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.
Due to Oskaloosa's increase in population, city officials were interested in recommendations that supported growth in a sustainable way. Students evaluated the economic and environmental impacts of the City's waste hauling system and made recommendations for developing a more environmentally friendly and economically sound program.
Students developed a series of events that aligned with Earth Day celebrations and involved residents. The final proposal outlined three goals and strategies: actively engage residents in community projects that incorporate sustainability; raise household awareness of resources to help sustain, build, and strengthen the community; and engage the youth and adolescent populations.
Urban and Regional Planning students studied the current state of the downtown area in Anamosa, Iowa and through research drafted a revitalization plan, Vision Anamosa, for local officials to use as they continue to build upon their current efforts.
Urban and Regional Planning students created The Wellman Sustainability Plan which centers on sustainability-oriented recommendations for the City of Wellman.
Recommendations were drafted based on surveys, public meetings, and discussions with local officials. The Plan was a ten-year road map that categorizes recommendations into seven topics: economic development, water, parks and recreations, transportation, energy efficiency, housing, and food.
Students in the School of Urban and Regional Planning gave four recommendations to the City of Iowa City and the Iowa City Downtown District about waste management in local alleyways in order to increase the use of the sustainability potential of these areas.