Memphis and Shelby County Schools are in the midst of a $630 million, 10-year program to build and renovate schools.ÊÊThe only real public debate has been who will build them, at what price, and the cost of City schools vs. County schools.

But other communities are asking a whole new set of questions about the schools they areÊÊbuilding.ÊÊIs it necessary for schools to stand empty half the time?ÊÊIf we build schools to serve multiple purposes, can we save money and get better schools?ÊÊHow can we make schools the centers of our communities?ÊÊ

Well get the answers on this week's Smart City.ÊÊOur guest is Steven Bingler, president of Concordia Inc., a research and planning firm, and Concordia Architects in New Orleans.ÊÊSteven is at the forefront of a national movement to re-connect schools to their communities.ÊÊWell find out how cities around the country are building better environments for learning andÊsaving money.

Listen Sunday, April 8, 9 a.m. on 90.1 or 91.1 FM on the WKNO stations.Ê