Designing Entrepreneurial-friendly Communities A growing body of research, information, and practical examples from around the state and nation related to entrepreneurial development will be presented. This includes what entrepreneurial development; how it can augment, and fit within, other economic development efforts; and what you may want to consider to make your community more ‘entrepreneurial-friendly’ will   …

How Can You Make Your Comprehensive Plan Better Support Economic Development? Municipal and county land use regulations, plans and policies must accommodate the various needs of people, households and business. However, many comprehensive planning efforts, while well intentioned, often provide cursory treatment to the interests of current and prospective business investment – development, expansion, and   …

Webinar: Easement Made Easy - Applying Conservation Easements on the Landscapes and Greenways of  Pennsylvania's Communities Conservation easements are increasingly being used for a private land trust or government to limit certain uses of land for the purpose of achieving a particular conservation objective while keeping the land in the landowners control An introduction to   …

How Can Planners Work to Enhance Community Food Systems? Efforts to address community problems (e.g. health issues, environmental issues, or social concerns) result in varying degrees of success. What works in one community can fail miserably in another. The Community Readiness Model (CRM) provides an innovative approach to assessing a community’s awareness of a problem   …

Planning for Healthy Communities: Making the Healthy Choice the Easy Choice The United States ranks 37th amongst industrial nations with regard to a healthy population. Communities nationwide are recognizing the critical link between our built environments and public health. How well we plan land use, food systems, transportation, and natural resource protection will have dramatic   …

Engaging Your Community's Generations in Planning Communities consist of a variety of generational cohorts, with each of these groups having distinct characteristics. Understanding these characteristics is vital for effectively engaging all age groups of people in planning processes, and later encouraging their volunteerism for the implementation of planned community projects. Descriptions of considerations and options   …

Drought Planning Toolbox: State Strategies for Mitigation and Adaptation  Since 1980, drought has been the fourth most common type of disaster in the U.S. and the second most costly. In 1998, more than one-third of the U.S. was affected by drought, with an event covering the West Coast to the upper Midwest. In 2007, a drought   …

Planning Webcast Series presents Water Quality and Quantity-Part 1 Water Quality Speakers:David Childs, Tom Frick, Tiffany Busby, Catherine Bray, and Eric DraperCM pending Register Now Water quantity and quality are shaping up as the prominent issues impacting planning and growth management in the coming years.  The Florida Legislature has indicated that state water policy will   …

Penn State ExtensionUsing the Official Map for Your Community’s Infrastructure An “official map” is a combined map and ordinance designed to aid in proactively planning for future growth in a municipality by helping to implement the elements of an adopted Comprehensive Plan that relate to transportation improvements, public land, open space protection, easements and other   …

Planning Webcast Series presents Water Quality and Quantity, Part 2 Water Quantity Speakers: Eric Olsen, Ryan Matthews, and Barbara MiedemaCM pending Register Now Water quantity and quality are shaping up as the prominent issues impacting planning and growth management in the coming years.  The Florida Legislature has indicated that state water policy will be the   …

Green Infrastructure and Flood Resiliency-Land Use Management as an Adaptation Strategy in the Built Environment This webinar addresses assessment, planning, and adaptation to not only better prepare for the next emergency, but to sustainably manage flooding, and stormwater to maintain human health and a vibrant local economy.  Participants will leave this webinar with knowledge about   …

Planning Webcast Series presents Communicating Design and Aesthetics in the Planning Process Speaker: Kurt Culbertson, FASLACM pending Register Now What is the extent of aesthetic realism portrayed in planning and design proposals, master plans and design guidelines?  How can project proposals for new developments, improvements, and urban design scenarios  and design guidelines, be communicated through   …

Planning Webcast Series presents Flexible, Innovative Zoning Techniques Speakers: Kristin Cisowski and Donald Elliott, FAICPCM pending Register Now Zoning feeling a bit ‘old-hat’ for you?  Tired of the same old simplistic solutions to problems that are not quite that simple?  Join us for “Teaching the old zoning dog some new tricks” – a web-cast sponsored   …

Penn State Extension:Understanding the Relationship between Municipal Budgets & Comprehensive Plans Adopted municipal budgets can be used to delve into and advance implementation of the municipal comprehensive plan through careful capital improvements budgeting for municipal infrastructure or facilities. The budget also describes de facto the roles of the governing body and planning commission members and   …

Planning Webcast Series presents Planning for Immigrant and Multi-Ethnic Communities Speakers: Stacey Chen, AICP, Melissa Kim and Jennifer RodriguezCM pending (includes ethics credit) Register Now The surge in immigration over the past two decades has engendered an unprecedented level of racial ethnic and cultural diversity in the United States. This session will present an overview   …

Penn State Extension:Planning to Protect Your Water Supply-Taking Action to Safeguard Water Supplies through Source Water Protection Communities across the country have expressed a keen interest in protecting the purity of their public/private water supplies. Many are developing forward thinking approaches to safeguard municipal water sources. This webinar will assist communities, planners, and public water   …

Penn State ExtensionAll About Open Space – Owning and Managing Natural Lands Municipal officials, developers and planners often find themselves faced with opportunities and requests to own open space, and are then faced with the question -- “how will it be cared for and maintained?”   This webinar describes practical methods for managing natural areas, whether   …