For decades, regional planning promoted growth and development increasingly further away from employment centers. This has resulted in urban sprawl, displacement and gentrification, and the infringement on natural and working lands at the rural-urban interface. This “set it and forget it” approach to planning is not sustainable economically or environmentally. This is particularly true in megaregions like Northern California. This webinar explores how cities and counties adjacent to major employment centers like San Francisco and Silicon Valley have plans for retrofitting these communities to accommodate much needed housing growth and mobility expansion in a way that is equitable and sustainable, both environmentally and economically. Panelists will describe the challenges that metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) face, as well as specific opportunities and programs they are working on to make positive changes that will continue decades into the future.

NJ TRANSIT and the Transit Friendly Planning Program are excited to launch the new "Transit Friendly Planning: A Guide for New Jersey Communities". During this launch event, the authors will provide an overview of the content contained in the guide during a 1-hour presentation and Q&A session. The second hour of the event will provide attendees an opportunity to chat with NJT staff and local and state agencies about current or future transit friendly planning projects in their communities.

The Responding to Climate Change webinar will include three presentations on the topics of green infrastructure, hazard mitigation planning, and wildfire hazard mitigation strategies.

The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness along with the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management will be sponsoring several deliveries of a two-day training course titled, Coastal Hazard and Vulnerability Assessment Tools (PER-378). The National Disaster Preparedness Training Center (NDPTC) at the University of Hawaii, a member of the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium (NDPC), will be instructing the DHS approved training course. There is no-cost to attend this course.

What do planners need to know about climate science? From rising seas to evolving weather patterns that include more frequent storms, heat and fire events, there is much to understand about the intersection of climate and planning. This webinar will provide a concise overview of changing climate conditions and their impact on current planning practice.

The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness along with the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management will be sponsoring several deliveries of a two-day training course titled, Coastal Hazard and Vulnerability Assessment Tools (PER-378). The National Disaster Preparedness Training Center (NDPTC) at the University of Hawaii, a member of the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium (NDPC), will be instructing the DHS approved training course. There is no-cost to attend this course.

On November 3, 2020, New Jersey voters approved New Jersey Public Question 1, an amendment to the State constitution to legalize the recreational use of cannabis by people ages 21 and older, with 67% voting yes and 33% voting no. In 2021, 70% of municipalities voted to opt out of allowing cannabis in their city or town. Yet, most of these municipalities are expected to opt in in the near future. Why?

What are planners doing around the country to incorporate climate considerations into their practice of planning? This course will take a deep dive into the intersection of climate science and planning, with emphasis on applying effective planning tools and techniques to the challenge of changing climate conditions. Caroline Cunningham AICP CFM, Principal with Stantec, and Katrina Kelly-Pitou PhD, Systems Design Strategist with SmithGroup, will instruct participants on the best practices in this field around the country while touching on key concepts in the science of climate, measurable impacts of climate on communities today, and best forecasts for how climate will affect the form and livability of communities in the future.