Introduction to Planning
Through my Urban Studies minor, I had the opportunity to take several planning courses, including “Introduction to Planning” during the Fall 2024 semester. This course provided an in-depth look into various facets of urban planning, such as transportation, environmental planning, economics, and housing. For our final Topical Analysis Paper, we were tasked with selecting a contemporary topic or issue in the planning profession to explore through background research, analysis, and commentary.
Recognizing this as an opportunity to integrate my major and minor, I decided to focus on environmental planning and its impact on urban sustainability. Specifically, I chose to write about alternative roofing solutions, such as green and white roofs, in urban areas. Traditional roofing materials often absorb heat, exacerbating the urban heat island effect—the phenomenon where cities are significantly warmer than their surrounding rural areas. In contrast, alternative roofing systems reflect heat and sunlight, helping to mitigate this effect. Green roofs, for instance, not only provide environmental benefits by cooling the surrounding area, but they also support stormwater management, enhance air quality, reduce energy consumption, and help lower heating and cooling costs. By incorporating these sustainable roofing strategies, cities can combat urban heat islands, reduce climate change impacts, and promote a healthier, more sustainable urban environment.
Attached is a copy of my final paper.
Writing this paper allowed me to express my environmental background and explore practical mitigation strategies for combating climate change within the field of urban planning. As urbanization continues to accelerate, I recognize this topic as highly impactful and a manageable starting point for climate action. Implementing white and green roofs offers a straightforward yet effective solution that can be scaled and expanded over time, increasing benefits to urban areas. These roofing alternatives present a simple first step in mitigating climate change, with the potential for significant long-term environmental and economic advantages.
Adding the Urban Studies minor to my academic journey has ignited a new passion for environmental planning—an area I had never previously considered. This opportunity also led me to pursue certification as a Tree Fredericksburg Tree Steward, where I gained a deeper understanding of the critical role tree canopy plays in urban environments, along with the importance of selecting and placing trees in the right locations within a city. This also allows me to thrive in my Fredericksburg Clean and Green internship, as I am further exploring how I can make a meaningful impact on the community while learning which sustainable practices will be most effective for improving the city’s sustainability goals. Lastly, this minor has encouraged me to renew my LEED Green Associates Certification in the New Year.
