Sustaining Places The Role of the Comprehensive Plan William Anderson, FAICP Director, City & Regional Planning, AECOM Americas William.anderson3@aecom.com
Sustainability Defining Challenge of the 21 st Century Issues Resource depletion Climate instability Energy production Economic stress Social inequity Public health
Sustaining Places Task Force Charge Focus on the comprehensive plan as policy document & tool to achieve sustainable outcomes Examine related changes in best practices that integrate sustainability into comprehensive planning Look at how plans effect change & are held accountable
Role of Comprehensive Plan Plan is ideal vehicle: Legal authority Scope to cover functions History of practice Plan has mandate to: Set community goals Engage citizens Assign responsibilities Achieve consensus
Characteristics of Plans for Sustaining Places Adopt sustainability principles Integrate policies across programs Consider equity, health & wellbeing impacts Act on scientific evidence Address demands with limited funds Implement non-traditional goals Monitor sustainability metrics Link to regional plans Conduct stakeholder engagement
Emerging Model of Sustaining Places Planning Adaptive planning Sustainability goals Integrated technical & participatory tracks Evidence-based scenarios What If? Metric outcome measures Target tracking Ongoing implementation
Traditional Community Planning Assumptions Past foretells future economic & population growth projections Adjust plans every 5-10-20 years land use, transportation, & public facilities All else remains relatively stable Climate conditions Water resources Energy supply Agriculture Ecosystems Human health Natural hazards Trends Space Facilities Population projection Economic projection Land use needs Transportation needs Water & energy demand Public facilities demand
New Realities Economy Future is evolving & uncertain growth/decline must be monitored Agriculture Plans respond to change strategically as evidence demands Health Climate Water Land use Sources of instability include linkages among: Energy Climate condition Water resources Energy supply Agriculture Ecosystems Economy Human health Natural hazards Transportation Ecosystems
Principles of Planning for Sustaining Places -Livable built environment -Harmony with nature Community Well Being Socioeconomic Capital -Resilient economy -Interwoven equity -Healthy communities -Responsible regionalism -Authentic participation -Accountable implementation Built Environment housing, transportation, infrastructure Agriculture ranches, dairies, croplands, orchards Natural Systems water, air, soil, natural habitat 2007 Marin Countywide Plan.http://co.marin.ca.us/depts/CD/main/fm/TOC.cfm
Vertical Integration of Plans
Example: San Diego A City Set in a Bio-Diverse Region City Planning & Community Investment
Housing Growth in the San Diego Region
MMT CO2E GHG Inventory Project Results 50 Hypothetical GHG Emissions Reduction Targets San Diego County 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 2006 Levels 2020 BAU Projections AB 32 Target Executive Order S-3-05 Target (2050) www.sandiego.edu/e pic
Climate Change Response Defining Challenge of the 21 st Century Other - Thermal Cogeneraton 2% Off-Road 3% Aviation 4% Heavy Duty Trucks and Vehicles 4% Industrial 4% Other Fuels 5% Wastewater 0.45% Wildfire 2% Water 1% Rail 0.31% Agriculture 0.22% On-Road Transportation 39% Marine Vessels (ocean- going vessels and harbor craft) 0.14% Motorcycles 0.08% Solid Waste 5% Natural Gas 8% Electricity 22% SANDAG / Energy Policy Initiatives Center (2015)
2050 Regional Transportation Plan / Sustainable Communities Strategy
2050 Regional Transportation Plan
Smart Growth Tools for Local Jurisdictions Resources Visual Simulations Smart Growth Incentive Program and Environmental Mitigation Program
Jurisdictions That have Updated or Are Updating their General/Specific Plans Post 2011 2004-2011 Pre-2004
A City of Villages
Prime Industrial Lands
Village Propensity Map
Climate Change Conservation Element Reduce carbon footprint, mitigate impacts, and adapt to changes Address sustainable building and practices that reduce global climate change Encourage clean tech industries to benefit San Diego s environment and economy
Climate Change Addressed Throughout the General Plan
Sign montage Community Plans
GENERAL PLAN City-wide policies COMMUNITY IDENTITY COMMUNITY PLANS LAND USE & URBAN DESIGN PUBLIC FACILITIES ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW CONSERVATION ZONING FINANCING PROJECTS
UPTOWN Community Plan
The Uptown District Master Plan
Thank you. William.anderson3@aecom.com