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Flood Insurance and Design Requirements
Planning for Post-Disaster Recovery Briefing Paper 6June 01, 2014This Planning for Post-Disaster Recovery briefing paper discusses the three most important steps that a community can take to set itself up for a successful — and resilient — long-term recovery from a flood event. -
Enhancing Strategic Planning with Massive Scenario Generation
2007by: Paul Davis, Steven Bankes, Michael EgnerThis report discusses new methods for generating a large number of scenarios for geopolitical scenario planning. -
Principles for Autonomous Vehicle Policy
APA has developed a set of policy principles designed to make it easier for decision makers to integrate AVs within the fabric of their communities through planning, design, placemaking, and infrastructure investments. -
User-Centered Planning
Whether you’re designing an application form, creating a departmental web page, or implementing a digital solution, it should all start with the user.February 01, 2020A framework intended to help planning departments become more user-centered as a strategy to achieve their missions. This journey starts with — you guessed it — the user. -
Green Building
Green building encompasses a wide range of planning, design, and construction practices that seek to improve the environmental performance of buildings. This collection catalogs resources that provide background and policy guidance or demonstrate how cities and counties are using plans, regulations, and programs to require or incentivize green building practices. -
Racine County, WI, Code of Ordinances
Updated February 2020The county's subdivision ordinance addresses solar design, encouraging solar orientation for streets, lots, and buildings, allowing for solar access easements, and encouraging tree plantings that minimize solar access impacts. The county’s zoning code also includes floodplain development regulations that exceed the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s minimum requirements. -
The Future of Age-Friendly Communities - Research on Aging
Stein Institute for Research on Aging, November 2015by: Laurence WeinsteinThis recorded lecture defines and discusses the dual concepts of livable communities and livable homes. -
Oregon Forestland-Urban Interface Protection Act
Revised Statutes §477, 1997by: State of OregonThis statute by the State of Oregon, known as the Oregon Defensible Space Law establishes building construction and design requirements for efficient wildfire management. It aims to achieve the goal of public and private owner education and awareness about wildfire hazards. -
Building Resilience with Scenario Planning: An Interview with Dr. Robert Goodspeed
Sponsored content from University of Michigan: Q&A with Dr. Robert Goodspeed, University of Michigan Associate Professor of Urban and Regional Planning, who is launching a 3-day course on Scenario Planning for Urban Futures. -
Resilience Strategies along the Rural-Urban Transect
2015This report provides guidance for identifying and prioritizing actions using a “rural-to-urban transect” planning tool. -
Suwanee, GA, Suwanee's 20/20 Vision
2020This standalone policy is the guiding vision leading city officials and the projects that are considered or implemented. -
Zoning for Universal Design and Visitability
Zoning Practice — April 2006by: Jennifer Evans-Cowley, FAICP April 01, 2006This issue of Zoning Practice takes a look at a number of communities that have incorporated universal design and visability principles into their building and zoning codes.List Price$10.00ZP subscriber$0.00 -
The Heat Is On
With climate change pushing temperatures ever higher, cities must develop plans for extreme heat — especially in places with vulnerable populations.August 01, 2020To cope with rising heat, cities need specific urban heat management plans or climate adaptation plans that focus on strategies like modifying the cities' design. -
Autonomous Vehicles
Autonomous and connected vehicle technology is expected to transform the nation’s transportation system over the coming decades, with major implications for the planning and design of cities and regions. This collection catalogs resources that provide background, policy guidance, and examples of plans that address autonomous vehicles. -
The Problem (and Opportunity) of A/C
February 01, 2019The world is poised to dramatically increase its use of air conditioning. Planners must advocate for more trees, better design and placement of buildings, and other creative local cooling techniques. -
Using Smart Growth and Universal Design to Link the Needs of Children and the Aging Population
Family-Friendly Communities Briefing Papers 2by: Rana Abu Ghazaleh, Esther Greenhouse, George Homsy, AICP, Mildred Warner June 01, 2011This brief explains how multigenerational planning creates new coalition-building opportunities; why civic participation and engagement is essential for all age groups; and why an understanding of the needs of multiple generations is essential to smart growth and sustainable design and development. -
Model Regulations: Alternative Energy
