certified RISING PLACES Planner, and can proudly put RPP after your name, as in Clark Kent, RPP. As long as you maintain a subscription to our journal ($9.99/year) and to our Continuing Education ($4/month), your certification remains current. You can even subscribe to our Continuing Education resources before you enroll.
03. OPTIONAL (free): Get trained to use RISING PLACES Tools for effective local action
After reading the course material, you now understand why affordable, transit-accessible housing is key to diverse, healthy economies. You know how green, resilient infrastructure is key to boosting quality of life. And you know how repurposing, renewing & reconnecting natural, built and socioeconomic assets produces resilient prosperity. So you now need a practical tool to turn your knowledge into action. At the end of 2023, RISING PLACES,TM with our leading-edge tools, goes live. As an RPP, this is your superpower.
With it, government agencies, non-profits and foundations can quickly and easily implement the RECONOMICS Process in a community or region, with a specific focus on three crucial elements: equitable economic growth, affordable housing and quality of life. RISING PLACES combines state-of-the-art social media, team collaboration, mapping and program management tools, engaging all stakeholders in the ongoing process of creating resilient prosperity. It creates forums to address specific neighborhoods or agendas (historic preservation, brownfields, etc.). It facilitates partnerships and the launch of new projects. Any local resident or leader (public or private) can participate free of charge. But only a certified RPP--as an expert on the RECONOMICS Process--can be the site administrator.
The RISING PLACES Tools software training is included in your tuition, and only certified RPPs can take it (as often as you wish). These quarterly classes will take place at noon Eastern U.S. time to be convenient for Europe, Africa and the Americas.
“For over 20 years, our network of NGOs has improved the well-being of communities worldwide. So, we’re very happy to see
our members enrolling in RECONOMICS Institute’s excellent program to get certified as RISING PLACES Planners.“
– Dr. Taj Hamad, Chairman, World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations
“We are recommending that having a certified RISING PLACES Planner on staff be added to our eligibility criteria for projects and programs soliciting funding for climate-smart disaster recovery / resilience, urban redevelopment and rural revitalization.“ – World Bank Group
“Of the many credentials that have emerged in the past decade, the RISING PLACES Planner program
plugs what might be the most crucial—and common—gap in urban and regional management skills.
This new discipline embodies trend towards holistic, strategic, programmatic community renewal,
and away from outdated dependence on plans, branding, megaprojects and employer incentives.” – EPA
“As a seasoned attorney, I have a high threshold that any certification needs to meet before I invest time, energy and trust pursuing it.
The RISING PLACES Planner program is at the top of my very short list. Less than 3 months after graduating,
I’m applying my new insights to guiding a massive environmental restoration & regional revitalization initiative.
Without this certification, I would have missed important opportunities to contribute real value.” – Sal Orofino, RPP
WHAT CAN A RISING PLACES PLANNER DO FOR THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY?
No matter how many talented musicians you have, they won't perform Beethoven's Ninth until they are an orchestra. Communities are in a similar situation. Most have talented leaders, planners, architects, engineers and developers, but won't produce a better future until they coalesce into a cohesive program. With that, they can create a local version of the RECONOMICS Process: Their program is the orchestra; their vision & strategy are the conductor; their policymakers, partnerships & project participants are the musicians.
A RISING PLACES Planner thus has three key roles, all of which are made far more efficient and effective with the use of our new online RISING PLACES Tools (see above):
(1) Help the community or region create the ongoing program;
(2) After the program is created, help them add the remaining five elements of the RECONOMICS Process;
(3) Once the process is in place, provide ongoing training and guidance to help it function smoothly.
The Rising Places Planner (RPP) certification:
- Positions youth for a career that improves the future in which they must live; and
- Helps established professionals enhance their career and personal satisfaction by applying their existing skills to revitalizing places and making them more resilient.
There are over 100 professions contributing to community revitalization and resilience by improving our natural, built and socioeconomic environments. These include:
- engineers renovating and greening transportation, water and power infrastructure;
- architects restoring and adaptively reusing old buildings;
- landscape architects greening cities and rejuvenating parks;
- ecologists working on reforestation and ecosystem restoration;
- economists, urban planners, policy experts and elected officials revitalizing cities & regions;
- economic developers promoting communities to attract employers;
- chemists and biologists remediating contaminated properties;
- lawyers, accountants and insurance experts financing and negotiating all of the above.
While all of these essential professionals contribute to improving places, few actually have any training in the principles, processes and practices of revitalization and resilience. Those with such knowledge are generally far more successful. This is where the Rising Places Planner (RPP) micro-certification comes in. It enhances any specialty that deals with societies, economies or ecologies. RPP-certified professionals help grow their organizations, since growing economies and improving quality of life are perennial, universal goals that reliably attract funding.
DO YOU ENJOY PUBLIC SPEAKING?
Enroll now and—upon graduation—you’ll receive a world-class 100-slide PowerPoint presentation, so you can immediately start doing powerful talks and seminars. You can add, delete and edit slides as needed, customizing it to the unique focus and priorities of any client or audience. It’s for your use only, and can’t be sold or given away. You’ll also receive a link to a Zoom recording of an actual keynote done in July of 2020 using this presentation, so you can see & hear how to use it most effectively.ENROLL IN THE COMPLETE PROGRAM TO SAVE TIME & MONEY
COMPLETE PROGRAM: Enroll in all 3 courses and save.
The RISING PLACES Planner (RPP) program comprises
3 courses. Each is based on a book (NOT included in your tuition):
Course 1: The Restoration Economy
Course 2: Rewealth
Course 3: RECONOMICS
Quick & Easy: Avoid enrolling in & paying for each course individually. Save $26: Tuition is just $199 ($225 - $26 Complete Program discount).
INAUGURAL SALE: Enroll NOW to save $50 (just $149 total!).
COURSE ONE
Course One of the RISING PLACES Planner (RPP) certification program covers "History, Taxonomy & Principles."
It comprises 15 online tests.
Tuition for Course One is $75.
The required reading & entire course content is the classic 2002 book, The Restoration Economy (Berrett-Koehler). NOT included in tuition. You must take the three courses in order. Course One is a prerequisite of Course Two, and both are prerequisites of Course Three.
COURSE TWO
Course Two of the RISING PLACES Planner (RPP) certification program covers "Best Practices & Worst Problems."
It comprises 15 online tests.
The required reading & entire course content is the groundbreaking 2008 book, reWealth (McGraw-Hill). NOT included in tuition.
Tuition for Course Two is $75.
Course One is a prerequisite of enrolling in Course Two.
COURSE THREE
Course Three of the RISING PLACES Planner (RPP) program covers "Leading Edge Strategies & Emerging Trends."
It comprises 12 online tests. The required reading & entire course content is the revolutionary 2020 book, RECONOMICS (the online version is FREE to enrollees & REVITALIZATION subscribers).
Tuition for Course Three is $75.
Courses One & Two are prerequisites of enrolling in Course Three.
ENROLL NOW, BUT PROCEED AT YOUR OWN PACE:
The program comprises 3 courses/books + 42 quick online tests.
Complete it in a couple of weeks, or take as long as you want.
If you take an entire Course’s Tests per day, it takes 3 days to complete the Program (not including reading the 3 books).
NOTE: The 3 books of required reading are NOT included in your tuition. Our students are worldwide, making book delivery problematic. (Besides, most enrollees already possess one or more of the RE Trilogy books.)
IN A HURRY TO GET CERTIFIED?
Take the tests as you read the books.
The Tests and Questions appear in the same order as the book text, so you can learn and get certified simultaneously.
Each of the 42 Tests is based on a book chapter, so Test lengths vary with the chapter lengths.
You’ll be told at the beginning of each Test how many Questions it has, so you’ll know if you have sufficient time to take it.
If you fail a Test (passing grade is 70%), you can retake it as many times as needed, since the goal is learning, not attrition.
THE RE TRILOGYTM
Required reading in local governments and universities around the globe, these 3 books also guide national policy development.
U.S. federal agencies using the RE Trilogy: Dept. of Commerce; Dept. of State; Dept. of Defense; EPA; FEMA; HUD; NOAA & USAID.
“Two books, The Restoration Economy and Rewealth, strongly influenced my approach to community economic development.
So, when RECONOMICS was published, and the RPP program was announced, I enrolled immediately.
It’s the perfect next step in my career growth!” – Julia Oxarango-Ingram, PCED
CEO, CrossRoads Concepts & Consulting; former Director, Southern Idaho Rural Development
Starting with the rebuilding of Lisbon after the earthquake and tsunami of 1755, these three seminal books cover the past, present and future of recovery, revitalization and resilience. Despite their importance, they are fun to read; written in a very accessible, conversational style.
The Restoration Economy
Buy It On Amazon
"The Restoration Economy is an extremely important and fascinating book." - Amos Brandeis, Architect & Urban/Regional Planner, Vice Chairman of Israel Planners' Association.
"This book is an original, a first! I profited from it greatly, and I quote from it in my speeches." - William H. Hudnut III, 4-term Mayor of Indianapolis
"Little more than a year after being published, The Restoration Economy is already being hailed by business, political, environmental, and academic leaders as a modern classic. Few books in recent times have so quickly and effectively reshaped our dialogue and assumptions about the future of economic development at the community, corporate, and global levels." - Tim Fields, Senior Vice President, Tetra Tech; Ass't Administrator, Solid Waste & Emergency Response, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
"The Restoration Economy is required reading here at Weston Solutions." - Bill Robertson, Chairman, Weston Solutions, & Assoc. Chief of Engineers at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
"This is a landmark work, extremely well written and developed." - Mark Stewart, Senior Vice President, Intrado, Inc.
