Community Services Related References

Officials discuss trauma center feasibility — Chester County is the largest county in PA, and the only one in southeast PA that lacks a trauma center. Trauma deaths from accidents originating in Chester County have risen since the closure of Brandywine's trauma center in 2002. People who are traumatically injured in Chester County must be transported to trauma centers in neighboring counties which can take as much as 73 minutes, according to the 2007 Chester County Trauma Center study, spearheaded by U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach (R., Pa.). That's well above the "Golden Hour," the window of 60 minutes after a trauma during which medical and surgical attention increases the survival rate.

Activate Chester County is a collaborative effort committed to fostering healthy lifestyles by changing the culture and environment within Chester County.

The Chester County Intermediate Unit provides services to 12 school districts in Chester County, including nearly 85,000 public and non-public school students and over 6,000 educators.

Make smart transportation decisions; Governor Rendell unveiled a new PennDOT Web page to explore transit options, carpooling and park 'n ride locations across the state.

The Enterprise Foundation president and CEO, Doris Koo, testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services in support of the “Green Resources for Energy Efficient Neighborhoods Act of 2008”, which is intended to establish minimum standards for energy efficiency in new and existing housing supported by federal housing programs. View the webcast.

The Urban Institute has released: In the Face of Gentrification: Case Studies of Local Efforts to Mitigate Displacement. This is an effort to help guide local governments in their efforts to revitalize neglected neighborhoods while maintaining the affordable housing supply.

The Brandywine Health Foundation introduces the new Brandywine Center, located in the heart of Coatesville, where community residents can access medical and mental health care services.

Planning Related News and References

Traditional Mixed-Use Neighborhoods Offer Home Buyers Protection from Rising Gas Prices — Choice of neighborhoods can reduce household driving miles by 10,000 or more, saving hundreds of dollars per month.

Get off the Bottle — Some of the biggest names in American bottled water actually bottle and sell tap water. Federal standards for municipal tap water are higher than those for bottled water. Drinking municipal tap water saves money and reduces bottled water's impact on the environment. This year $16 Billion will be spent on bottled water.

As gas prices spike, Americans ride the rails — Amtrak ridership hits record; ticket sales up sharply in May vs. year prior. Amtrak President Alex Kummant said the numbers point to a sixth straight year of record passengers. Amtrak Interactive Route Atlas.

Governor’s Task Force Begins Work to Address Pennsylvania’s Water Infrastructure Needs
Members of Governor Edward G. Rendell’s Sustainable Water Infrastructure Task Force began the work of addressing the estimated $20 billion funding shortfall needed to upgrade Pennsylvania’s aging and deteriorated water-related infrastructure.

SEPTA: Rail Ticket promotion for the July 4th weekend. Extended ticket office hours for Paoli station on the 4th of July.

Searching for solutions — Google.org aspires to use the power of information and technology to address the global challenges of our age: climate change, poverty and emerging disease.

NPR: US Railroad Industry Thriving as Economy Slumps (3 min)

Upcoming Events

DEP Cosponsoring Outdoor Lighting Workshops for Municipal Planners — The third of three workshops will be held June 25 in Potter County at the Gospel Tabernacle Church, 420 Route 6 West, in Coudersport and will begin promptly at 7 p.m.

APA Audioconference: Planning Law Review June 25, 2008. Add to your Outlook Calendar.

Links

Terminology Corner

Perspectives on terms used in Landscapes2 discussions.

Mixed Land Use Development

Traditional Neighborhood Development