Green Communities Research CenterResearchThe Green Communities Research Center conducts research on best practices in planning for green communities. Current ProjectsPlanning for a New Energy and Climate FutureAPA has partnered with the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) for this three-year project on the integration of climate change and energy issues into planning practice. The project aims to help communities reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to a changing climate, and transition to renewable energy resources. The project has already resulted in an online, searchable database of case studies and resources as well as a climate change reader, and the PAS Report, which is also being developed in collaboration with the University of North Carolina at Asheville and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is scheduled to be available Fall 2009. Funding for this research project has been provided by the Surdna Foundation, the George Gund Foundation, and APA’s Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy Division. Complete StreetsAPA has partnered with the National Complete Streets Coalition to prepare a best practices manual on complete streets, which will be published as a PAS Report. The report is scheduled to be available early 2010. Funding for this project has been provided by the Federal Highway Administration, Minnesota Blue Cross Blue Shield, the Mott Foundation, and the Public Health Institute. Creating Community-Based Brownfields Redevelopment StrategiesAPA is working with Bethel New Life and the Center for Public Environmental Oversight, with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, on a training program and workbook that aims to help communities see brownfields sites as opportunities for redevelopment. Community Planning Strategies for Successful Wind Energy ImplementationAPA has been selected to receive a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy for work on wind energy. Partnering with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Clarion Associates, and the American Wind Energy Association, APA will produce a guidebook, Community Planning Strategies for Successful Wind Energy Implementation, for publication in 2011. Past ProjectsPlanning for Urban and Community ForestryWith support from the USDA Forest Service, APA collaborated with the International Society of Arboriculture and American Forests to produce Planning the Urban Forest, a best practices manual about integrating urban forestry into municipal planning activities. Smart Growth CodesWith funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, APA prepared Smart Codes: Model Land-Development Regulations, which includes 21 model codes that advance smart growth principles. The City Parks ForumA series of briefing papers, case studies, and technical reports were developed through the City Parks Forum, a program supported by a grant from the Wallace Foundation and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. Growing SmartThe Growing Smart Legislative Guidebook was the culmination of a seven-year research project. It contains model planning and zoning enabling legislation, developed under guidance of the Growing Smart Directorate, and with funding support from several federal agencies and foundations. Project PartnersThe Green Communities Research Center regularly works with partner organizations on research projects and programs. Organizations we are currently working with or recently worked with on research projects are listed here. Environmental and Energy Study Institute National Complete Streets Coalition Public Health Law and Policy National Renewable Energy Laboratory American Wind Energy Association Bethel New Life, Inc. Center for Public Environmental Oversight International Society of Arboriculture American Forests | ||
