APA and FEMA’s Working Partnership

This PAS Memo offers guidance to planners on how to expand their use of foresight through exploratory scenario planning in both the hazard mitigation and climate adaptation fields. It defines foresight and scenario planning, discusses how they are related, and explains how they can be useful when planning in highly dynamic and complex systems, such as hazard mitigation and climate adaptation planning. Case studies are discussed, as are action steps that planners can take to implement this approach in their work. 2022

Recent hurricanes, wildfires, and flooding have highlighted the challenges the United States faces in responding effectively to natural disasters. The 2017 and 2018 hurricanes and wildfires affected millions of individuals and caused billions of dollars in damages, with subsequent years seeing even more extreme disasters. Building upon previous efforts to survey state land-use and natural hazard planning laws in all 50 states, this survey documents the findings of APA’s 2017 analysis of these laws. 2019

As part of an effort to identify the best ways to use cutting-edge technological tools and participatory processes to engage citizens in the hazards planning process, this guide describes the Community Resilience Scenario Planning Model (CRSPM). The CRSPM can be used in the context of an overall plan update, as part of special-purpose plans, or in developing a standalone community resilience plan and implementation strategy. This guide can also help communities integrate hazard mitigation and risk reduction strategies into their local planning activities. 2018

This PAS Report seeks to close the gap that often exists between hazard mitigation planning and other local planning and regulatory land-use processes. It introduces hazard mitigation as a vital area of practice for planners; provides guidance on how to integrate hazard mitigation strategies into comprehensive, area, and functional plans; and shows where hazard mitigation can fit into zoning and subdivision codes. The report closes with recommendations to help planners move ahead with introducing hazard mitigation into local planning processes. 2010

What if substantial portions of your community were suddenly and severely damaged by a catastrophic flood, earthquake, industrial accident, or other disaster? What role would the local planning agency play in the rebuilding and recovery process? This issue of Zoning Practice summarizes some of the zoning-related challenges planners face in post-disaster situations, discusses how communities might think about preparing now for future disasters, and highlights what other communities have achieved by modifying zoning procedures and standards. 2021

If a community is planning for the future, development and redevelopment must incorporate the reduction of future risks. In particular, stressors including climate change and extreme weather necessitate smarter planning. This update to the 1998 manual of the same name offers a no-nonsense explanation of the benefits — and limitations — of planning for unpredictable events. Case studies from big cities and smaller towns show what it takes to come back stronger from a natural disaster. See also a selection of briefing papers that can be used in stakeholder and public engagement. 2014

APA partnered with Texas A&M University to design a mixed-methods research project that would generate the evidence base needed to guide planning practitioners on leveraging existing planning activities and programs for recovery and resilience. This executive summary contains the major findings from the overall research project, including the quantitative findings from the responses of 196 survey participants and the qualitative findings from 33 in-depth interviews with experienced disaster recovery professionals. 2019

APA partnered with Texas A&M University to design a mixed-methods research project that would generate the evidence base needed to guide planning practitioners on leveraging existing planning activities and programs for recovery and resilience. This executive summary contains the major findings from the overall research project, including the quantitative findings from the responses of 196 survey participants and the qualitative findings from 33 in-depth interviews with experienced disaster recovery professionals. 2019

Few of the readily available disaster recovery guidance documents were designed with the specific skills and experience of planners in mind. APA partnered with Texas A&M University to design a mixed-methods research project that would generate the evidence base needed to guide planning practitioners on leveraging existing planning activities and programs for recovery and resilience. The qualitative findings from 33 in-depth interviews with experienced disaster recovery professionals are summarized in this Qualitative Interview Report. 2019

This is the first all-hazards guidance manual for local planners developing plans for post-disaster recovery and reconstruction. It includes a model ordinance and case studies of five different hazard scenarios: flood, earthquake, tornado, wildfire, and hurricane. The report also offers planning tools for managing long-term community recovery after a natural disaster. Specific chapters guide identifying local natural hazards, assessing risk, and outlining the process of developing and implementing plans for post-disaster recovery and reconstruction. 1998

Climate projections suggest persistent droughts over the continental United States that are longer, cover more area, and are more intense than what has been experienced in the 20th century. This guide makes the case for establishing drought as a priority for local planning. Planners are central in influencing land-use patterns and helping communities guide how development and redevelopment occur. Planners do this by planning at all scales, creating land-use regulations, and reviewing development projects. This provides opportunities to address drought. 2019

In subdivision design, ideas of sustainability and resilience haven’t yet hit home. This updated PAS report aims to end the cycle of build-damage-rebuild in communities through guidance that brings subdivision design into line with the best of floodplain planning. Six planning and design principles help put subdivisions on the right footing. Standards for review, inspection, and maintenance cover all types of terrain and infrastructure. And nine concrete recommendations lay out steps to keep subdivisions safe and dry. 2016