"Storm Cunningham really nails it: The Restoration Economy is THE book for 21st Century corporate and political leaders! - Dr. Robert Rosen, CEO, Healthy Companies Int'l
reWealth
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"This is the book world leaders should be talking about! ...they will find the path to revitalizing our economy, restoring our environment, and renewing the quality of our lives." - Bill Leary, Director of Natural Resources, White House Council on Environmental Quality
"Every business and government executive in the world needs to read this book twice! Absolutely brilliant..." - Eric Garland, CEO, Competitive Futures, Inc., and author of Future, Inc.
"reWealth is the secret weapon of responsible redevelopers, successful real estate investors, and effective community leaders." - George L. Ochs, Managing Director, Global Real Assets, JP Morgan (London)
"All national politicians and community leaders should be forced to read reWealth." - George Canetti, Senior Business Developer, Ameresco Canada
"Revitalization guru Storm Cunningham's new book contains your future. I was hooked by the time I'd finished the Introduction." - Will Koroluk, Construction Columnist, Daily Commercial News
"Storm Cunningham is so far ahead of the community revitalization game, I'm in awe.” - Sarah Sieloff, Executive Director, Center for Creative Land Recycling
RECONOMICS
Buy It On Amazon
“RECONOMICS should be mandatory reading for all Mayors, Chief Executives and Directors of Planning in cities and regions.” – Rick Finc, Principal, RFA Development Planning, Edinburgh, Scotland
“Storm Cunningham’s RECONOMICS is very concentrated, highly sophisticated, and stunningly accurate.” – Merrit Drucker, Clean & Green Coordinator at Anacostia Waterfront Trust, Washington, DC
“Storm’s RECONOMICS book transformed our latest project, which uses his 3Re strategy.” – Doumafis F. Lafontant, Director, Lower Roxbury Coalition, Boston, Massachusetts
“Storm Cunningham’s RECONOMICS hits the nail on the head!” - Nalin Seneviratne, Director of City Centre Development, Sheffield City Council, Sheffield, England
“Storm Cunningham’s RECONOMICS Process raises the bar for community and regional revitalization. It’s a powerful package, succinctly capturing the process that we have doggedly tried to identify over time, not always knowing the next step. The RECONOMICS Process brings a holistic dimension to redevelopment, inextricably linking vision and task.” – Eric Bonham, P.Eng, Board of Partnership for Water Sustainability in British Columbia, Director, BC Ministry of Environment and Director, BC Ministry of Municipal Affairs
“RECONOMICS distinguishes Storm from other development experts in its comprehensive understanding of systems. He underscores the importance of process in achieving revitalization and resilience, which is crucial in this time of upheaval.” -- Rev. Dr. Steven E. Berry; Solarfest Trustee, former Vermont State Representative (July 2020)
“RECONOMICS is required reading in the urban studies class I teach, and it should be required reading for every course on
planning, economic development, public administration, economics and environmental management.”
– Robin West Smith, Adjunct Professor, Urban Studies and Sociology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
TODAY, RISING PLACES PLANNERS ARE MOSTLY IN NORTH AMERICA & EUROPE. BUT THEY ARE NEEDED EVERYWHERE, BECAUSE MOST CITIES’ & REGIONS’ RENEWAL EFFORTS ARE FAILING
Today, it’s hard to find a place that doesn’t want to boost their resilience.
It’s equally hard to find a place that doesn’t need some form of revitalization.
But it’s easy to find the reason why 85% of such efforts are failing to make a significant impact.
That reason? Failure to link resilience and revitalization via a strategic process. This is especially wasteful because both resilience and revitalization are based on the same activities and investments: repurposing, renewing and reconnecting our natural, built and socioeconomic assets. Resilience initiatives shouldn’t just aim to protect economies and quality of life: they should enhance them. The synergy is natural: resilience should revitalize, and revitalization should be resilient. Resilient prosperity is thus the universal goal, but leaders need a reliable process to deliver it. That’s where you come in.
If you’re already enrolled, and are logged-in, you’ll see a blue “Enrolled” tag on your course below. Click it to take your tests.
(Don’t worry: there’s a MUCH easier way to find and take your tests once you’re enrolled.
There’s even a “resume” button that takes you to where you left off, in case you get interrupted.)
NOTE: Please be sure that you are prepared to read the 1000+ pages
of course materials contained in the 3 “required reading” books.
Universities don’t refund your tuition if you don’t do your coursework, and neither do we.
If you’re not yet enrolled, see below to learn more.
RISING PLACES Planner: Complete Program
RISING PLACES Planner: Course One
RISING PLACES Planner: Course Two