Land Use Planning Topics
Land Tools Compendium: Hazards
References that have links are freely available on the internet.
Alberta Environment and Parks (2014). Efficient Use of Land: Implementation Tools Compendium. Government of Alberta.
Created in 2014 by the Government of Alberta, this compendium outlines tools and practices to implement strategies for the efficient use of land. The strategies are targeted to planners, landowners and developers, public land managers, and public service providers – anyone involved in land use decision making. Some of the strategies have been tested and applied within Alberta and other strategies are adapted from planning practices around the world.
Berke, P. R. (1996). Enhancing plan quality: Evaluating the role of state planning mandates for natural hazard mitigation. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 39(1), 79-96.
Traditionally, responsibility for land planning in the United States lies with local governments. However, a growing number of states over the past several decades have attempted to exert more influence on how local governments plan for development. This paper uses empirical data from natural hazard elements of 139 community plans in five states to assess whether such state mandates actually result in better local plans. We find that a state mandate not only achieves plans from communities that otherwise would not make a plan, but in addition those plans are of higher quality than plans made voluntarily in communities not under a mandate to plan.
Brody, S. D. (2003). Are we learning to make better plans? A longitudinal analysis of plan quality associated with natural hazards. Journal of Planning Education and Research, 23(2), 191-201.
Research examining the quality of local planning often treats planning problems as isolated incidents occurring in public decision making. Comprehensive plans and policy statements are evolving instruments, undergoing continual revisions. This article examines the degree to which the quality of local plans changes over an eight-year period with respect to natural hazards mitigation. Jurisdictions in Florida and Washington were sampled in 1991 and in 1999 to determine the extent to which their plans’ hazard mitigation components changed and to identify factors driving communities to adopt stronger policies. Results indicate the plans of local jurisdictions improved and that legal reform, repetitive damage to property, and citizen participation can facilitate an adaptive learning process. This article discusses policy implications and provides recommendations for improving learning capabilities to prepare plans that prevent natural hazards.
Burby, R. J. (2005). Have state comprehensive planning mandates reduced insured losses from natural disasters? Natural Hazards Review, 6(2), 67-81.
This article examines the relationship between state requirements for preparation of local government comprehensive plans and claims paid by property insurance companies for losses due to weather-related natural disasters between 1994 and 2000. During the period studied, insurance companies paid out more than $26 billion (in constant 2000 dollars) for disaster-related claims arising from losses to residential property. Although a majority of states do not require local governments to prepare comprehensive plans, 24 states do require plans, and 10 states specifically require that mandated plans pay attention to natural hazards.
Burby, R. J., Beatley, T., Berke, P. R., Deyle, R. E., French, S. P., Godschalk, D. R., ... & Paterson, R. G. (1999). Unleashing the power of planning to create disaster-resistant communities. Journal of the American Planning Association, 65(3), 247-258.
To unleash the power of planning for hazard mitigation, federal policies must be revised so that they help build local understanding of risk, commitment to hazard mitigation, and support for planning. A number of actions can be taken now to begin moving in this direction. In the long term, however, new legislation is needed to reduce subsidies that sustain and encourage development in hazardous areas and to increase assistance for planning.
Burby, R. J., & Dalton, L. C. (1994). Plans can matter! The role of land use plans and state planning mandates in limiting the development of hazardous areas. Public Administration Review, 229-238.
Examines how local governments can reduce susceptibility to losses in natural disasters by using land use plans in the policy making process. Analysis of empirical data from 176 local governments in five states; Limitation of development of areas at risk from natural hazards; Role of state mandates and planning; Implications for administrative theory and practice.
Burby, R. J., Deyle, R. E., Godschalk, D. R., & Olshansky, R. B. (2000). Creating hazard resilient communities through land-use planning. Natural Hazards Review, 1(2), 99-106.
The Second National Assessment on Natural and Related Technological Hazards calls land-use planning the single most promising approach for bringing about sustainable hazard mitigation. This article describes the essential elements of land-use planning for hazard mitigation. It highlights important choices involved in formulating planning processes, undertaking hazard assessments, and crafting programs to manage urban development so that it is more resilient to natural hazards. Research conducted over the past two decades suggests that if local governments make the right choices in crafting land-use-planning programs, communities will be less likely to suffer severe losses of lives and property in natural disasters.
Godschalk, D. R. (2003). Urban hazard mitigation: creating resilient cities. Natural Hazards Review, 4(3), 136-143.
Cities are complex and interdependent systems, extremely vulnerable to threats from both natural hazards and terrorism. This paper proposes a comprehensive strategy of urban hazard mitigation aimed at the creation of resilient cities, able to withstand both types of threats. The paper reviews hazard mitigation practice, defines a resilient city, considers the relationship between resilience and terrorism, and discusses why resilience is important and how to apply its principles to physical and social elements of cities.
