The Military's 'Future First' Planning

The Air Force revamps its strategy for reusing contaminated sites.

1 minute read

March 4, 2004, 1:00 PM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"Future first planning was born in 2003 after the environmental staff at Air Combat Command, the war fighting arm of the Air Force, asked the command's Civil Engineer, Brig. Gen. Patrick Burns, to take a look at a newly capped landfill at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. He drove by the site on his way to lunch that day and immediately called his environmental staff. '[Let me get this straight,' he said. "We capped the landfill. We put up large red and white signs every 100 feet around the property saying, 'Do not enter or dig on this site.' And we're proud of that? Come and see me tomorrow to discuss how we could have a future vision for that site before we start to clean it up.' Before you knew it, future first planning emerged and the signs came down."

Thanks to Chris Steins

Wednesday, March 3, 2004 in Planning Magazine

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Person in yellow safety suit and white helmet kneels to examine water samples outdoors on a lake shore.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure

If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

May 1, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Concrete building wth Department of Housing and Urban Development sign

Local Governments Sue HUD Over Funding Cuts

A new lawsuit alleges that the Trump administration’s revised guidelines for housing and homelessness assistance funds will decimate key programs.

6 hours ago - The Mercury News

Inside of self-driving truck on road.

California Is Retooling its AV Guidelines

The California DMV is proposing a new framework for light- and heavy-duty self-driving trucks that would enhance reporting requirements and pave the way for autonomous commercial fleets.

7 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

Row of two-story homes in Boulder, Colorado.

Proposed Boulder Ballot Measures Call for Impact Fees, Affordable Duplexes

Boulder residents are working to put two housing-related proposals on the November ballot.

May 6 - Boulder Reporting Lab

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.

Senior Manager Operations, Urban Planning

New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO