Iowa

From Iowa State University - A wide variety of free and low cost memos on administrative and procedural topics, which are available for download at the extension online store.

The Agricultural Land Evaluation and Site Assessment (LESA) system is used to assess land for agricultural use and economic potential. It is being used in seven Iowa counties. 

A hub for information pertaining to agriculture law. Contains links to agricultural law journals and law databases. Some sources require a Drake University student ID to access.

A number of resources from the American Planning Association (APA) can be found here. From the APA Iowa Chapter and APA National, resources range from training and educational opportunities to resource links and membership information.

The Ames Urban Fringe Plan (2006) is a shared land use plan cooperatively developed by Boone County, Story County, the City of Ames and the City of Gilbert.

Rio Iowa provides information regarding smart planning throughout Iowa, and updates legislative news such as land use planning and other related issues in Iowa.

Area Development Iowa Resource Page

The Cedar Falls comprehensive plan is in compliance with the 10 principles and 13 elements of Iowa Smart Planning Act. The plan is flexible and fits the future development of Cedar Falls.

Overview and guidebook to Iowa's Certified Local Government Program.

The West Des Moines, Iowa Board of Adjustment (BOA) offers a guide for people interested in understanding the finer details of how a BOA operates.

The West Des Moines, Iowa Plan and Zoning Commission (PZC) offers a guide for people interested in understanding the finer details of how a PZC operates.

The University of Iowa Office of Sustainability focuses to promote sustainability activities on campus and to encourage individuals and organizations to participate in accelerating sustainability action.

Community Housing Initiatives, Inc. (CHI) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization and has been designated a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) for the entire State of Iowa. CHI focuses on increasing affordable housing across the state. They provide planning services, feasibility studies, and more.

The Community Housing Initiatives is a nonprofit provider of affordable housing. Latest news, rental information in Iowa are included in the Community Housing Initiatives website.

The Des Moines Register provides an overview of the Ingersoll Avenue lane diet project.

Found here is a publication of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), and Main Street Iowa.

The report presents projections about potential effects of global warming on Iowa, such as severe summer heat, more dangerous storms and floods, and new threats to agricultural production.

From Iowa State University - Soil survey and digital soil data: soil suitability and interpretations.

The Downtown Redevelopment In Burlington, Iowa is composed of five reports by the Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities. The reports include an analysis of case studies and on redevelopment and historic preservation.

Tools and resources related to gathering public input and increasing public participation. Provided by PlanIowa.com.

The Dubuque Community Climate Action & Resiliency Plan contains strategies to achieve goals that help community reduce greenhouse gas emissions 50% below 2003 levels by 2030 to improve quality of life.

The website of the Energy Division found within the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA). The Energy Division at IEDA is focused on creating long-term economic growth opportunities for Iowans through energy efficiency improvements, investment in clean energy and biofuels, and supporting sound energy policies.

Drake University's online source for a variety of links covering environmental and natural resources law.

Links to examples of farmer's markets in Iowa - The Freight House Farmer's Market in Davenport, Iowa and the Downtown Farmer's Market in Des Moines, Iowa.

The Iowa Farmers’ Market Development Manual provides an easy-to-use reference guide for those who want to start a new market, expand an existing market, or participate in the selling of goods.

Field to Family promotes the connection between families and local food and farmers in the Iowa City and Cider Rapids.

A list of the fringe area agreements for Johnson County, Iowa.

Gateway Redevelopment Group was formed by private nonprofit. The goal of the group is to save the abandoned historic structures in Davenport’s Hamburg Historic District.

A website that provides information and resources about climate and climate change.

The HUD in Iowa website provides information, resources and local news about housing in Iowa.

Tools and resources provided by PlanIowa.com.

Provided by the Iowa Association for Energy Efficiency (IAEE) -  A number of educational opportunities on energy efficiency is detailed on their website.

Offers publications and resources on various topics such as electric, gas, water, wastewater, and stormwater.

Iowa Association of Regional Councils (IARC) is the trade association for the 17 Councils of Government (COGs) in Iowa, and it facilitates communities to increase economic growth, improve public services and solve regional issues.

The Iowa Bicycle Coalition builds partnerships, educates Iowans, and helps to establish safe and enjoyable bicycle transportation and recreation networks throughout Iowa.

The report demonstrates nine findings of a project initiated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to cooperate with stakeholders and government in Iowa to assist communities to adapt climate change.

