Public Affairs – �鶹��Ƶ

The National City Earthquake Safety & Outreach Initiative

Ada Inman — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 16:41:12 +0000

This report contains a series of policy proposals developed by San Diego State University (SDSU) students, in collaboration with National City officials and the SDSU Sage Project, to increase the use of existing earthquake preparedness resources among National City residents. The primary focus of student research was the California Earthquake Brace + Bolt program and encouraging homeowners to engage in seismic retrofitting. Additionally, students developed policy recommendations aimed at increasing general earthquake safety, awareness, and education. Being located in Southern California, earthquake preparedness
is a topic the SDSU community is very familiar with and many students were able to use this as an opportunity to draw upon prior knowledge in their research.
Students worked to create policy suggestions specific to National City, based on methods proven effective in similar municipalities, by researching how the area’s demographics may impact the use of community resources. National City is a heavily Hispanic city, with a large population that does not speak English as a first language. As such, many of the policies in this report focus on bridging that gap in communication and establishing trust between community members and those with access to earthquake preparedness resources. Another major trend among policies developed by students was a focus on finding creative ways to lower the economic burden on residents interested in seismic retrofitting. This led to the creation of several innovative proposals focused on helping residents pay for seismic retrofitting, primarily where other government programs would not suffice. These policies may be more difficult to implement than direct outreach, but they represent an alternate approach the city could take to encourage seismic retrofitting.
The policies presented in this report were chosen for their adaptability as part of a larger earthquake awareness initiative, as well as their ability to function independently. As stressed by National City officials, the city budget does not have any extra funding for extensive earthquake preparedness programs. The purpose behind choosing policies which can operate independently is to work around these constraints and offer solutions that may be more budget-friendly. These policies are categorized based upon the type of actor affected: resident, government group, or external organization.

Enhancing Membership Retention at the Tempe Chamber of Commerce Through Organizational Analysis

Ada Inman — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 20:09:54 +0000

The Tempe Chamber of Commerce supports local businesses and drives economic growth in the City of Tempe, a vibrant hub of innovation in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. Committed to providing value to its members and strengthening the local business community, the Chamber is exploring strategies to improve membership retention and engagement. Undergraduate students from the School of Applied Professional Studies will conduct a SWOT analysis, analyze Porter’s Five Forces, perform internal and external environmental evaluations, and apply other strategic management tools to identify areas of improvement and produce project recommendations for ongoing evaluation to support long-term membership retention.

Strategic Visioning for Scalable Workforce Program Alignment

Ada Inman — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 20:06:05 +0000

The City of Tempe is a forward-looking community dedicated to building a resilient and inclusive economy that meets the needs of its residents and regional partners. With a strong focus on workforce development, the City is evaluating how to better align its programs with evolving industry demands and long-term labor market trends. As part of this effort, students from the School of Public Affairs will analyze current workforce programs, identify gaps, and assess opportunities for strategic growth and improved industry partnerships. The project will result in two key deliverables: an internal report with labor market analysis and stakeholder input, and a strategic roadmap outlining scalable program enhancements for the next 3–5 years.

Exploring Tax Increment Financing Strategies for the City of Tempe

Ada Inman — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 20:02:12 +0000

The City of Tempe is a dynamic and innovative community located in the heart of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. Home to more than 190,000 residents and the Arizona State University Tempe Campus, the City is committed to advancing sustainable, inclusive, and forward-thinking policies that enhance quality of life for all. As part of these efforts, the City is exploring the potential of tax increment financing (TIF) as a tool to support targeted redevelopment and economic growth. Students from the School of Public Affairs will research the structure, benefits, and challenges of TIF implementation in comparable cities, engage with key stakeholders and city staff, and produce two deliverables: an internal report with literature review and case analysis, and a persuasive policy brief outlining a proposed TIF model suited to Tempe’s needs.

Designing City-led Innovation: Strategic Support for Tempe’s Entrepreneurs

Ada Inman — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 19:53:11 +0000

The City of Tempe is a dynamic hub of innovation and economic activity within the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, home to over 190,000 residents and the Arizona State University Tempe Campus. Committed to fostering inclusive growth and supporting local entrepreneurship, the City is exploring new ways to strengthen its role in supporting its business community. Graduate students from the School of Public Affairs will assess how Tempe can enhance its support for entrepreneurs by identifying gaps in services, analyzing best practices from incubator and accelerator models nationwide, and mapping the existing entrepreneurial landscape in the Greater Phoenix area. Students will conduct a comprehensive study using stakeholder interviews, surveys, and site visits to evaluate needs and opportunities for service alignment. Final deliverables will include practical, evidence-based recommendations for new services, infrastructure, or partnerships that Tempe could pursue to strengthen its entrepreneurial community.

