Recognizing that suburban communities are increasingly embracing the concept of public-private development partnerships as a creative economic development tool, the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Seattle is hosting an expert panel discussion to highlight this new trend.

The panel discussion will be held Feb. 9 in the city of Bothell — which represents a well-planned approach addressing sustainability and economic development, according to a ULI Seattle press release — at the University of Washington, Bothell’s North Creek Events Center, 18325 Campus Way N.E. Registration and networking will begin at 7:30 a.m., followed by a breakfast program and media question-and-answer session, and will finish with a tour of downtown Bothell at 10:15 a.m.

“Forward-thinking communities are becoming more effective in land management and see public land as an important resource in creating sustainable, smart urban environments,” said Kelly Mann, executive director of ULI Seattle.

Peter Calthorpe, a principal at Calthorpe Associates (Berkeley, Calif.), will be the keynote speaker. His new book is titled “Urbanism in the Age of Climate Change.”

Daniel Friedman, a dean at the University of Washington College of Built Environments, will moderate.

Panelists will be Bothell City Manager Bob Stowe; Ron Sher, a principal at Sher Partners in Seattle; and John Finke, director of the National Development Council in Seattle.

For information, visit ULI Seattle’s Web site or call (800) 321-5011.