Iowa Climate Change Advisory Council’s final report provides policy options for reducing greenhouse gas emissions with cost-saving scenarios.    

Iowa Climate statement - 2012 offers information for climate impacts on droughts and floods, and the 2013 climate statement includes information for climate impact on agriculture.

Iowa climate statements offer information for latest climate impacts on agriculture and public health in Iowa.

Overview and detailed description of Iowa Code Chapter 28E: Joint Exercise of Governmental Powers.

Iowa Community Foundations are nonprofit organizations founded to meet the needs of local communities and encourage community foundation philanthropy.

The Iowa Commuter Transportation Study was commissioned by Iowa DOT to identify the existing and future commuter needs in the Interstate 380 (I-380) corridor and determine the viability if various commuter transportation improvements to meet the needs.

The Iowa Councils of Governments (COGs) provide professional planning, programming, and technical assistance to Iowa’s cities, counties, businesses, community organizations and Iowans of all ages.

Many Councils of Governments (COGs) provide housing assistance programs, although program details vary by region.

A list of programs including the Urban Conservation Program and the Abandoned Mined Land Reclamation Program.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources Website demonstrates an Iowa State parks and preserves list.

A number of programs, educational opportunities, and an overview of the Conservation Reserve Program are provided.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources website for climate change provides definition of climate change, and illustrates how climate change affects Iowa.

A guide to transportation funding programs from the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT).

Iowa Homeland Security & Emergency Management provides lists of Iowa’s major presidential disaster declarations and map.

Iowa DNR website includes data on emissions of greenhouse gases in emissions inventory programs. Reports and documents within the website can be used to track and credit companies in Iowa that reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases and increase energy efficiency.

Presents the Iowa Drainage Dristrict Association's (IDDA) website.

The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) offers a variety of programs that address a continuum of housing needs, from homeless assistance to multifamily rental and homeownership.

Iowa’s central location for advanced research and education focused on floods. The Iowa Flood Center's website provides links to flood resources, including publications, a photo gallery, and data sources.

The Iowa Flood Report Website includes information for latest news, reports, and map of flood and high flow condition in Iowa.

Iowa Flood Information System's website is a one-stop web-platform to access community-based flood conditions, forecasts, visualizations, inundation maps and flood-related data, information, and applications.

Iowa Floodplain and Stormwater Management Association aims to promote flood risk education throughout Iowa. The Iowa Floodplain and Stormwater Management Association website provides helpful links, news, and upcoming events.

The Iowa Green Streets Criteria is based on the national Green Community Criteria and provides strategies to increase and improve affordable housing, community facilities, town centers.

The report indicates ten indicators are responsible for housing need or surplus while linked to population growth, housing unit supply, and housing value in Iowa.

Iowa Lakes Community College Climate Action Plan focuses on achieve climate neutrality by minimizing greenhouse gas emissions or utilizing carbon offsets.

The Iowa League of Cities is a membership-based organization that advocates for municipalities and provides resources such as publications and trainings for its members.

A repository of GIS resources related to data in the state of Iowa. Contains shapefiles, road files, geographic, and political datasets from Iowa at the county level.

Iowa Onsite Waste Water Association (IOWWA)  works to educate its members and the public about the benefits of quality onsite, or “septic,” wastewater systems.

The Iowa Park and Recreation Association's mission is to support the enhancement of park, recreation and conservation opportunities through education, resource tools and advocacy. A link to their website is provided.

Iowa Pheasants Forever is dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, quail and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education and land management policies and programs.

The Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC) offers a wide variety of services, which can be found on their website.

The goal of the Design Guide is to develop a long-term vision for state park architecture based on excellent architectures in the past and present days. 

Ephemeral gully erosion, which is a significant cause of soil loss from agricultural fields, is the focus of a USDA National Integrated Water Quality Program. The project uses research,and education to control ephemeral gully erosion efficiently.

From Iowa State University - News on agriculture and natural resources.

From Iowa State University - News and other information on Community and Economic Development (CED).

Provides links to resources for communities on public education, public participation, construction site runoff control, illicit discharge prevention, post construction, and pollution prevention.

The Iowa Stormwater Management Manual. For a complete overview and a link to the manual please use the link given here.

Iowa Workforce Development

Found here is the IOWATER website. IOWATER is a volunteer water quality monitoring program.

