Environmental Planning Meets Web 2.0

Environmental Planning 240 is my first introduction to the world of Web 2.0. Surprisingly, I have been taking small step into the world Web 2.0 with out even knowing it! Myspace and Facebook are simple examples of widely used Web 2.0 sites. Now my hurdle is to become an active participant and incorporating Web 2.0 into my future in the planning field.

What is Web 2.0?
Arguably, the concept of Web 2.0 has revolutionized Internet users approach the web in terms of uses and possibility. Web 2.0 has acted as a nexus from the Internet of the past, before the dot-com bust; to the interactive Internet of today. Characteristics of Web 2.0 start with the basic interactive nature of a 2.0 web site compared to a Web 1.0 site, which were simply meant for viewing. Tim O’Reilly has managed to come up with a well summed up definition. Examples of Web 2.0 are Blogger, Flickr, YouTube,

Recently the fourth annual Web 2.0 Summit took place in San Francisco. The conference used techniques that make Web 2.0 successful. For example, interactive presentations and audience participation were used to acquaint conference goers with the newest concepts in web usage.

How does Web 2.0 apply to planning, especially environmental planning? This new form of communication provides planners with the resources to access and share information quickly. Some great examples of Web 2.0 were provided during our class activity:
1. Walk Score™
2. RETHINK COLLEGE PARK
3. MontgomeryPlanningBoard.org
4. Providence Tomorrow: Comprehensive Neighborhood Planning
5. plaNYC
6. outside.in
7. San José's General Plan Update
8. climezine.com

Each of these sites may vary in method and layout, but all use interactive formats to engage the viewer, which are most likely planners or people involved with their community. Individuals coming to these sites, who might be uninvolved with the planning industry, can easily learn and become involved in the planning process. Web 2.0 makes planning accessible to the general public and is advancing the planning industry.

Green Festival 2007

Yesterday I attended the Green Festival 2007 at the San Francisco Concourse Exhibition Center. This was the first time I attended anything like this and it was great! The festival had speakers, music, and exhibitors for everything green.

I consider myself an environmentally friendly person. I recycle, attempt to buy organic products, support local companies, and use public transportation on a daily basis. After attending the festival I realize that I am only skimming the surface on living a ‘green’ lifestyle. Upon leaving I asked myself: How I can be greener?

First, what is green? According to the Green Festival, green means “safe, health communities and a strong, local economy.” What I learned is that sustainability is at the core of being green. It is also a general awareness of the connections and impacts that we each have on our community, locally and globally.

The festival introduced a plethora of everyday options that are green. With growing awareness, a green lifestyle may not be as life altering or radical as it once was. I was impressed with the wide variety of green products and organizations working to improve the world environmentally and politically. There are also companies that provide alternatives for environmentally conscious consumers. Alternatives range from telephone carriers (Better World Telecom) to financial services to hotels (Kimpton Hotels) to office supplies (Green Earth Office Supply). The each offer the same services that a typical American is looking for, while doing their part for the environment. By contributing to global sustainability these will be the companies of our future.

Here is a list of just a few of the exhibitors and organizations I found most interesting and applicable to environmental planning: CoHousing Partners, Greenbelt Alliance, SF Electric Vehicle Association, Build it Green, Sustainable Communities, and even PG&E had educational materials.

Please explore a Green Festival near you.

Guest Lecture – Collaborative Planning for Wildlife Conservation

On Monday, October 28, 2007 our Environmental Planning class had two guest lecturers, Lindell Marsh and Christian Marsh. This father, son duo practice law in the sector of Environmental Law, specifically wildlife conservation. Lindell Marsh provided a rich background of wildlife conservation in the United States and the progress that has been made. His son, Christian, explained some important cases that he and his father have worked on to make wildlife conservation a success around the country.

Two major developments in environmental regulation occurred at the national and statewide level: NEPA (National Environmental Protection Act) and CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act). Also at the national level were the Environmental Protection Agency – EPA and the Endangered Species Act – ESA. Lindell described how the creation of the EPA was instrumental in the progression of environmental protection. ESA acted as an advocate for those who wanted to come to a court of law and defend the “taking” of habitat necessary for the survival of endangered wildlife and ecosystems. As a result Habitat Conservation Plans began throughout the United States.

Section 10(a)(1)(B): Habitat Conservation Plans of the Endangered Species Act proved to be a key section in wildlife conservation. This piece of legislation uses the term of a “taking” to imply the value of natural habitat and wildlife that would be lost in the event of development. One project they talked about was the San Bruno Mountain Habitat Conservation Plan in the early 1980’s. Lindell described how he represented his clients for over three years and in collaboration with the county, surrounding cities, landowners, developers, government agencies, and conservation groups worked to save this site. Mr. Marsh’s moving comments describing how “reconciliation,” not compromise, made the San Bruno Mountain HCP a reality is an inspiration for future planners and environmentalists alike.

Thank you to Mr. Lindell Marsh and Mr. Christian Marsh for their time and dedication to the environment.