Urban and Regional Planning – �鶹��Ƶ

Assessing demand and anticipated impacts of housing affordability programs in the village

Ada Inman — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 21:26:18 +0000

Graduate students researched an initiative supported by tax-incremental district funds aimed at strengthening the community’s housing stock and expanding access to homeownership for middle- and low-income residents. The students analyzed the homeowner-assistance component of HomeReach across four targeted programs: aging in place, emergency health and safety hazard mitigation, down payment assistance and home improvement, and [...]

LIRLAP: Linking disaster risk governance and land-use planning: the case of informal settlements in hazard prone areas in the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam

Ada Inman — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 18:23:51 +0000

LIRLAP takes a dynamic perspective and assesses the impacts of future urban growth and densification scenarios in Metro Manila on, first, the future growth of informal settlements by means of urban growth models considering the urban morphology and socio-economic factor and, second, on the future availability of land suitable for receiving resettlement (WP 1).

Moreover, the R&D phase analysis lessons learnt from other countries and deeply by fieldworks on on-site upgrading of informal settlements and on retreat options, enhanced by knowledge transfer to and from Thailand and Vietnam.

This knowledge leads to two pilot studies for resilient upgrading and resilient retreat designs on the ground (WP 2 and WP 3) and to guidelines for resilient upgrading and resilient retreat. This package will serve for mainstreaming upgrading and retreat in urban risk management (WP 4), assessing local policies in South East Asia and disseminated to relevant stakeholders. The same applies to tailor-made training courses and a Joint PhD program with UP SURP where knowledge and solutions will be generated and transferred and disseminated (WP 5).

Developing a strategic plan for Jackson County

Ada Inman — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 16:13:18 +0000

Informed by staff surveys, a community profile, and a workshop with Jackson County staff, Urban and Regional Planning graduate students developed a strategic plan for Jackson County. The plan included updated mission, vision, and values statements and identified key strategy areas to help inform how the county prioritizes and coordinates its efforts. Contact: UniverCityAlliance@wisc.edu [...]

Planning for phosphorus reduction and sustainable development

Ada Inman — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 21:33:00 +0000

To address environmental sustainability, the Village of DeForest collaborated with a graduate student who developed a framework to determine varied levels of protection of natural areas that allows for a variety of development. The goal of the project was to protect surface water quality by reducing the phosphorus load entering the Yahara River from untreated [...]

Jim Holm Park Evaluation

Ada Inman — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 21:12:52 +0000

Over time, the renovation of Jim Holm Park has risen in priority with the City of Granite Falls. The park renovation has the potential to help address the many needs of various age and recreational interest groups. The City wishes to be quite intentional in how it determines these needs on this signature park property. Students will help evaluate recreational uses, facilities, green space, security and visibility, pedestrian and other non-motorized access and circulation, and multi-age recreational and social benefits.

Municipal Campus Property Evaluation

Ada Inman — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 20:53:01 +0000

The Granite Falls City Council has directed staff to seek a functional design for lots adjacent to the “Granite Falls Municipal Campus”, which could include an open space plaza area for civic events and a future community center building. The City of Granite Falls wishes to receive sound assistance to evaluate all options surrounding land use, site plan layout, feasibility, and access. After preliminary discussion, the prevailing preferred options to consider include a new multipurpose community center, young children’s play area/play equipment, Veterans Memorial, small adjacent ground-based water feature for children’s access and enjoyment, and associated on-street and off-street public/municipal parking. Students will evaluate the feasibility of development, and provide conceptual site planning solutions for the properties to include layouts and other facility details presented in a clear, efficient, cost-effective, and harmonious way.

Marine Services Sector Cluster

Ada Inman — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 20:11:00 +0000

Pacific County Economic Development Council is working to create a plan for an “industry cluster” of business and educational resources that specifically addresses their growing marine services sector. This cluster would bring together marine and maritime-dependent businesses, innovators, and educators for local sourcing of expertise necessary to support modern vessel maintenance and operations.

Attention will focus on Port of Willapa Harbor properties (South Bend Boat, Nettleson’s building, Bendiksen’s Landing, Tokeland Marina, South Fork lands and wharf, Raymond dock) where a regional “hub” of marine services could be centered. The plan will also explore collaboration with Grays Harbor College, local Raymond and South Bend High Schools, UW Washington Sea Grant for marine services education and job development programs, and regional coastal counties for RISE grant funding (US Economic Development Agency).

Downtown Raymond Revitalization

Ada Inman — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 20:05:45 +0000

This project will focus on a plan for downtown Raymond’s revitalization, emphasizing infrastructure improvements and economic development for “Main Street,” and considering a “creative district” attraction/development. Community, Environment, and Planning (CEP) students will interview Raymond stakeholders (city staff, council, and community leaders), and produce a final report summarizing their findings, relevant case studies, analysis, and [...]

South Bend Waterfront Revitalization Plan

Ada Inman — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 19:59:34 +0000

Envision a master plan for development of commercial properties and public access along South Bend’s Willapa River frontage extending from the South Bend Boat building to the Willapa Hills Trailhead at Summit Avenue in Raymond. A requisite goal is to extend the terminus of the Willapa Hills State Park Trail (currently ending/beginning at Summit Avenue) into downtown South Bend (past the South Bend Boat operation). Expanding the Trail with public spaces is an objective, helping energize downtown South Bend and provide safe pedestrian access for the community.

This waterfront extent includes parcels that are privately and publicly-owned (by South Bend, Pacific County, and the Port of Willapa Harbor). The Master Plan should consider ownership easements required, auto- and pedestrian-circulation around trail areas, and provision of utilities (electrical power, water, sewer). Sea-level rise over future decades should be reflected in recommendations and concerns.Renderings of proposed new trail or road/structure construction would be valued. Issues and constraints, including environmental cleanup or permitting requirements within the waterfront area (within the Shoreline Management Plans of South Bend and Pacific County). Multiple project phases should be proposed, including a future phase where a Willapa Bay “ferry” dock is established.

EV Charging Station Needs Assessment and Idealized Mapping

Ada Inman — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 19:51:12 +0000

Electric vehicle charging infrastructure must be rapidly developed over the next decade to ensure satisfactory capacity for expected needs by both residents of Pacific County and visitors. Seasonal tourism to the county (especially to the Long Beach Peninsula for fishing, clamming, fireworks, kite flying, sports tournaments, miscellaneous festivals) attracts tens of thousands of visitors on any given weekend. Charging stations for electric vehicles for both residents and these regular visitor swells must be available both at public venues (state, county, city parks, parking areas near coastal attractions, industrial ports, libraries, schools, medical facilities) and private commercial establishments (lodging, retail, dining, as well as places of employment). With this project, propose where (ideally) locations for fast-charging (Level II or III) stations can/should be sited.

Propose a ten-year phase-in of construction. Consider if other jurisdictions across the U.S. (particularly those rural areas where seasonal tourism will create significant needs) provide a guide, planning process, or best practices that might be leveraged in Pacific County. Document assumptions (number of vehicles needing electric charging, resident needs, tourist needs, average charging time). Clearly and proportionately assess numbers and placement of charging stations at public sites (especially tourism focused) and private locations (largely hospitality businesses catering to visitors). Discussion with local municipal planners and federal/state/county public sites (parks, libraries, schools, hospitals, etc) is expected as part of this exercise, to ensure consideration of local plans (perhaps already-in-process considerations), current zoning ordinances, and planned development.