The Iowa’s Historic Preservation and Cultural and Entertainment District Tax Credit was established to assist the costs of rehabilitating historic buildings, maintain spaces of buildings, and revitalize surrounding neighborhoods.

From Iowa State University - An online store full of resources such as land use guides and memos.

The Land Use Policy Plan is the comprehensive plan for the City of Ames, Iowa. Access to the complete Land Use Policy Plan can be found here.

The Main Street Development Loan Fund is a loan program and is supported by Preservation Iowa, a nonprofit. The nonprofit focuses on redevelopment and historic preservation.

The Main Street Iowa Program's mission is to improve the social and economic well-being of Iowa's communities. Please follow the link for more information.

This case study provides an overview of Dubuque's Millwork District Revitalization Project. Also included is the executive summary of the master plan for the project in addition to the complete master plan.

Provided is a list of model plans and case studies from Iowa and across the country.

Drake University's online source for a variety of links to Iowa municipal codes.

National Association of County and City Health Offices (NACCHO) focuses on improving the public health and supporting for change for local health departments.

The Flooding in Iowa Website provides information such as significant Iowa flood events, flood hazard information, and information for people to understand how to protect themselves when a flood happen.

Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area preserves and tells the story of American agriculture and its global significance through partnerships and activities that celebrate the land, people, and communities of the area.

The NIFF Coalition was the first pilot community selected by the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture's Regional Food System Working Group (2006)

The Northeast Iowa Food & Fitness Initiative works on developing places for people have access to healthy, locally grown foods and promoting more opportunities for physical activity for the places.

Found here is the West Des Moines, Iowa City Code pertaining to the Jordan Creek Overlay District.

This link will direct you toward PlanIowa.com's website. Website visitors can explore case studies from around the country, as well as access a variety of links to tools for public participation and surveying.

Practical Farmers of Iowa established in 1985 and is a farmer-led nonprofit organization.

From Iowa State University - A memorandum on how and why to preserve farmland.

PlanIowa.com provides an extensive list of tools for cities and counties to use to engage the public, including a video series.

Rainscaping Iowa's website offers extensive info on best management practices related to stormwater management, including links to publications.

Access this link to view the Regional Smart Plan for Dubuque County and its website.

Part 1 (Zoning Manual) and Part 2 (Zoning Manuscript) of the Dubuque County Rural Model Smart Code can be accessed here.

Sioux City Zoning and Sign Code won the “Best Practice” received the APA-Iowa Awards in 2015 and it was adopted in the same year.

The State Data Center of Iowa provides population, business and governmental statistics about Iowa.

Details the State Housing Trust Fund, administered by the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA).

Statewide Urban Design And Specifications (SUDAS) manuals provide common urban standards for public improvements such as sanitary sewers, water mains, streets, sidewalks, utility locations, signalization, drainage and erosion control.

The University of Iowa Office of Sustainability focuses to promote sustainability activities on campus and to encourage individuals and organizations to participate in accelerating sustainability action.

From Iowa State University - The blog on land use and zoning.

The Tomorrow Plan concentrates on future sustainable development of Des Moines, Iowa. The plan is composed of technical analysis of existing conditions and future trends. The goal of the plan is to establish a vision of Greater Des Moines in 2050.

The Public Policy Center's (PPC) mission at the University of Iowa is to provide decision-makers with information that can make lifestyles and communities thrive in sustainable ways through academic research.

The Historic Millwork District Master Plan, approved in 2009, is a historic preservation redevelopment plan. The Plan has received many recognitions and demonstrated ways to generate high economic value with low environmental impact.

Provides a link to the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study for Iowa and a list of Iowa's impaired waters.

U.S. Green Building Council Iowa Chapter's website includes a history of the Iowa Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, the goal of the council, and green school project information.

The City of Dubuque's Unified Development Code (UDC).

The UniverCity Neighborhood Partnership is a program designed to ensure the University of Iowa campus and neighborhoods surrounding downtown remain safe, affordable and attractive places for renters and homeowners.

The goal of UI USGBC is assisting to design and install rain gardens across the University of Iowa campus. 

The City of Iowa City website includes information on comprehensive plan, zoning code and zoning map, district plans and maps, and applications.

The West Des Moines Pattern Book is a resource for homeowners on the basics of updating or renovating a home using good design practices.