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Biophilia
PAS QuickNotes 87by: Petra Hurtado, PhDThis edition of PAS QuickNotes emphasizes the importance of biophilia in planning and explains how planners can create communities that provide equitable access to nature and green space design that offers an effective nature experience for all.List price$10.00APA member & PAS subscriber$0.00 -
Sedona, AZ, Sedona Community Plan
The Environment Element of the community plan identifies increasing solar energy use as a key issue and offers goals that promote the use of renewable energy sources and energy-efficient site design.Sedona, AZ -
Impacts of Transit Oriented Development on Public Transportation Ridership
NCTR-576-10, 2005by: Sara Jane Hendricks, AICP, Phil Winters, Francis WambalabaThis report reviews the literature on the effects of urban form on transit ridership and proposes a research design to study the effects of transit-oriented development (TOD) on ridership over time. -
Wenatchee, WA, Municipal Code
2018The city’s fire code includes extensive standards for the wildland-urban interface. It discusses the standards for building design and construction for all new structures and additions developed adjacent to the designated wildland-urban interface boundary.Wenatchee, WA -
Vista, CA, General Plan 2030
Adopted February 2012The city's comprehensive plan includes policies to promote efficient and sustainable use of energy resources by incorporating passive solar design features in new buildings and identifying sites for solar energy production -
Parks for an Aging Population: Needs and Preferences of Low-Income Seniors in Los Angeles
Journal of the American Planning Association, 82(3): 236-251, 2016by: Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris, Lene Levy-Storms, Lin ChenThis JAPA article shares the results of a literature review and focus groups with low-income, inner-city seniors, advocating for the inclusion of seniors in park design and programming. -
Baltimore County, MD, Code of Ordinances
Updated July 2019The county’s code of ordinances identifies the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification as an eligibility for property tax credits and as a requirement for planned unit developments (PUD’s). -
LEED and the International Green Construction Code
November 2018This briefing paper discusses the standards of the International Green Construction Code (IgCC) and how it can relate to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification system. -
Cuyahoga Falls, OH, General Development Code
Updated 2016The city’s general development code allows for additional density bonuses for projects with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) or New Construction (LEED-NC) certifications. -
Cranford Township, NJ, Municipal Code
Updated January 2019The township’s municipal code requires Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for all new public buildings and major renovations on public buildings and highlights a Green Building Density Incentive Program. -
Palmetto Bay, FL, Code of Ordinances
Updated September 2019The village's code of ordinances outlines a green building program that requires new public buildings and provides incentives for private buildings to attain Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. -
Cutler Bay, FL, Code of Ordinances
Updated March 2019The town’s land development code includes bicycle storage requirements in their larger Green Standards code, which follows the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. -
The Effects of Changes to the Built Environment on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Adults: Systematic Review
Health & Place, 53: 237-257, 2018by: T Moore, J Kesten, J Lopez-LopezThis article reviews intervention studies on the built environment and mental health and concludes that the current evidence is weak and relies on poor study design and limited data. -
Creating Healthy Neighborhoods With Ann Forsyth
November 2017by: Elizabeth Hartig, Ann ForsythThis video features a conversation with Ann Forsyth about the book she co-authored with Emily Salomon and Laura Smead, Creating Healthy Neighborhoods: Evidence-Based Planning and Design Strategies. -
El Monte, CA, Code of Ordinances
Updated March 2019The city’s code of ordinances outlines detailed requirements for the use of low-impact development (LID) tactics in the site design and post-construction operations and maintenance of all development. -
Federal Automated Vehicles Policy: Accelerating the Next Revolution in Roadway Safety (AV 1.0)
September 2016This standalone policy provides agency guidance to speed the delivery of an initial regulatory framework and best practices to guide manufacturers and other entities in the safe design, development, testing, and deployment of highly automated vehicles. -
Accessory Dwellings
2017This website contains numerous pages with information about accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as a concept, ADU design and construction, state and local policy for ADUs, and research about ADUs. -
6 Pandemic-Proof Ways to Engage Youth in Comprehensive Planning
From TikTok challenges to movie screenings, use these tips to connect with your community’s youngest residents.by: Rebecca Greenwald April 08, 2022From TikTok challenges to movie screenings, here's how to connect with your community’s youngest residents. -
Watertown, MN, Municipal Code
The city's municipal code includes a chapter on alternative energy systems that permits solar energy systems in all districts. Subdivision regulations encourage lot design that considers future solar energy system use.Watertown, MN -
Morgan Hill, CA, General Plan
The Open Space and Conservation Element of the city's general plan includes policies and actions supporting the incorporation of solar energy systems in the design of new and existing development.Morgan Hill, CA -
Taos, NM, Code of Ordinances
The town's building and zoning codes include a solar rights declaration protecting solar access to existing solar energy systems; design standards encourage incorporation of solar features into local architectural styles.Taos, NM -
Eagle County, CO, Land Use Regulations
Updated March 2023The county's land-use regulations permit solar energy systems in all districts with special use approval for larger systems; the county's ECObuild building code offers points for several solar energy equipment and design features. -
