Tuesday, May 08, 2001

Wilmington, North Carolina -- In its fourth television documentary, the

University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW) focuses on the explosive

growth occurring along the eastern seaboard. UNCW's newest documentary, Paving the American Dream: Southern Cities, Shores and Sprawl, will air at 8 p.m., Wed., June 20, on public television in North Carolina and South Carolina.

It will also air on public television throughout Maryland, Virginia, North

Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida during the month of June

[air time and dates to be announced].

"The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is dedicated to

fulfilling its mission," says Dr. James R. Leutze, chancellor of UNCW and

host and narrator of the documentary. "We must reach beyond our campus

boundaries to raise awareness and educate the public about issues that not

only affect our state, but our society as a whole."

Growth is exploding along the ecologically fragile coast, especially in

the Southeastern United States. In 1960, eight million people lived along

the coast. That number is expected to reach nearly 23 million by the year

2015 - a staggering 188 percent increase. Inland areas also suffer from

unmanaged growth. Abandonment of city life for quiet suburban surroundings

has created its own set of problems.

Issues such as traffic congestion, air and water pollution, disappearing

farms, forests, and the coastline all lead to a declining quality of life

and environment. But, does the environment have to suffer to have a

prosperous economy? Over the course of the hour-long documentary, viewers will hear from scholars, corporations, politicians, community leaders, and citizens up and down the eastern seaboard who are faced with the day-to-day challenges of growth.

"I want people to walk away from watching Paving the American Dream

with a sense of urgency," says Dr. Leutze. "People must understand that

time is critical. Our environment is riding on it."

Paving the American Dream was made possible with the support of many.

UNCW faculty and staff were responsible for the entire production from

scripting to filming to postproduction. With program concept by Chancellor

James R. Leutze, the documentary was written and directed by Dr. Lou

Buttino, professor of communication studies at UNCW, and filmed and edited

by Dustin Miller with UNCW Television. Executive producer is Elaine Penn

who has produced the university's previous three award-winning

documentaries. Major corporate sponsors are Weyerhaeuser Company

Foundation, Sprint PCS, and the Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort at Wrightsville

Beach.

In addition to the documentary, UNCW will create an Educator's Resource

Web Site designed primarily for public schools. Developed in conjunction

with the Department of Public Instruction, the site will have more than 100

educational activities for school-age children. Students will use history,

science, creative writing, field trips, strategic thinking, and much more to solve growth-related problems. In addition, the site will link to several other organizations focused on smart growth.

The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is a public comprehensive

university which offers a broad range of undergraduate and graduate degree

programs, integrated to include regional engagement and service learning,

an international perspective, an emphasis on the natural environment, and a

proficiency in technology skills.



NOTE TO MEDIA: For more information, you can reach Elaine Penn at

910/962-2657. A Web page containing information about the documentary with resource material for media is expected to be posted by May 21 at

www.uncwil.edu/smartgrowth.