Floodplain management encompasses a number of systems and resources that share a common denominator – water. Floodwater, stormwater, wastewater, stream flow, groundwater, tides and waves are all interconnected in some way, especially in a small, densely developed, water-rich state like New Jersey. As we experience more frequent and intense storms and precipitation events, and as we continue to develop and redevelop our communities, understanding these interconnections becomes critical to protecting people and property, and maintaining various water systems and infrastructure in the most efficient, cost-effective manner.

The 2019 NJAFM annual conference provides an opportunity to bring people together from various sectors in order to promote multi-objective outcomes, by identifying common ground and overlaps in the respective work that we do. Looking at floodplain management from this perspective allows us to consider the full range of water-related impacts and to leverage our collective energy and resources to achieve common goals.

In this course, the PLANNING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE (PHCI) will lead an introductory training on health impact assessment as a tool to promote community health and equity in planning processes and decision- making. Participants engage in group exercises related to HIA steps, discuss opportunities and challenges to integrating health into planning and policy processes, and learn about new statewide collaborative initiatives and emerging tools to build capacity for health advancement in planning, and to support health in all policies.

The DNJ conference hosts over 100 downtown professionals, real estate experts, designers, developers, lawyers, public officials, and community organizers for this full day of education, networking, and celebration of achievement. 

Join more than 300 state and local decision-makers, practitioners and stakeholders to amplify the importance of addressing New Jersey's water infrastructure, explore innovative solutions and national models, and celebrate the Jersey Water Works collaborative and its members.

Many of our public processes require some form of community outreach and engagement, but do these efforts lead to meaningful community engagement? Yes, we can tick the box to say that we've held the requisite public hearing or placed the public advertisement, has the community been reached?

New Jersey Future’s annual Redevelopment Forum is our biggest event of the year, attracting more than 500 local and state officials, citizen activists, development professionals, architects, attorneys, planners, business leaders and students. Redevelopment allows us to re-use infrastructure, take advantage of historically strategic locations, maintain and improve our communities and preserve our remaining open spaces. It is clear that redevelopment, already at the heart of many of the opportunities available today, will play an even more vital role in the future.