Sustainable Land Use Code Project, February 2013This model ordinance from the Capitol Region Council of Governments covers alternative energy sources including solar energy, offering model code provisions for small accessory rooftop systems, accessory and primary-use ground-mounted arrays, and solar design and solar-ready home requirements. -
Zoning and Land-Use Tools in the Wildland-Urban Interface
Zoning Practice — September 2018by: Anna Read, AICP, Molly Mowery, AICP September 01, 2018This issue of Zoning Practice discusses discusses a range of land-use and development regulations that affect the extent, design, and ultimate safety of development in the wildland-urban interface.List price$0.00ZP subscriber$0.00 -
Hazard Mitigation Policy Guide
by: American Planning Association July 30, 2020APA's Hazard Mitigation Policy Guide positions planners to champion a new approach to mitigation, adaptation, and recovery centered on equity and established research. -
Finding Solutions for Older Adults to Age in Grace
By considering the needs of a burgeoning senior population, planners can promote creative and community-focused housing options.by: Patrick Sisson February 29, 2024By considering the needs of a burgeoning senior population, planners can promote creative and community-focused housing options. -
Ending Zoning’s Racist Legacy
Zoning Practice — January 2022by: Jennifer Raitt January 01, 2022This issue of Zoning Practice summarizes how exclusionary zoning practices reinforce patterns of segregation originally established by illegal racial zoning, racially restrictive covenants, and federal policies in the first half of the 20th century. And it highlights steps Boston and Louisville, Kentucky, have taken to begin to rectify these inequities through zoning reforms.List price$0.00ZP subscriber$0.00 -
Ecological Riverfront Design: Restoring Rivers, Connecting Communities
PAS Report 518/519by: Betsy Otto, Kathleen McCormick, Michael Leccese May 01, 2004Planning and design guidelines in this PAS Report show how to turn urban riverfronts into valuable economic and community assets.List Price$25.00APA member & PAS subscriber$0.00 -
In Praise of the Humble Sidewalk
Nine experts on why accessible sidewalks are the best infrastructure investment communities can make.by: Steve Wright April 27, 2022Nine experts on why accessible sidewalks are the best infrastructure investment communities can make. -
5 Practical Zoning Hacks for Missing Middle Housing
These thoughtful tweaks can help promote housing diversity and density in communities of all sizes.by: Kati Woock March 21, 2022These thoughtful tweaks can help promote housing diversity and density in communities of all sizes. -
4 Tools to Empower Data-driven Planning for Climate and Transportation Equity
Planners can take advantage of the national focus on infrastructure investments to enhance mobility and climate resilience for underserved communities.by: Kelly Dunn, AICP, David Wasserman, AICP July 27, 2023Planners can take advantage of the national focus on infrastructure investments to enhance mobility and climate resilience for underserved communities. -
Hurricane Recovery Fails the Financially Vulnerable
Based on a decade of data from Hurricane Sandy, two New York City planners explore the inequities of disaster mitigation and recovery — and what needs to change to prevent climate gentrification.by: Donovan Finn, PhD, Thaddeus Pawlowski September 30, 2022Based on a decade of data from Hurricane Sandy, two New York City planners explore the inequities of disaster mitigation and recovery — and what needs to change to prevent climate gentrification. -
The New Math of Climate Resilience
A groundbreaking project in Norfolk, Virginia, multiplies the impact of a $112 million federal grant by making social vulnerability and environmental justice, not just property values, major factors in its calculations.by: Jim Morrison April 18, 2024A groundbreaking project in Norfolk, Virginia, multiplies the impact of a $112 million federal grant by making social vulnerability and environmental justice, not just property values, major factors in its calculations. -
Meeting the Big Box Challenge: Planning, Design, and Regulatory Strategies
PAS Report 537by: Jennifer Evans-Cowley, FAICP April 18, 2006How can planners avoid the pitfalls and take advantage of the opportunities presented by big-box stores? This PAS Report offers a guide to planning, design, and regulatory techniques.List Price$25.00APA member & PAS subscriber$0.00 -
Ethics of AI-Enhanced Planning
by: Grant Holub-MoormanUncovering JAPA: Discover how AI-enhanced planning can drive urban development while requiring planners to tackle biases, ensure transparency, safeguard privacy, and engage communities to promote ethical and equitable outcomes. -
Boston Takes on Climate Change
Among the world's most prepared but also the most vulnerable, the city is making big plans to protect itself.by: Anthony Flint April 21, 2021Planners, engineers, and others in Boston have been working for years to prepare for the inevitable impacts of climate change – a projected 40 inches of sea level rise, and the creeping storm surge and high-tide flooding that comes with it. -
Simplify That Code!