Gresham, OR, Development Code
Updated May 2009The city's development code provides standards and permissions for small-, medium-, and large-scale solar energy systems; solar-related features are included in the city's menu of sustainable site design options. -
Mountain View, CA, East Whisman Precise Plan
The city's General Plan provides land use and design visions, goals, policies, and guidelines for different "change areas" within the city; those for the East Whisman Change Area address solar and renewable energy production.Mountain View, CA -
Mountain View, CA, North Bayshore Precise Plan
The city's General Plan provides land use and design visions, goals, policies, and guidelines for different "change areas" within the city; those for the North Bayshore Change Area address solar and renewable energy production.Mountain View, CA -
Wasatch County, UT, County Code
The county's code permits flush-mounted rooftop solar panels in all districts by right; architectural guidelines in a Specially Planned Area encourage green design, including solar energy use and orientation.Wasatch County, UT -
San Carlos, CA, Municipal Code
Updated January 2018The city's subdivision regulations address solar design requirements, and the zoning code offers a bonus FAR incentive for solar panels and other green building measures in mixed use districts.San Carlos, CA -
Rancho Cordova, CA, General Plan
The Urban Design, Housing, and Infrastructure, Services, and Finance elements of the city's general plan recognize the importance of solar energy and include several action items promoting the use of solar energy systems. -
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. -
Designing Everyday Spaces for Playful Learning
PAS Memo 119Playful Learning Landscapes (PLL) address learning inequalities that exist outside of the classroom by marrying the science of learning with urban design and placemaking, using evidence-based approaches for creating vibrant public spaces that foster learning and caregiver interaction, bring people together, and generate a sense of community ownership and pride. -
Ketchum, ID, 2014 Comprehensive Plan
The Community Design and Neighborhoods, Natural Resource Stewardship, Public Safety and Utilities, and Community Health and Wellness chapters in the city's comprehensive plan address renewable energy objectives; the Community Profile explores solar access and aspect in the city.Ketchum, ID -
Corvallis, OR, Land Development Code
Updated March 2019The city's land development code provides for two types of solar access permits and establishes a solar design requirement for new subdivisions and planned developments; historic preservation regulations provide for the installation of solar panels on historic resources. -
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. -
Planning for Cities of Awe
March 01, 2016Planners must look for ways to design and manage cities to maximize moments of awe. -
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 Future of Planning Is Agile, People-centric, and Technologically Advanced
by: Petra Hurtado, PhDPetra Hurtado, PhD, APA's Research Director, explores patterns and the agility and technological innovation planners need. -
What Is Zoning Reform and Why Do We Need It?
The case for change, why planners support it, and six zoning reform tactics that could help curb housing costs.by: Patrick Sisson January 18, 2023The case for change, why planners support it, and six zoning reform tactics that could help curb housing costs. -
People Behind the Plans: Seeking Justice and Showing Communities Love Through Planning
In this People Behind the Plans podcast episode, Courtney Kashima, AICP, talks with social justice planner Monique López, AICP, MCRP, about her work, her journey to urban planning, and her anti-racist, values-driven participatory planning and design firm, Pueblo Planning. -
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. -
California Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones Statute
Government Code §§51175 – 51189, 1992by: State of CaliforniaThis statute by the State of California, establishes the classification of the state lands based on hazard severity levels. It aims to help stakeholders and the community in wildfire management and provides requirements for building construction and design for these communities.California -
Complete Streets
Complete streets is an approach to planning and designing streets and street networks that prioritizes safe and convenient access for all modes and users. This collection catalogs resources that provide background and policy guidance, as well as examples that demonstrate how localities are using plans, policies, and regulations to consider all modes of transportation in the design of streets. -
Smart Cities: Integrating Technology, Community, and Nature
PAS Report 599by: Petra Hurtado, PhD, Benjamin Hitchings, FAICP, David Rouse, FAICP December 01, 2021If deployed in the right ways, smart city technologies can help resolve the myriad challenges all communities face today. This PAS Report prepares planners to lead the way in ensuring equitable implementation of smart city innovations that enhance livability, sustainability, and resilience while fostering innovation, collaboration, and participatory co-creation.Nonmember price$25.00APA members & PAS subscribers$0.00 -
Worland, WY, City Code
The city's zoning code allows solar energy system owners to apply for a solar permit to protect their rights to solar access and permits solar collectors as accessory uses in all districts; subdivision regulations encourage block design that allows for solar access.Worland, WY -
Zoning and Land-Use Tools in the Wildland-Urban Interface
Zoning Practice — September 2018by: Anna Read, AICP, Molly Mowery, AICPThis 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 -
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. -
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.Oregon -
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. -
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. -
Integrating Stormwater Regulation and Urban Design
Zoning Practice — November 2006by: Lisa NisensonThis issue of Zoning Practice explains new federal requirements for stormwater management and offers some words of caution about the potential unintended results of merging land-use and water regulations.List Price$10.00ZP subscriber$0.00 -
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.