The City of Richmond, California, has received a grant from the California Endowment to include a Public Health Element in its General Plan -- one of the first in the state.
The City of Richmond, California, is in the midst of a comprehensive General Plan update that is geared not only to meet the regulatory requirements, but as a catalyst for change and innovation. In that vein, the City with the assistance of Moore Iacofano Goltsman, Inc. (MIG) and PolicyLink applied for a grant with the California Endowment to conduct a Health Impact Assessment and to develop health policies to guide future land development.
"Every city and county in California is required to have an updated general plan. Richmond will consider public health as it makes plans for walkable communities, safe bicycle routes and a clean environment, said Daniel Iacofano, a principal of Moore Iacofano Goltsman, which is overseeing the planning process.
"In Richmond we have an opportunity to fundamentally change the way cities plan for the future by showing the link between our physical environment and public health," Iacofano said. "Where you live, work, play and go to school has an effect on your health...
Richmond has 32 miles of shoreline, but we have whole parts of the city that are literally cut off from that," Iacofano said. "These communities don't have access to fresh air, views and opportunities to understand one's environment."
The General Plan will be completed in early 2008.
Thanks to Mindy Craig
FULL STORY: Richmond plans will put public health at forefront

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie