Tuesdays at APA–Chicago — October 2011

Sustainable Regional Planning

October 25, 2011

Federal and state agencies often implement their programs and investments in "silos" with limited consideration of common goals across topics. But recently, the federal agencies that address transportation, housing, and the natural environment — three inextricably linked areas — created the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, demonstrating a commitment to increase interagency coordination and connect investments to comprehensive planning. In 2010, both the Chicago and Rockford metropolitan areas received competitive grants, termed Sustainable Communities Regional Planning grants, through this program.

Bob Dean from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) and Steve Ernst from the Rockford Metropolitan Agency for Planning (RMAP) discussed the Partnership for Sustainable Communities and the work that they are pursuing through these recent competitive grants. CMAP is using its grant to provide technical assistance to local governments to pursue planning activities that are consistent with GO TO 2040, the region's long-range comprehensive plan. RMAP is using its grant to expand and continue its efforts to create a Regional Plan for Sustainable Development.

PowerPoint presentation (ppt)

PDF of PowerPoint presentation (pdf)

About the Speakers

Steve Ernst is the executive director of the Rockford Metropolitan Agency for Planning (RMAP) and has the responsibility of running the Rockford MPO. RMAP was created with a new regional vision to provide planning services that goes beyond meeting minimal federal requirements for transportation. His duties include transportation planning, land use planning, regional growth management, freight planning, passenger rail planning, regional traffic operations and intelligent transportation systems. During his 32-year career Ernst held various positions within the City of Rockford Public Works Department and was City of Rockford traffic engineer from 1993-2008, while managing the technical affairs of the MPO as part-time study director.

Bob Dean is the deputy executive director for Local Planning with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), and oversees CMAP's programs that provide assistance to local governments. Before holding this position, he was the project manager for GO TO 2040, the long-range comprehensive plan for the Chicago metropolitan area. Prior to coming to CMAP, he worked in transportation and land use planning for the City of Naperville and the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference.