Planning & Public Affairs

The School of Planning and Public Affairs is committed to admitting a diverse student body and supporting a learning environment in which many values and perspectives contribute to the richness of the educational experience, to the fields of planning, public policy, and public administration, and to the communities in which we we live and work.

 

complete neighborhoods a guidebook.png

Complete Neighborhoods: A Guidebook

Published
Monday, June 10, 2024
Academic year
2023-2024

As part of their capstone project, students seeking the Transportation Certificate in the School of Planning & Public Affairs created a comprehensive resource for communities to work toward "complete neighborhoods" that provide close access to basic needs. They also applied the Complete Neighborhoods concepts in a collaboration with officials from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 

Policy and Persuasion group photo

Bondurant Community and Economic Development Policy Briefs

Published
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

Students in the course Policy and Persuasion worked with City of Bondurant representatives to develop policy directions for issues related to the city's rapid growth and their desire to preserve the community's core "hometown" identity.    

ECR Cover Photo

ECR Transportation Gap Study

Published
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

Faculty researchers and University of Iowa students collaborated with an Eastern Iowa regional provider, ECR, on a study to close transportation gaps for individuals with brain health/mental health needs and disabilities.

alleyway with red bricks

Dubuque Green Alleyways Policy Analysis

Published
Monday, September 18, 2023
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

As part of their capstone project, Public Affairs graduate students developed metrics and conducted an analysis of Dubuque's Green Alleyways Project, which is designed to improve the aesthetic and environmental functions of alleys in the Bee Branch Watershed.  

Affordable Housing Project Team

Dubuque Affordable Housing Action Plan

Published
Monday, September 18, 2023
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

Urban & Regional Planning and Sustainable Development graduate students synthesized existing documents and developed new strategies to create the City of Dubuque's first plan focused specifically on Affordable Housing.   

Carnegie Stout Public Library

Dubuque - Public Library Policy for Vulnerable and At-Risk Patrons

Published
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
Academic year
2023-2024
Partner

Throughout the 2023-2024 academic year, students from the University of Iowa’s Masters of Public Affairs program partnered with the Carnegie-Stout Public Library staff to undertake the creation of best policies and procedures to enhance social service support for individuals in need while also reducing disruptions in the library.

Sustainable Stormwater Systems

Sustainable Stormwater Systems

Published
Friday, May 12, 2023
Academic year
2022-2023

Urban & Regional Planning student Mae McDonough completed a StoryMap about Sustainable Stormwater Systems as part of a graduate independent study project. 

This online resource explains the importance of stormwater management, common terminology, management tools, case study research, and funding and technical resources. 

You can access the StoryMap here.

 

colorful pencils surrounding the word survey

City of Clinton Employee Survey

Published
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Academic year
2022-2023
Partner

Students and faculty in the School of Planning and Public Affairs conducted a survey of employee satisfaction, needs, and opportunities among City of Clinton employees. 

In the spring of 2023, the City of Clinton requested assistance from the Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities (IISC) to conduct a survey of the City’s workforce. The survey aimed to provide employees with an opportunity to express their opinions, concerns, and ideas about their work environment, department/organizational culture, and overall job satisfaction.

Group of people

Addressing Opioid Use Disorder in Clinton

Published
Friday, December 30, 2022
Academic year
2022-2023
Partner

As part of their capstone project, graduate students in Planning and Public Affairs analyzed the current opioid crisis in the greater Clinton area and made policy recommendations to address the issue. 

URP Open House

Updating the 2006 Mason City Comprehensive Plan

Published
Monday, September 26, 2022
Academic year
2016-2017
Partner

As part of their capstone project, second-year graduate students from the University of Iowa’s School of Urban & Regional Planning will update Mason City’s 2006 Comprehensive Plan, with a thematic view towards environmental and social resiliency and a topical focus on aging in place.

Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Project Team

Clinton - Youth Substance Abuse Prevention

Published
Wednesday, August 24, 2022
Academic year
2022-2023
Partner

For their capstone project, graduate students in Public Affairs worked with city officials to identify strategies to address drug misuse trends among youth in Clinton, Iowa.

a group of rental bicycles

Clinton - Greening Downtown through Cycling

Published
Wednesday, August 24, 2022
Academic year
2022-2023
Partner

Students in a course in the School of Planning and Public Affairs developed recommendations to "green" downtown Clinton by improving opportunities for cycling.