Friends of the Library Evaluation

Ada Inman — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 18:58:32 +0000

The City of Chandler, located in the southeastern Phoenix Metropolitan Area, is a thriving community of innovation seeking to plan a sustainable future for its residents, businesses, and visitors. As the City is dedicated to providing high quality services to the community, the Library Division of the Community Services Department is interested in evaluating its successful Friends of the Library partnership, as well as other Friends of programs and partnerships, to explore opportunities for leveraging this type of programming to improve other Community Services divisions. To advance these efforts, undergraduate Public Affairs Capstone students will collaborate with the City of Chandler through the ASU Project Cities program to examine Friends of the Library partnerships and programming locally and nationally and evaluate and assess the Chandler Friends of the Library program characteristics. Student findings and recommendations will help to inform opportunities and strategies for replicability of Friends of partnerships and programming throughout the City of Chandler.

Investigating opportunities to share services and improve efficiency in Iowa County

Ada Inman — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 21:40:45 +0000

Shared services have become more common in Wisconsin due to the variety of benefits these collaborations can offer for cost savings, expanded staff and resource capacity, and innovation through knowledge sharing. This report provided a list of suggested shared services for the county and evaluated the feasibility and benefits of each to recommend the three [...]

Enhancing Climate Change Awareness and Preparedness in the Agriculture Sector of the City of Calamba Laguna

Ada Inman — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 19:33:52 +0000

The project titled “Enhancing Climate Change Awareness and Preparedness in the Agriculture Sector of the City of Calamba, Laguna” is a collaborative initiative between the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) and the City Government of Calamba. It seeks to respond to the growing vulnerability of local farmers to the impacts of climate change, such as erratic weather patterns, flooding, and prolonged droughts that affect agricultural productivity and food security. Farmers in Calamba, who produce key commodities like rice, corn, and vegetables, have limited access to timely information on climate risks and adaptive technologies. The project was designed to bridge this gap through a two-pronged approach: first, by developing and implementing an Information and Education Campaign (IEC) on Climate Change in Agriculture; and second, by integrating climate change considerations into the City’s Food Security Plan. This project aligns directly with SDG 1 (No Poverty) by aiming to protect the livelihoods of farmers, SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by contributing to a more resilient food system, and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by promoting adaptive strategies at both the community and policy levels.
The project draws on the academic strengths of UPLB. Graduate students from the College of Development Communication (CDC), enrolled in DEVC 208 (Communication Approaches in Development Programs) under the guidance of Dr. Elaine Llarena, was responsible for the design and development of IEC materials tailored to the communication preferences and information needs of local farmers. Simultaneously, students from the College of Public Affairs and Development (CPAf), enrolled in DM 224 (Development Management) under Dr. Miriam Caryl Carada, reviewed and assessed the city’s Food Security Plan to identify opportunities for climate change integration. These academic collaborations demonstrate how higher education institutions can be active partners in local development, applying research-based knowledge and communication strategies to real-world challenges.
Several city government offices were involved in the partnership, including the City Agricultural Services Department (CASD) as the lead implementing agency. Other key partners included the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), the City Information, Investment Promotions, and Employment Services Office (IIPESO), the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC). Farmer leaders from different commodity groups also played a crucial role by providing on-the-ground perspectives through focus group discussions and interviews.
During the initial implementation phase, students conducted a situation analysis, audience research, and program assessment to understand both the communication needs and policy context surrounding climate change and agriculture in Calamba. Based on these findings, they developed a suite of IEC materials including radio plug scripts, short video reels, infographics, PowerPoint presentations, and customized hand-held fans that communicate key messages on climate resilience and crop insurance. These materials are now being used by CASD during trainings, seminars, and farmers’ meetings. At the same time, the DM 224 class submitted an analysis and set of recommendations to help the city enhance its Food Security Plan with a stronger focus on climate risk management. These academic outputs were shared with CASD and other local agencies to serve as references for future policy revisions.
This project, still in its early implementation stages, illustrates the power of community-engaged scholarship in addressing urgent local development issues. By strategically aligning university assets with local government priorities, it advances key global goals while equipping vulnerable communities with the tools and knowledge they need to become more resilient to climate change. It stands as a replicable model for integrating sustainable development principles into local governance, capacity building, and education.