Drawing from the new edition of his book, Rural by Design, an experienced observer of rural and small town design reports that "lighter" form-based codes and design standards are being used to great effect.June 01, 2015Planner Randall Arendt, and author of Rural by Design, argues for community adopted form-based codes to help renew depressed downtown sectors. -
Planning for Cities of Awe
March 01, 2016Planners must look for ways to design and manage cities to maximize moments of awe. -
Cities Are for the Birds
February 01, 2015Bird-friendly advocates have questioned the design of the new Minneapolis Vikings’ stadium, which will use immense amounts of clear glass in its design and pose a risk to birds flying in the area. -
The Commissioner — June 2014
June 01, 2014In The Commissioner's June 2014 issue: "Smart Growth’s Lasting Impact," "Managing Change with Urban Design," "Site Visits Done ... Legally," and more.List price$5.00Members & subscribers$0.00 -
Flood Warning
Better subdivision design for drier, safer communities.February 01, 2017APA’s Planning Advisory Service recently updated its report Subdivision Design and Flood Hazard Areas, PAS 584, with detailed information on how to keep communities safe from floods. -
Mother Nature, Designer
Using biomimicry for planning and urban design.March 01, 2014This article explores the concept of biomimicry and how it can translate to city and neighborhood design. -
Green Stormwater Infrastructure
Green stormwater infrastructure uses (or mimics) natural processes to reduce or treat stormwater runoff. This collection catalogs resources that provide background and policy or design guidance, as well as examples that demonstrate how localities are using plans, regulations, and programs to minimize dependence on gray infrastructure for stormwater management. -
Driving the Smart, Just City
Smart cities aren’t just about technology; they’re about making cities work better for all residents.December 01, 2017To ensure a future that is equitable and sustainable, smart cities need planners to apply their traditional talents for creating consensus and facilitating collaboration to smart city design. -
The Commissioner — August 2014
August 01, 2014In The Commissioner's August 2014 issue: "Well-Being Meets Planning," "Shaping Change with Design Guidelines," "Recusal Ethics and Your Right to Free Speech," and more.List price$5.00Members & subscribers$0.00 -
2023 Trend Report for Planners
by: Petra Hurtado, PhD, Sagar Shah, PhD, AICP, Joseph DeAngelis, AICP, Alexsandra Gomez January 24, 2023The 2023 Trend Report for Planners features more than 100 existing, emerging, and potential future trends that APA identified as relevant to planning. The trends are structured within three timeframes (Act Now, Prepare, Learn and Watch), which indicate the urgency of planners’ action. -
Density and the Planning Edge
Zoning Practice — August 2012by: Lisa Nisenson August 01, 2012This issue of Zoning Practice initiates a conversation about design solutions for the planning edge, the space where new density meets the neighborhood, and it presents a framework for planning, design, and regulatory solutions.List Price$10.00ZP subscriber$0.00 -
Introducing the New Tourism Economy
How communities that rely on tourism are courting new industries, highlighting cultural assets, and better supporting the people who live and work there year-round.by: Michelle McCue May 18, 2022How communities that rely on tourism are courting new industries, highlighting cultural assets, and better supporting the people who live and work there year-round. -
3 Insights into the Future of Food Production
From gene editing to space tomatoes, here are some innovative approaches from the "2024 Trend Report for Planners."by: Jon DePaolis March 28, 2024From gene editing to space tomatoes, here are some innovative approaches from the "2024 Trend Report for Planners." -
Accounting for Flood Hazards in the Subdivision Approval Process
Zoning Practice — March 2016by: Chad Berginnis, James Schwab, FAICP March 01, 2016This issue of Zoning Practice highlights specific areas of concern for updating subdivision standards and review processes to improve the management of flood risk. It focuses on geographic features, layout and design, infrastructure, platting, and watershed management.List Price$0.00ZP subscriber$0.00 -
Advance Environmental Justice Goals with This Innovative Health Data Tool
The City Health Dashboard could help communities meet Justice40 mandates, win funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and improve health outcomes for all.by: Linda McIntyre, AICP December 12, 2022The City Health Dashboard could help communities meet Justice40 mandates, win funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and improve health outcomes for all. -
Enlightening Students Through the Built Environment: Active Transportation
by: Benjamin MartinezThe Built Environment Education Program (BEEP) in San Diego, led by Benjamin Martinez, educates its students on how street design and active transportation shape their communities. -
Planning March 2016
In Planning's March 2016 issue, a special report on the 21st century comprehensive plan. Also in this issue, designing the built environment with accessibility in mind, and the challenges of increasing density in the suburbs. -
Sustainable Development Metrics
An excerpt from a new book, Sustainable Development Projects, describes how to assess project feasibility with design, development, and regulation in mind.February 01, 2014An excerpt from the book, Sustainable Development Projects, describes how to assess project feasibility with design, development, and regulation in mind. -
Applying Algorithms to Land-Use Decision Making
Zoning Practice — March 2019by: Norman Wright, AICP March 01, 2019This issue of Zoning Practice reviews simple methods for defining and applying a decision algorithm for land-use cases, and it explores how back testing; best-case, worst-case scenarios; and extrapolation can improve this approach.List price$10.00ZP subscriber$0.00 -
The Benefits of Street-Scale Features for Walking and Biking
by: Anna Read, AICP, Lindsay Braun September 01, 2015This report provides background information and supportive data for planners, transportation professionals, advocates, and policy makers working to encourage community design that promotes active transportation.