Hazards Planning Center
Research Priorities
The Hazards Planning Center focuses its efforts into projects and policies that prioritize hazard mitigation, post-disaster recovery, and climate change adaptation.
The Hazards Planning Center advances practices that promote resilience by reducing the impact of natural hazards on communities and regions. Every community is faced with natural and man-made hazards such as floods, wildfires, hurricanes, landslides, extreme temperatures, and more. Proper planning for hazards mitigation, post-disaster recovery, and climate change adaptation enables communities to be prepared for the 21st century.
Through original and applied research, APA's Hazards Planning Center identifies practices that protect communities from natural and man-made hazards and educates planners and allied professionals about those practices.
Our mission is to support the development of safe, resilient communities that can minimize their losses from disasters while efficiently utilizing their resources to recover in an improved manner.
To learn how APA's Hazards Planning Center can help you or to discuss partnership opportunities, contact us at hazardsplanning@planning.org
Survey of State Natural Hazards Planning Laws
In coordination with FEMA, APA examined the relationship between comprehensive plans and local zoning ordinances in the context of state-level natural hazards planning by surveying legislation for all 50 states.
Planning Information Exchange Webinars
In cooperation with the Association of State Floodplain Managers, APA is conducting a series of quarterly webinars for practitioners that will include tools, best practices, and strategies on hazard mitigation planning and its connections with recovery planning and preparedness.
Planning for Post-Disaster Recovery: Next Generation
PAS Report 576
APA is committed to the continuing education of planners and their communities on the topic of disaster resiliency; thus, the compilation of up-to-date data, methodology, and policy consideration is a vital component of this goal. We encourage practitioners to review Planning for Post-Disaster Recovery: Next Generation, as well as additional supplemental resources.
Planning for Post-Disaster Recovery Briefing Papers
The project briefing papers may be used alone or alongside the PAS Report above, Planning for Post-Disaster Recovery: Next Generation. These succinct, downloadable PDFs are ideal handouts for meetings with officials and the general public.
Current Projects
Survey of State Land-Use and Natural Hazards Planning Laws
The American Planning Association is reevaluating its 2002–2010 database of state planning legislation to improve on past efforts to survey state land-use and natural hazard planning laws.
Drought Mitigation Planning in a Multi-Hazards Context
APA and the National Drought Mitigation Center are working with FEMA to engage experts and stakeholder organizations to assess communities’ needs for drought mitigation assistance and planning best practices.
Incorporating Local Climate Science to Help Communities Plan for Climate Extremes
APA is working with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and climatologists from the University of Illinois to provide technical assistance to five pilot communities in the Chicago area on incorporating climate data into processes for developing comprehensive and capital improvements plans. End products aimed at the larger Great Lakes region will include a Guidebook, Data Analysis Guide, and case studies.
Building Coastal Resilience through Capital Improvement Planning
APA and ASFPM will work to mainstream a variety of techniques to help practitioners incorporate climate, flood, and hazard data into local and regional capital improvement plans. They will work with regional partners in Savannah, Georgia, and Toledo, Ohio. The end products will include a PAS Report and onsite training program.
Planning Information Exchange
In cooperation with ASFPM, APA will conduct a series of quarterly webinars for practitioners on hazard mitigation planning.
Digital Coast
APA became a partner in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Digital Coast, part of NOAA's Coastal Services Center, in July 2010. As a Digital Coast partner, APA serves as a conduit to our members for Digital Coast online resources for coastal planners and helps vet new products.
Completed Projects
Advanced Disaster Recovery Strategies for Local Communities
Coastal Zone Management
Drought Mitigation
Great Lakes Coastal Hazards
Hazardous Tree Management
Improving Community Resilience
Innovations in Planning and Public Engagement for Community Resilience
Integrating Hazard Mitigation into Local Planning
Landslide Hazards and Planning (PAS 533/534)
Naturally Resilient Communities
Planning for Post-Disaster Recovery: Next Generation
Planning for Wildfires
Subdivision Design in Flood Hazard Areas
Resources
Hazard Mitigation and Disaster Recovery Planning Division
APA's Hazard Mitigation and Disaster Recovery Planning Division fosters professional communications on hazards and recovery, and helps build a knowledge base for use by planners.
Safe Growth Audits
The October 2009 issue of Zoning Practice examines the need for communities to practice safe growth audits to prevent future growth conflicts.