The University of Iowa planning students took first, second and third place at the recent American Planning Association Iowa Chapter annual conference poster contest.

First prize went to second-year students Megan Schott and Nate Bauer’s poster, “Block by Block Flood Recovery Study: The Nonprofit Response in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.” The poster is based on a report originally written for their Housing Policy class, evaluating flood recovery efforts. In the wake of the flooding disaster, local nonprofit, Matthew 25, led the recovery effort by investing more than $6 million into rebuilding twenty-five residential blocks. This study examines the impact of the Block by Block recovery efforts by analyzing selected neighborhood stability indicators. Lower crime rates increased median household income, and housing tenure suggest that Block by Block had a positive impact on flood damaged neighborhoods in comparison to flooded neighborhoods not assisted by the Block by Block program. Key points include:

• 1,126 city blocks were directly impacted by the 2008 floods. 

• 7,749 parcels were flooded displacing an estimated 10,000 people.

• Block by Block was able to fix 103 homes by 2011.

• Study areas were chosen based on the blocks that received assistance and neighborhoods with comparable socioeconomic characteristics.

• Crime rates, median household income, and housing tenure were positive indicators of neighborhood stability.

• The Block by Block disaster recovery program has achieved successful outcomes in the neighborhoods where it was active. 

While nonprofits have played a role in disaster response, most of this work has been scattered and uncoordinated, usually intermittently or on a case-by-case basis. Matthew 25 and Block by Block represent a unique model which specifically targeted on a neighborhood basis for long-term flood recovery. While employing a similar process of rehabilitation, the process studied could offer a new model to help communities on a concentrated, long-term scale.

Second prize was awarded to second-year student Tunazzina Alam for her poster, “Determination of Prime Bus Stop Locations: A Case Study of Khulna City Corporation Area, Bangladesh.” Her research addressed how the most optimal bus stop locations and passenger pickup and drop-off points in Khulna (pop. 694,933) could be identified for policy making and implementation purposes.

Khulna has developed linearly from north to south along the Rupsha River and has experienced rapid growth in the last decade. Because of this growth, the city authority has failed to plan for a sufficient public transportation system for the west side of the city. Some of the concerns are that there is only one bus route running North to South and commuters not living adjacent to these bus stops must use motorized/non-motorized three wheelers (i.e. rickshaws) to get to the bus stops.

A previous study showed that unnecessary stops along the highway lengthens a journey from 30 minute to 76 minutes. Commuters spend significant time on the road waiting for public transport or getting to the nearest bus stop and a lack of optimally using existing roads has contributed to creation of this crisis.

Alam’s study used three different measures of urban network analysis (UNA) – new route, service area, and location-allocation, to identify potential bus stop locations that would create the shortest route from one end of the city to another, covering most of the city commuters. The results show that based on existing facilities and trip frequency, bus service in Khulna City needs to be improved in many areas. This study provides evidence to Khulna City Corporation Authority that new bus stops are needed and specifically where they should be established, as well as the necessity of a new route and its most beneficial placement.

The third place poster winner was second-year student Harrison Freund. His poster presented findings on the spatial variability of heat and the characteristics and spatial distribution of vulnerable populations in Iowa City. 

Iowa City has identified climate adaptation and mitigation with a focus on social equity as an emerging priority as climate change progresses. In spring 2019, the Iowa City Climate Action and Adaptation Implementation Plan was completed to provide a replicable quantitative framework for assessing intra-city vulnerability. A chapter from this plan focuses on extreme temperature events. Like many hazards, heatwaves can be viewed through the lens of intensity and vulnerability. As heatwaves become more frequent and severe, it will be important for planners, particularly in more urban areas, to address adapting to this change through identification of and intervention on behalf of vulnerable populations.

The Urban Heat Island Effect (UHE) is a phenomenon in which more intensely developed areas are warmer than more natural areas due to ecosystem services lost when replacing natural landscapes with built environments. These services include shading provided by trees, evapotranspiration’s removal of heat from air, lowered albedo effect and heat reflection, and ground water absorption.

Policy recommendations included creating an outreach program to contact vulnerable populations who opt-in to a call-in/check-in service, increasing greenery in areas with more intense UHE, and providing a subsidy for installing air conditioning for vulnerable populations. Planners can use the same methods and the information they provide to design programs prioritizing areas with vulnerable populations or severe UHE. Freund’s poster also presented information regarding social vulnerability to heatwaves fundamental to policy discussions.

The poster winners accepted their awards during the Iowa APA annual conference in Iowa City. Pictured are the first place winners, Megan Schott on the left and Nate Bauer on the far right. Between them are Dylan Mullenix, President, APA Iowa Chapter and Joel Albizo, Chief Executive Officer of APA and the American Institute of Certified Planners.