Blogs

May 23, 2022

APA Joins State Resilience Partnership

APA joins the State Resilience Partnership as one of 20 organizations collaborating on increasing nationwide resilience efforts.

Helping Planners Advance Disaster Recovery

With support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Cooperating Technical Partners program, APA recently published the Post-Disaster Recovery Guide for Planners. This resource aims to help local planners working for communities that are recovering from all kinds of disasters, including catastrophic flooding and damage and disruption from cascading hazards.

October 8, 2020

When It’s Right to Rightsize

Uncovering JAPA: The Flint water crisis shows when it's right to rightsize.

Crafting a Disaster Recovery Guide With Planners in Mind

APA partnered with Texas A&M University to design a mixed-methods research project examining where planners turn for information and assistance after a disaster.

Planning and Wildfire in the Wildland-Urban Interface

Planners have important roles to play in shaping communities that are safer and more resilient to wildfire. A new PAS Report shows the way.

Four Plans for Shaping the Future of Puerto Rico

A summary of four plans that will shape Puerto Rico’s response to the urgent humanitarian needs of the island’s residents after Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Hazard Mitigation Reforms Hitch a Ride on FAA Bill

Congressional legislation reauthorizing the FAA included important reforms that promote hazard mitigation and resiliency. The legislation marks one of the most sweeping changes to federal hazard programs in years.

Climate Adaptation: Climbing the Mountain Amid a Landslide

A new report assesses the current state of the climate adaptation field. Planner and author Jim Schawb says planners can bring their skills to the table and make a difference.

Living on the Edge: Get to Know Your WUI

One-third of the U.S. population lives in the wildland-urban interface (WUI). It's important for planners to consider the WUI during the community planning process due to its direct link to potential wildfire disasters.

A Planner's Close Encounter With Hurricane Irma

Floridians know hurricanes on a first name basis and speak of Charlie, Andrew, and Wilma. Irma was my first hurricane in eight years living in Florida.

New Report Offers Integrated Approach to Water

APA's PAS Report "Planners and Water" introduces the One Water approach and prepares planners and decision makers to lead and respond effectively to emerging water challenges.

Tackle the Data Tsunami with APA Water Planning Network Tools

American Planning Association's newest Interest Group — the Water and Planning Network — provides periodic updates on current research, leading practices, and tools related to planning for water.

Integrating Solutions: 2017 Community Planning Workshop in Howard Beach

The 2017 Community Planning Workshop brought planners together with Howard Beach, Queens, residents and stakeholders to identify strategies and approaches — including green infrastructure — for combating persistent flooding.

Happy 10th Birthday to NOAA’s Digital Coast!

NOAA's Digitial Coast is turning 10. APA is a partner in this initiative, which brings tools and resources to coastal communities.

Planning for Resilience

As the triple threats of climate change, rapid urbanization, and globalization exert pressure on cities, many of those places are looking to be more resilient — now and 25, 50, or 100 years from now.

Planning Ahead for Disaster Recovery

FEMA recently released the Pre-Disaster Recovery Planning Guide for Local Governments, which provides guidance and tools for local governments.

Digital Coast Act: Protecting Our Coastal Communities

In a special Water Week guest post, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin makes the case for why planners must tell their representatives to support the Digital Coast Act.

APA Part of New Collaboration to Promote Nature-Based Solutions

The Naturally Resilient Communities partnership has created a guide of nature-based solutions and related case studies of successful projects to help communities learn more and identify those solutions that might work best for them.

How DO Planners Deal with Local Fracking?

A Summer 2016 JAPA article looks at how planners are dealing with the dangers and problems created by local fracking.

Can You Sue the Government for Climate Change Impacts?

Well, a lot depends on circumstances, and environmental law is seldom a simple thing. But the answer, according to Jon Kusler, a veteran in this field, may increasingly be yes.