Enhancing Disaster Preparedness of Lakeshore Communities in Calamba City, Laguna, Philippines

Ada Inman — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 19:23:43 +0000

The project titled “Enhancing Disaster Preparedness of Lakeshore Communities in Calamba City, Laguna, Philippines” is a collaborative initiative between the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) and the City Government of Calamba, implemented under the �鶹��Ƶ framework. It was conceptualized to address the urgent needs of ten lakeshore barangays in Calamba that are highly susceptible to flooding due to their proximity to Laguna Lake. These communities face chronic challenges related to poor solid waste management, health and sanitation issues, and inadequate disaster preparedness—conditions that were further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
To directly respond to these local vulnerabilities, the project aligned its objectives with key global targets, specifically Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Prior to project implementation, partnerships were established with various academic units within UPLB, including three graduate-level courses: DEVC 208 (Communication Approaches in Development Programs) from the College of Development Communication, and DM 201 (Development Perspective) and DM 223 (Project Development Management) from the College of Public Affairs and Development. Faculty members supervised students as they applied academic knowledge to address community-based development issues.
The project also involved collaboration with critical offices of the City Government of Calamba, namely the City Agricultural Services Department (CASD), City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), and the City Information, Investment Promotions, and Employment Services Office (IIPESO). Barangay officials, the Bantay Lawa Volunteers, and the Fishery and Aquatic Resources Management Council (FARMC) were also vital community partners, providing on-the-ground insights and local support.
The project had two primary components. The first focused on crafting and implementing an Information and Education Campaign (IEC) on sanitation and waste management during flooding in the pandemic context. Graduate students from DEVC 208 conducted situation and audience analyses, designed culturally relevant IEC materials (tarpaulins, calendars, and leaflets), and worked closely with barangays to ensure effective dissemination. Materials were distributed in print and shared through the city’s social media platforms and local radio, helping to broaden awareness, particularly among youth and household leaders. Post-distribution focus group discussions confirmed increased knowledge and behavioral change in solid waste management, reinforcing the project’s alignment with SDGs 3 and 6.
The second component aimed to enhance disaster preparedness by revisiting the existing Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plans (BDRRMPs). Graduate students from DM 201 and DM 223 assessed the plans using development and project planning frameworks, identifying gaps, and proposing practical, data-informed improvements. These assessments and recommendations were submitted to barangay and city officials and are now being considered in the revision of both local and city-wide disaster preparedness plans—contributing directly to SDG 13 (Climate Action).
Ultimately, the project fostered a model of community-engaged scholarship and intersectoral collaboration. It demonstrated how universities can leverage academic resources to empower vulnerable communities, strengthen local governance, and advance sustainable development goals. Moving forward, the project partners are committed to ensuring the continuity of its gains through expanded partnerships with schools, ongoing LGU engagement, training sessions, and support for localized policy development—promoting long-term resilience and sustainability in Calamba’s lakeshore communities.

Exploring Challenges and Opportunities for Water Conservation and Stormwater Management in the Verde Valley Watershed

Ada Inman — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:06:48 +0000

The Town of Camp Verde, located in the Verde Valley, a region in central Arizona, is interested in exploring new opportunities and pathways to promote water conservation in the local community as well as regional watershed. While the region faces ongoing challenges around water quantity and quality – which are being addressed through collaboration with local and national nongovernmental organizations and other critical partners – downstream issues such as stormwater management are also integral to long-term conservation efforts. The Town collaborated with Master of Public Affairs students to identify and examine challenges, opportunities, and best practices for 1) the development of municipal ordinances that promote water conservation and stormwater management in the Verde Valley watershed and 2) education, communication, and awareness-building around water conservation for target audiences in the Verde Valley watershed, including: K-12 youth, adult residents and retirees, and visitors. Findings will inform updates and additions to ordinances as well as a framework for further education and engagement with key audiences in the local community.