Energy, Climate Change, Green Planning, Food/Health Planning

R-Value

a building’s basic wall and ceiling insulation is measured by its R-Value, the bigger the better

contributes to a buildings energy efficiency

Bioenergy

produces electricity, heat, or transportation fuels (biofuels) from renewable organic sources, such as agricultural crops and residues, wood chips, manure, food processing wastes, and biogas (methane)

Hydropower

a renewable energy source that generates electricity by converting the kinetic and potential energy of flowing or falling water into electrical energy.

Nuclear Power

is electricity generated from energy released by nuclear reactions—mainly the fission of uranium‑235 or plutonium‑239 inside nuclear reactors.

it is “clean” energy

APA supports continued investment in existing nuclear facilities and the development of new nuclear facilities as part of the energy supply

Climate Action Plan

a plan intended to guide community efforts on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions

Distributed Generation (DG) of Energy

the production of electricity by small-scale energy systems located close to the point of consumption. NOT large-scale powerplants located far away

Green Infrastructure (GI)

the network of green spaces that protects natural ecosystems and provides associated benefits, such as clean water and air, to communities

greening practices

Low-Impact Development (LID)

general term for a wide array of site planning principles and engineered treatment practices used to manage both water runoff volume and water quality

goal is to use multiple on-site techniques to avoid generating runoff and increase the landscape’s ability to detain rainwater and capture pollutants

Solid Waste Generation in the US

solid waste generation in the US has tripled since 1960

Wicked Problem

a complex social or policy challenge with no clear definition, no single solution, and no definitive end point, first described by Horst Rittel and Melvin Webber in 1973

examples are homelessness and climate change

Food Desert

areas that lack access to affordable fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat milk, and other foods that make up a full and healthy diet

rural, minority, or low-income areas are subjected to food deserts, leaving their diets lacking essential nutrients

rural, minority and low-income areas are often the sites of food deserts because they lack large retail food markets and have a higher concentration of convenience stores

transportation is specifically part of the USDA food desert definition

prevented by:

establishing community gardens where participants share in the maintenance and products

local govs can improve local transportation for easier access to established markets

local govs can change zoning codes and offer economic or tax incentives to attract retailers with healthier food offerings to the area

Urban Agriculture

the production of fruits and vegetables, raising of animals, and cultivation of fish for local sale and consumption

benefits: access to fresh and nutritious food, promoting physical activity by urban farming, fosters social interaction and community cohesion, contributes to climate change mitigation, local economic benefits by creating jobs etc…

Health in All Policies (HIAP) Framework

framework that integrates public health perspective into decision-making and project and policy work

integration of health into key planning documents (ex: comprehensive plans) and the use of tools that identify the health impacts of proposed changed (ex: health impact assessments (HIA))

Health Impact Assessment (HIA)

evaluates the positive and negative human health effects of a proposal, development plan, or policy, including the unintended consequences on overall health, in order to inform the decision-making process

the goal is to apply available research about health impacts to specific land-use questions to develop evidence-based recommendations to inform decision-making

similar to an env impact assessment… six stages: screening, scoping, assessment, reporting, monitoring, and evaluation

evolved from the NEPA process

Health Information System (HIS)

a computer based system used to collect, store, retrieve, analyze, and disseminate health information for the purpose of improving patient care, management, and decision making in healthcare organizations

Aging in Place

the US centers for disease control and prevention defines aging in place as the ability to live in ones own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level

(as opposed to going into an assisted living facility)

Universal Design

a design approach that makes products, environments, and systems usable by all people—regardless of age, ability, or body size—without requiring adaptation or specialized solutions, a concept pioneered by architect Ron Mace in the mid‑1960s.

Epidemiology

the method used to find the causes of health outcomes and diseases in populations

related to health impact assessments (HIA)