Just what can we learn from ourselves exactly?

Hard to know now. But after March 27 and 28, we’ll have more of a sense.

On those two days, a bunch of Washington D.C. planners and developers will travel to Cornell University to regal students there with tales of the struggles and triumphs of one of Washington’s most crane-friendly hoods: NoMa.

The conference, now in its fourth year, offers case studies in urban revitalization. Last year, San Francisco’s Yerba Buena was the focus. Prior to that, London’s Thames Gateway got the spotlight, according to Beth Kunz, events coordinator for Cornell University College of Architecture, Art and Planning.

The conference planners started tossing around the idea about NoMa soon after last year’s event because, apparently,”transit-oriented development is kind of a hot commodity,” says Kunz.  NoMa —-with its redline Metro station, and copious digging and lifting machines—-fit the bill.

The conference’s two day line-up includes, among others,NoMa BID president Elizabeth Price, developer James J. Curtis III, and artist David Batchelor, known for his fancy light fixture art, who will be completing a public project in NoMa.

In addition to her Saturday talk, Office of Planning Director Harriet Tregoning will be leading a class with undergrad and grad students.