Environmental Planning

Dr. Deryck D. Pattron, Ph.D.

All Rights Reserved 2009 Dr. Deryck D. Pattron, Ph.D.

Failing to plan is planning to fail

Why Environmental Planning?

Provides tools and mechanisms for better understanding ourselves Identifies risks and health hazards Better utilization of scarce resources Improves the quality of life Prevents epidemics Encourages economic social growth Supports and incorporates sound scientific and technical information
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Introduction
Three essential components of environmental planning:
1. Current status 2. Vision 3. Implementation

Definitions of PlanningTerminology
Planning is defined as a way or getting from point A to point B Goal is defined as a directed effort Policy is defined as a plan of action or guidelines Procedure is defined as a method of doing things
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Types of Planning
Project planning Comprehensive planning Urban planning Public health planning Environmental health planning

The Planning Process

The planning process may consist of a six step method: 1. Examination of the situation and its context. 2. Set goals and targets. 3. Set measurable objectives. 4. Design the programme. 5. Implement the programme. 6. Conduct the programme evaluation.
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Step 1: Examination of Situation & its Context

Information for planned activities for public health Available physical & human resources Information about the population Area geography Weather patterns Availability of utilities GIS = Geographic Information System
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Step 2: Set Goals & Targets

Broad attainable focal points There may be several goals of increasing difficulty or complexity Serves to focus time, energy, money and human resources in achieving set objectives

Step 3: Set Measurable Objectives

Specific Measurable Achievable Realistic Time specific

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Step 4: Design the Programme

Brainstorm Create Mold integrated activities Procedures and resources
Labour Money Facilities Equipment
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Step 5: Implement the Programme

Planned programme put into action
Materials Personnel Technology

Commitment
Changing economic situation Re-assessment of available resources Limit on what can be actually achieved
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Step 6: Conduct the Programme Evaluation

What is expected? What is actually achieved? Evaluation = Gap between what is expected and what is achieved Evaluate every two years or so Measures progress towards goals Dynamic not a static process
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Case Study-Solid Waste

A rural community in Trinidad does not have a garbage collection system The positioning of houses in this area makes it difficult to collect garbage from house to house Nearby rivers and water ways are being used as dumping grounds. Flooding and the emergence of diseases of public health importance
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The Goal
To protect and enhance the welfare of the community residents by collecting and properly disposing of solid waste in order to reduce diseases of public health importance

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Objectives

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The Programme

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Implementation

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Programme Evaluation

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Conclusion
Environmental planning is a critical thinking process of asking and answering the questions:
Where are we at present? Where do we want to go or achieve from here? How do we go about achieving this?

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Questions

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References
Beck, J.E and Konkel, R.S. 1999. Participatory Planning. Occupational Health and Safety Magazine 69(8):97-103 Capper, S.A., Ginter, P.A.,Swayne, L.E. 2002. Public Health Leadership and Management: Cases and Context. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA. Morgan M.T. 2003. Environmental Health. Thomson Learning, CA.
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