A day-long group exercise workshop to learn the essential skills and considerations in planning for hazard mitigation and disaster recovery with a real case study from a coastal community in Texas. Participants will be presented with case study background material from Hurricane Harvey to help them understand the impacts from wind and flooding and common mitigation and recovery needs in small towns and cities. These include rebuilding and enhancing commercial districts and restoring livability in residential neighborhoods, the use of green infrastructure, and ways to revitalize economic activity while better protecting the community from natural hazards. The workshop will take place in a Zoom-based online format, allowing planning practitioners to participate directly from their own home or office.
The day will begin with a one-hour presentation about the case study community, accompanied by digital maps and a summary paper containing essential community data for consideration. Planners will form one or more small groups (depending on numbers) for a role-playing exercise to develop a basic outline of a recovery plan, including hazard mitigation components. The instructors will be available for consultation throughout the day, encouraging participants to use their professional imaginations to seek the most resilient solutions feasible within the community’s physical and economic constraints.
Instructors:
JAMES C. SCHWAB, FAICP
He is the principal for Jim Schwab Consulting LLC and adjunct assistant professor in the University of Iowa School of Planning and Public Affairs. He was the long-time Manager of the APA Hazards Planning Center until 2017, known for several innovative PAS Reports and research and training projects. He has a BA in Political Science from Cleveland State University, and MA’s from the University of Iowa in both Urban and Regional Planning and Journalism. He is currently chair of the APA Hazard Mitigation and Disaster Recovery Planning Division.
AMANDA TORRES
She is the Community Planner for the City of Rockport, Texas. She oversees land use planning and floodplain management for her organization. Prior to becoming Community Planner in Rockport, Amanda was City Planner and Assistant to the City Manager in the City of Aransas Pass, Texas. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics and a Master of Public Administration from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Ms. Torres has been recognized for her work in resilience and disaster recovery by the Gulf of Mexico Climate & Resilience Community of Practice and the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association.
Questions? Email Jim at jimschwabfaicp@outlook.com
DATE: November 11, 2022
TIME: 9:00am-4:00pm CT
PLACE: Virtually
AICP planners will earn 6 CM
Brought to you by the University of Iowa School of Planning and Public Affairs