Institute for Design Research and Outreach
http://www.design.iastate.edu/research.php

Programs Offered

CD-DIAL (Community Development–Data Information and Analysis Laboratory)
Extension Community and Economic Development, Institute for Design Research and Outreach, College of Design

CD-DIAL works with communities, organizations, and state and local agencies to assist and build decision-making capacity in these groups, especially as they collect and use information about their local population members or the constituents they serve.

GIS Diagnostics
Institute for Design Research and Outreach, College of Design

This program is designed to assist agencies that are willing to improve the way GIS is being used in their environment. The technology has an enormous capacity to perform spatial analysis, and most of the time, it is underutilized. The main goal of this program is to elaborate a GIS Diagnostics for agencies, subscribing strategies, based on their needs, to incorporate spatial analysis in their daily routine. A step-by-step strategic plan will be developed for the agency with the goal to maximize the use of the technology to improve some of their daily tasks.

PLaCE (Partnering Landscape and Community Enhancement)
Institute for Design Research and Outreach, College of Design

Provides assistance to create concept plan aimed at enhancing and promoting quality and character of a landscape or community. Past projects include historic preservation feasibility studies; housing needs assessments; development of downtown revitalization plans, city and county comprehensive plans, park and trail master plans, etc.

Planning Officials Academy
Institute for Design Research and Outreach, Office of State and Local Government Programs, College of Design, Department of Community and Regional Planning

This one-day certificate program will use hands-on case studies and practice scenarios to educate participants in the essential principles and practices of managing the land use process. Topics include the legal framework for planning and zoning, finding and working with planning information, meeting management and record keeping, the operation of the zoning ordinance, subdivision plat and site plan review.

keywords:  zoning, land use

Special Topics Workshops
Institute for Design Research and Outreach, College of Design, Department of Community and Regional Planning

These two- to three-hour programs will be offered as evening programs to alert local officials to changes in legislation, important court cases, “hot topics” or new and innovative planning practices. These workshops will be marketed through the ISU Extension website and county extension offices, the Iowa League of Cities and the Iowa State Association of Counties. They will be scheduled in response to local interest.