Category Archives: Past Projects

Evaluating Fiscal Impact Analysis

This paper evaluated the utility of traditional fiscal impact analysis (FIA) in measuring the impacts of land development. The resulting monograph outlined a conceptual framework for evaluating the use of FIA in planning practice.

Author: Samina Raja, PhD. [Project Director: Rosalind Greenstein; Principal Investigator: Jack Huddleston]

Sponsor(s): Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

 

Fiscal Implications of Demographic Change

This study reviewed demographic trends and shifts in the United States, and discussed the potential impact of these demographic changes on local government revenues and expenditures.

Author: Samina Raja, PhD [Project Director: Rosalind Greenstein; Principal Investigator: Jack Huddleston]

Sponsor(s): Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

 

 

Guide to Community and Regional Planning

This project developed guidance on facilitating healthy eating environments through planning and design. In partnership with the American Planning Association (APA), researchers developed and implemented a nationwide survey of APA members to discern their opinion of, and engagement in, efforts to build healthy communities through community and regional food planning.  Results from the survey, as well as innovative food system planning practices from around the country, were documented in a monograph published by the American Planning Association (Raja et al. 2008).

Investigators: Samina Raja, PhD (Urban and Regional Planning, UB), Michael Ball (Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Inc.), Branden Born, PhD (University of Washington-Seattle), and William Klein (American Planning Association)

SponsorsHealthy Eating by Design, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

 

Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities-Buffalo Assessment

In collaboration with the Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities-Buffalo partnership, we assessed the healthy eating and active living environments in Buffalo, NY. A series of policy briefs produced for the project are shown below. Results from the evaluation are utilized by the HKHC-Buffalo partnership organizations to advocate for policy change to facilitate healthier living environments for children in Buffalo.

The Food Lab also provides broader research and technical support for ongoing initiatives to promote innovative food systems policy and plan-making in the Buffalo-Niagara region. In partnership with the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Inc., UB’s Office of Civic Engagement and Public Policy, and other community partners, the Food Lab co-convened the Buffalo Food Policy Summit to build capacity of local policy makers to improve local and regional food systems.

Partners: Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities-Buffalo, Massachusetts Avenue Project, Civic Engagement and Public Policy, University at Buffalo

Sponsor(s): Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Publications:

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Measuring Spatial Disparities in Food Environments

This study documented the racial and spatial disparities in retail food environments in Erie County, New York. The results, published in the Journal of Planning Education and Research (2008), informed policy and programming on food systems by the Massachusetts Avenue Project, the City of Buffalo, and other local groups in Buffalo, New York.

Researchers: Samina Raja, PhD, Pavan Yadav (ESRI; former graduate student at UB)

Sponsor(s): USDA/MAP

 

 

Impact of Intergovernmental Transfers on Urban Sprawl in Genesee County, NY

This pilot project explored the impact of intergovernmental transfers on spurring urban sprawl in rural Genesee County, NY.

Investigators: G. William Page, PhD (Department of Urban and Regional Planning, UB) and Samina Raja, PhD (Department of Urban and Regional Planning, UB)

Sponsor: Environmental Management Alternatives Program, Environment and Society Institute, University at Buffalo

Influence of the Built Environment on Physical Activity and Obesity Among Youth

This pilot project tested the influence of the built environment on physical activity and obesity among youth living in Erie County, New York.

Investigators:  James Roemmich, PhD (USDA; formerly Division of Behavioral Medicine, UB); Samina Raja, PhD (Department of Urban and Regional Planning, UB);  Leonard Epstein, PhD (Division of Behavioral Medicine, UB); Li Yin (Department of Urban and Regional Planning, UB)

Sponsor(s): Interdisciplinary Research and Creative Activities Fund (IRCAF), University at Buffalo