Lesson 8 - Infrastructure Planning

Question 1

Infrastructure

Answer 1

Infrastructure is a broad ranging topic including water, sewers, telecommunications, and solid waste, among others. In this functional topic you should understand the basics of service areas for each type infrastructure - including population to be served, per capita service requirement, and geography of the service area. As an example, the City of Anchorage has a Utility Corridor Plan that serves as an example of the critical nature of infrastructure planning. The City of Boulder has a fire rescue master plan. San Diego created a regional water facilities master plan. Los Angeles has an Urban Water Management Plan. APA has a Green Communities Center that is focused on green infrastructure and water resources among other areas. APA has a policy guide on solid and hazardous waste management. Below are several terms with which you should be familiar related to infrastructure.

Question 2

Adequate public facilities ordinance (APFO)

Answer 2

Adequate public facilities ordinance (APFO) allows local governments to deny or delay new developments if the existing government services (water and sewer, roads, schools, fire and police) cannot support it. The APFO ensures that new development does not negatively impact a community’s quality of life by overburdening public services. Instead, the APFO places this burden on developers to ensure that there will be adequate services for the proposed developments, and will delay the developments until such services are in place. The APFO alone is not the solution to poorly planned growth, but it is an important tool for local government to manage the pace of growth. For instance, a local government can say that a development is only possible if it provides service level of C or higher. The APFO should not stand alone; it should be done in partnership with an effective capital improvements program that adds infrastructure as it is demanded. The APA published a PAS Report titled Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances and Transportation Management on this topic.

Question 3

Concurrency

Answer 3

Concurrency is the practice of requiring that infrastructure be in place and available at a specified level of service prior to allowing new development to occur. For example, the City of Tallahassee implements a concurrency requirement, which is required by the State of Florida. The City tracks new development permits to ensure there is sufficient infrastructure capacity to serve new development.

Question 4

Daylighting

Answer 4

Daylighting is the practice of placing windows, or other transparent media, and reflective surfaces so that natural light provides effective internal illumination during the day. Daylighting is also used to describe the conversion of an enclosed drainage system to a more open and natural system.

Question 5

Blue infrastructure

Answer 5

Blue infrastructure refers to water based infrastructure. This can include stormwater management, such as bioretention systems, swales, reservoirs, rain gardens, constructed wetlands, and other waterways. The State of Virginia, as part of its Coastal Zone Management Plan, integrates blue infrastructure.

Question 6

Green infrastructure

Answer 6

Green infrastructure is a concept originating in the U.S. in the mid-1990s that highlights the importance of the natural environment in decisions about land use planning. Green infrastructure emphasizes the importance of the natural environment in providing clean water, shade, etc. Green infrastructure can improve environmental quality by removing harmful pollutants from the air and water, can moderate local climate and reduce urban heat island effects and contribute to energy conservation, as examples. Green infrastructure can promote the economy through attractive environments, reducing gray infrastructure costs and improving property values. Green infrastructure can promote healthy lifestyles and promote environmental justice. Through careful planning, mechanisms are put in place to safeguards critical green infrastructure. The American Planning Association has a research report on Regional Green Infrastructure Planning at the Landscape Scale, providing examples of green infrastructure. APA also has a PAS Report on Green Infrastructure that is valuable to review.

Question 7

Telecommunications

Answer 7

Telecommunications planning encompasses a range of topics related to access to telecommunications infrastructure. For example, the Virginia Telecommunication Planning Initiative is focused on ensuring communities have access to the broadband network. APA has a podcast on planning for broadband infrastructure.