141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

293728
Smart growth solutions for climate resilience

Wednesday, November 6, 2013 : 1:10 PM - 1:30 PM

Megan Susman , Office of Sustainable Communities, US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC
Smart growth strategies can help residents stay safer in extreme weather and also live healthier everyday lives. Decisions made now about buildings, streets, and community design will have long-lasting repercussions, and communities are beginning to realize that they need to plan their neighborhoods to prepare for changes in the climate. A variety of tools, resources, and models can help communities plan for development that is more resilient to extreme weather and is good for the environment, the economy, public health, and the community as a whole. This presentation will explain the connections between community design and resilience and offer ideas for preparing for climate change in ways that make your community stronger, healthier, and more prosperous now as well as in the future.

Learning Areas:
Other professions or practice related to public health

Learning Objectives:
Explain how community design affects disaster preparedness and resilience. Describe tools, resources, and models that can help communities plan for more resilient, smart growth development. Demonstrate health, environmental, and economic cobenefits of resilient community design.

Keywords: Community Planning, Climate Change

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have worked on smart growth issues for nearly 15 years, performing research, creating publications, and providing direct technical assistance to communities on a variety of topics including climate resilience. I served for two years as the co-chair of the Communities Adaptation Workgroup of the Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force and contributed to a technical input document for the Urban Systems, Infrastructure, and Vulnerability chapter of the 2013 National Climate Assessment.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.