UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Those interested in learning how to leverage local data and knowledge to set priorities, identify effective approaches to change, and craft action plans that align with community values and promote equity in land-use planning can attend an upcoming Penn State Extension webinar. The webinar is part of Penn State Extension’s Winter/Spring Land-Use Webinar Series.
Justine Lindemann, assistant professor in community development and resilience, and Cristy Schmidt, a senior research associate affiliated with Penn State’s Center for Economic and Community Development and Penn State Extension’s community vitality team, will speak at the webinar, scheduled for noon Feb. 18.
The webinar will focus on a step-by-step approach designed to help Pennsylvania communities make sense of local data, recognize key assets and challenges, and translate insights into practical strategies for equitable land use.
The series is aimed at helping community leaders navigate land-use challenges, with topics ranging from improving community food access, growing local leaders’ capacity for community development, and creating affordable housing.
The series began Jan. 21 and runs monthly through May. Sessions feature Penn State experts and guest speakers discussing timely issues affecting municipal officials, planners, landowners and community organizations.
Each 75-minute session is recorded and made available to registrants for six months. Other programs in the series include:
- Jan. 21: “Planning for Intergenerational Communities” (recorded).
- March 18: “Planning for Community Food Access: Community Gardens, Farmers Markets and Food Systems.”
- April 15: “Community Development Essentials — A Process Before a Plan.”
- May 20: “Rural Housing Affordability and Livability in Pennsylvania.”
Pending approval, the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Planning Association will offer professional credits to registered landscape architects or professional planners with the American Institute of Certified Planners. Each webinar is worth 1.25 credits, or 6.25 credits for those attending the whole series.
Penn State Extension is offering the series in partnership with the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Planning Association and the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development.
Registration is required to receive the link to access each webinar.
The cost of the webinar series is $50 for all five sessions, or $95 for all five sessions for those who want to receive AICP certification-maintenance credits from the American Planning Association. In addition, registered landscape architects can earn continuing education credits for a fee of $65.
For anyone interested in a particular topic from the series, individual session registration is available for $15 per session.
For more information, contact John Turack at 724-837-1402 or by email at jdt15@psu.edu. To register for the webinars, visit the Land-Use Webinar Series page.