PAmosaic & Environmental Public Health Tools for Integrating Public Health into Comprehensive Land Use Planning

The Accidental Environmentalist Community planning work funded under EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant Primary focus was identifying environmental justice issues within the Codorus Corridor Supplemental to “River of Opportunity”

Counting Sick Kids Study developed GIS application for York City Health Bureau’s lead (Pb) program Symptomatic response to a systemic problem – we treat sick kids instead of poisoned buildings

Systemic Problems need Systemic Responses Public health officials recognize that environmental conditions affect public health Planners understand that the environment both affects, and in turn is affected by development Closing the system loop acknowledges that comprehensive planning ultimately affects public health, and therefore, public health issues and goals need to be among the drivers in comprehensive planning

Serendipity or chance favors the prepared mind Study coincided with the conceptualization of PAmosaic – a systems model for comprehensive planning Development of a new planning element seemed to make the most sense New element would directly connect public health and planning undertaken in other elements, such as land use, transportation, housing and economic development

What is PAmosaic? It is a planning process model a new way to think about and do comprehensive planning System inputs System processes System outputs A Systems Model A Planning Environment A Toolbox Intelligent Infrastructure Open Source is:

What is PAmosaic? It is a multi-media environment that facilitates participation in the system. It is “web-centric” but includes all of the ways that people interact in the planning process. Includes communications and social networks A Systems Model A Planning Environment A Toolbox Intelligent Infrastructure Open Source is:

What is PAmosaic? It is a set of tools and resources that support planning activities Data access & analysis Mapping Research Reference A Systems Model A Planning Environment A Toolbox Intelligent Infrastructure Open Source is:

What is PAmosaic? It is an Intelligent Infrastructure Customizable lenses Consistent data framework Municipal plans can be aggregated & integrated A Systems Model A Planning Environment A Toolbox Intelligent Infrastructure Open Source is:

What is PAmosaic? A Systems Model A Planning Environment A Toolbox Intelligent Infrastructure Open Source It is built on an open source platform Flexible Free Reliable is:

Applying the PAmosaic Model Web based system would have four main components Data Network Knowledge Base Social Network Communications Network System Design Principles

The Data Network Based on CDC’s Environmental Public Health Indicators Consistent with PA Dept of Health and DEP efforts Draws data from multiple sources, but relies heavily on US EPA Consistent with Wellspan efforts

Knowledge Base Open source development allows anyone to contribute resources and references Database of web links, downladable documents, bibliographic references, etc. Includes public blogs to encourage the open exchange of ideas and to capture that knowledge as part of the public record

The Social Network Takes advantage of emerging social networking technology Creates a virtual community around topics of interest Links ordinary citizens with professionals and public officials Promotes open discussion and debate Is “self policing” in the same way that Wikipedia is

The Communications Network Web based system is not confined to the web Utilizes all available media (electronic, video, print, etc.) to engage the public Augments the public meeting; sessions can be taped for podcasts and replay on community television networks

What’s Needed EPA project is ending – the products will be a functioning model website, a GIS application for the City Health Bureau, and a summary report MPS will continue to develop PAmosaic Wellspan and PADOH are evaluating and modifying the model from the public health perspective MPS is requesting that YCPC evaluate the model from the planning perspective MPS will be reviewing the model with YorkCounts, YCEDC and other parties, soliciting their involvement in transforming this prototype into a functioning system