Land Use Planning
Chicago’s greater metropolitan region supports the economic, social, and recreational needs of 9.3 million people. Between now and 2030 projections suggest an additional two million people, which will further stress the area’s natural and ecological resources. New plans and policies are needed to accommodate this growth while protecting – and possibly even enhancing – the region's ecological services and biodiversity.
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG) will work with local officials, and assist regional planners in formulating new development and resource management strategies. IISG's outreach to local officials will encourage more sustainable growth at the community scale, while its planning assistance to regional agencies will help them sustainably manage surface and groundwater resources (and their associated ecosystems).
News
- The HELM: Seed grant funding helps projects bloom
- The HELM: Wingspread Accord expands its reach
- Growing pains: new publication promotes re-thinking community development
Initiatives
Local Decision Maker
This web-based GIS decision system is designed to improve comprehensive land use planning so that economic, ecological, social, and cultural resources are integrated with future development in a sustainable way.
Wingspread Accord
This historic agreement brings together planning agencies around Lake Michigan in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and (recent addition) Michigan to work together across state lines to consider major environmental and economic issues.
Research Projects
Modeling methods to evaluate low impact development
Laurent Ahiablame, Purdue University
Modeling the effects of land use/land cover changes on surface water quality with the Chicago MSA
Cyril Wilson, Indiana State University
More Land Use Planning research
Planning with POWER Products
Protecting Our Water and Environmental Resources
Nonpoint Source Pollution: A Threat to Our Waters
Impacts of Development on Waterways
Strategies to Minimize Polluted Runoff
How to Get Started: Protecting Your Community from Polluted Runoff
The Relationship Between Land Use Decisions and the Impacts on Our Water and Natural Resources
Brownfields: A Rural Community Problem
Stormwater Runoff
Stormwater and Non-Point Source Pollution
Open Space Planning
Climate Change: Are you preparing for it?
Climate Change: How you will manage stormwater runoff?
Climate Change: Where does it fit in your future plans?
Climate Change: How will you manage your water resources?
Web Links
Center for Neighborhood Technology (Green Calculator)Climate Changepub2-1-4-11
Center for Watershed Protection
Chicago Wilderness (Green Infrastructure)
NEMO (Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials)
Purdue Extension
Purdue Land Use Team
