Planners Book Club — June 2008

Overlooked America

Overlooked America was the June 2008 selection of APA's Planners Book Club.

All of America was riveted — and horrified — when Hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck the Gulf Coast in September 2005. Images of people stranded in New Orleans and stories of those who had lost their lives or their homes made it clear that residents of poor neighborhoods had been the most vulnerable to disaster. Before and after the hurricanes, their needs simply weren't anticipated. They were overlooked.

They weren't alone in that regard. Although the nation is relatively rich in resources, many individuals and families have needs that aren't being met. Who are they, and what can planners do to address those needs? The editors of Planning magazine set out to find some answers in a new book from APA's Planners Press, Overlooked America.

Discuss these important issues in your own office or community. Here are some questions to get your discussion started.

1. Why are issues like homelessness, joblessness, immigration, and poverty considered to be planning issues?

2. How do past and current land-use policies and regulations contribute to some of the problems outlined in the book? Which traditional or nontraditional planning approaches could help?

3. How do global climate change and local planning intersect? Are there any special considerations for marginalized communities?

4. Of all the overlooked populations and problems identified in the book, which is the most challenging?

5. How do federal programs help address some of the issues noted in this book? How do they help or hinder local efforts?

6. Of the problems examined in this book, which are best left to private organizations to address rather than government agencies?

7. Choose a real or fictional city and describe a potential long-term planning strategy to address one of these issues. What short-term tactics might be successful?

8. Which marginal populations and issues are missing from Overlooked America? Are there any that don't belong?

More about Overlooked America