LAI: new challenges, opportunities and growth.

This is an exciting time for Lambda Alpha International (LAI), the honorary land economics society established in 1930. As President of the New York Chapter and a member of the Board of Governors for the last three years, I have participated in and have observed the growth of an organization which has become truly international. On November 10, 1994 a Chapter in Mexico City was chartered by LAI, opening the gateway to Latin America and adding to LAI's international Chapters in Bombay, London, New Delhi, Ottawa and Vancouver. The international Chapters compliment the dozens of Chapters in the United States, spanning from New York in the East to Memphis in Mid-America to San Francisco and Hawaii in the West.

Goals

The exchange of information and ideas relating to land economics continues to be a primary goal of LAI. The membership of LAI includes outstanding individuals from many parts of the world who have distinguished themselves in all of the various disciplines and activities that relate to the use and re-use of land. These individuals include not only those who are involved in the ownership, management, regulation and conservation of land, but also those who are involved in its development, redevelopment and preservation. The membership includes architects, engineers, real estate developers, planners, government officials, professors, bankers, attorneys, real estate consultants and officials of organizations such as the Mortgage Bankers and the National Association of Realtors.

The diversity of this membership provides an unusual reservoir of talent, knowledge and expertise to draw upon for educational programs and discussions. This reservoir in turn attracts others with talent, knowledge, and expertise to the educational activities of LAI at both the International and Chapter level.

The New York Chapter continues to attract the best of New York into the ranks of the organization. The New York Chapter membership is comprised of prominent individuals who have been recognized for their achievements in real estate development, urban studies, regional planning and land economics. Developer Sam LeFrak, Paul Crotty, Corporation Counsel, Steven Spinola, REBNY President, Dr. Calvin Butts, III of the Abyssinian Baptist Church, Felice Michetti, former HPD Commissioner and Starrett Development President and Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer are among the most recent inductees to the New York Chapter.

In addition to recognizing and honoring men and women in all parts of the world whose achievements have contributed to the advancement of the science of land economics, the aims and purposes of LAI are as follows:

* To encourage and support the study of land economics and support the highest ideals of scholarship and integrity for all fields - professional, business, governmental and academic - in which land economics is studied or practiced;

* To expand the world's knowledge and understanding of the principles of land economics and encourage and support the application of such principles to both public policy and private endeavor;

* To take those actions and support those ideas, individually and collectively, which contribute to the enrichment of our urban and rural environment and benefit the quality of human life; and

* To advance a close working bond and mutual understanding among men and women engaged in all disciplines and activities related to land economics.

Educational Activities

In recent years, educational programs have become an increasingly important part of the activities of LAI. Educational seminars are offered by LAI as an important part of its regular program. The lectures given and papers presented at such seminars are published in book form and are a major contribution to the published literature relating to land economics. In addition, LAI's Biennial International Congress contains at least one full day of an educational program focusing upon land economics. Through this educational forum, and through the educational programs presented at the Chapter level, members of LAI and the public have a unique opportunity to increase their knowledge of land economic activities and broaden their understanding of particular land economic issues.

LAISA 

To encourage and assist students who have demonstrated interest in the fields of real estate, land economics and related areas, local Chapters have sponsored Lambda Alpha International Student Associations (LAISA groups). The New York Chapter boasts two LAISA groups, one at New York University's Real Estate Institute and one at Hofstra University's School of Law. LAISA activities are designed to encourage projects in which students can interface with active LAI members in the public, private and academic sectors of the real estate industry.

International Archives

In 1968, LAI established the Lambda Alpha Literary Archives at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Under the terms of its agreement with Cornell, the Department of Manuscripts and Archives at Cornell was designated as a repository for archival material of both the organization and its members. Since the program was established, research papers and the published works of more than 100 members have been collected and catalogued. Outstanding professionals in the fields of architecture, city and regional planning, economics, banking and real estate have contributed to this collection. The archives also contain various records of the international organization and its local chapters. The Archives program is intended to preserve the archival materials, and to make them accessible to members, scholars and researchers. Cornell University was selected as the appropriate repository because of Cornell's large holdings in the fields of architecture and city and regional planning. Cornell's collections document the founding and early development of the planning profession, the work of architects and landscape architects, and the development of zoning. Its collections also contain current work in these fields.

Land Economics Foundation

The Land Economics Foundation of LAI is a charitable research and education fund. The purposes of the fund are:

* To encourage and support the study of land economics and support the highest ideals of scholarship and integrity for all fields - professional, business, governmental and academic - in which land economics is studied or practiced;

* To expand the world's knowledge and understanding of the principles of land economics and encourage and support the application of such principles to both public policy and private endeavor;

* To make available scholarships relating to land economics;

* To provide grants for research projects relating to land economics.

The Land Economics Foundation of LAI is a not for profit organization qualified as an exempt organization under Section 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Foundation is funded by contributions from its members and other interested parties. These funds are invested and the yields are allocated by the Trustees to support and fund the objectives of the Foundation throughscholarships, educational programs, recognition awards and other activities consistent with the purposes of the Foundation.

LAI Men and Women

The members of LAI are men and women from all parts of the world whose achievements have contributed, directly or indirectly, to the advancement of the science of land economics, to a better understanding of the principles of land economics, or to the practical application of such principles in the preservation, development or better utilization of the world's land resources. Through its activities on the international level, as well as in local Chapters, LAI provides a unique opportunity for interaction with recognized leaders of many real estate related businesses, professions and disciplines. The opportunity to exchange ideas with this distinguished membership provides both tangible and intangible benefits. Perhaps the greatest benefit is the opportunity to deal with problem areas from the perspective of many different disciplines. If planners talk only to planners, architects talk only to architects, and attorneys talk only to attorneys, it is difficult to achieve solutions to complex problems which cut across the specific areas of knowledge and expertise.

LAI is almost unique in its ability to assemble leadership from all areas when a land economics problem is involved. Membership is achieved by invitation only and represents a high level of recognition and esteem by one's colleagues. Individuals who wish to obtain more information about LAI can call [phone].