Natural Resources Related References

State Announces Reductions in Pollution to the Chesapeake Bay since 2004.

The Chester County Biodiesel Coalition -- Chester County school districts that are replacing conventional diesel with biofuels.

The Food Trust, which operates the Phoenixville Farmers Market has opened a farmers market at Headhouse Square in Center City Philadelphia, creating a major venue for locally grown foods.

The Villanova University College of Engineering unveiled a new Solar Electric System atop its Center for Engineering Education and Research.

Chester County Dentist Uses State Loan for Equipment That Saves Money, Reduces Pollution. The Small Business Pollution Prevention Assistance Account (PPAA) loan program has helped a Chester County dentist save money and improve the environment by conserving water, reducing waste disposal costs and increasing energy efficiency. For more information, contact Gene DelVecchio.

PhillyCarShare: an environmental movement is happening - thousands of Philadelphians are trading in car ownwership for PhillyCareShare for their personal or business car needs.

An increasing trend to establish bicycle programs in cities to reduce pollution and congestion problems. Promoting bike-sharing in Philadelphia helps alleviate some traffic congestion

Planning Related News and References

Chester County Greenhouse Gas Committee The County announced the formation of a 64-member Green House Gas Reduction Task Force that will recommend to the County Commissioners ways to deal with climate change and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Kickoff Meeting audio.

Philadelphia Green Builder Pioneer -- integrates renewable energy and green buildng strategies into homes that provide comfort and value.

Study of Subdivision Requirements as a Regulatory Barrier. This U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development study addresses, on a national level, the regulatory cost barriers associated with land subdivision, specifically barriers to the subdivision of land that can be developed with single-family detached dwellings. These requirements can have the impact of adding significantly to development costs, and therefore act as barriers to the development of affordable housing.

Putting the Pieces Together – Five Case Studies of Regional Cooperation in Pennsylvania
Citizens in York, St. Mary's, Clearfield Borough, Cameron County and the Lehigh Valley all have something in common. In each region, business and civic leaders have been working to promote regional cooperation as a way to strengthen economic development and unite communities. These case studies, prepared by 10,000 Friends and Pa. Economy League, demonstrate the ideals and the challenges these leaders face.

The Don't Borrow Trouble Suburban Philadelphia Campaign is a public education initiative aimed at stopping predatory lending practices in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties. The Campaign seeks to educate families and individuals about how to avoid predatory lending scams and about available community resources.

Sustainable Land Development Today - Land development industry publication (print and on-line) that contains information and articles on various issues affecting the industry and its partners. Their January newsletter contains articles including Industry (land development) outlook, evolving regulations, conservation and recreation projects, and state of the art utility systems.

Public Transit: A Green Line In New Jersey, Govenor Jon Corzine aims to strengthen both urbanism and public transit by proposing up to $75 million in tax credits in hopes of enticing companies to build or lease offices in certain cities, within a half-mile of transit stations.

Power Corridors opposed - Groups suing DOE over its ruling on large swaths of Mid-Atlantic states.

AMTRAK receives increased funding from appropriations bill. On December 26th, 2007 President Bush signed the FY08 appropriations bill which includes $1.325 billion for AMTRAK.  $475 million will be used for operating funds, $15 million less than 2007.  Funding for capital improvements is up $70 million from 2007 and $285 million is expected for debt service.  AMTRAK will continue to enhance safety, security and service in addition to providing infrastructure improvements along the Northeast corridor from Boston to Washington D.C.  See Amtrak’s FY2008 Grant and Legislative Request or the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2007.

Transit adds value to communities no matter the economic climate. Transit has the ability to increase (or at least sustain) value because it provides more people with access to commerce in a given area; it also improves one's quality of life in congested metropolitan areas like Washington D.C.

DEP Approves New Morgan Borough, Berks County Landfill Expansion.

Pennsylvania: Bill allowing temporary moratoriums would give municipal leaders time to rewrite outdated Land Use rules.

SustainLane US City Rankings -- Look beyond Philadelphia's patchwork of abandoned manufacturing sites, and you'll find a city that's emerging as a solid model of how cities can reduce environmental impact while maintaining vibrant local neighborhoods and culture.

Upcoming Events

7th Annual New Partners for Smart Growth: Building Safe, Healthy and Livable Communities. February 7-9, 2008, Washington DC.

Keep Farming First February 14, 2008 at Penn State Great Valley Campus. Rising energy costs are a big topic for Pennsylvania farmers. That's why alternative energy production and energy conservation are at the top of the list on the program for Keep Farming First '08 - the 6th annual farm summit. Visit Chester County 2020 for more information, a full schedule, and the opportunity to sign up on line.

2008 Philadelphia Flower Show, March 2 - 9th at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Reduce Automobile Traffic, Promote Healthier Living and Make A More Sustainable City: February 17, 2008 at the Academy of Natural Sciences. Public Use Bicycle Programs (bike sharing) are changing urban transportation in cities all over the world. For more information contact Roland Wall.

Master Planner training available in March – Chester County 2020, the Chester County Planning Commission, and West Chester University's School of Business & Public Affairs and Department of Geography & Planning will offer a Master Planner course focused on Zoning. This 3-night course is being made available to all municipal planning commission members.

The Philadelphia Home Show January 19 - 27 2008 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

2008 Philadelphia Sustainability Awards Ceremony March 3, 2008. The evening will celebrate all our award nominees, highlight the finalists and reveal which were the most environmentally, economically and socially sustainable projects in the Greater Philadelphia region.

Good Jobs, Green Jobs: A National Green Jobs Conference March 13-14, 2008 at The Westin Hotel, Pittsburgh PA.

New Approaches to Zoning and Design in the Delaware Valley. Land Use & Housing Committee - January 31, 2008 at DVRPC.

2008 CNU Charter Awards - Honoring the best of the New Urbanism: Design, Planning and Development Achievements.

2008 Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference April 3-5, 2008, Malvern PA.

Terminology Corner

Perspectives on terms used in Landscapes2 Discussions.  These links are included to serve as a reference to help Landscapes2 Project participants understand the meaning, scope and application of terms.  A fundamental outcome of the Project will be to set policies that balance growth and preservation.  The links provided do not represent adopted policies but rather are provided to help explain the meaning of the terms, evaluate various perspectives, and explore potential applications of the concepts as part the update process for the County's Policy Plan.

Smart Growth

Wikipedia definition
 Urban Land Institute publication
American Planning Association Policy Guilde on Sustainability

Sustainable Development

Wikipedia definition
PlanetiZen Website

Link

Sustainable Pittsburgh