Digital Graphics in Staff Reports
Zoning Practice — January 2016
By Nicola Mammes, Stuart Meck, FAICP
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In the early 1970s, the preparation of staff reports on land-use matters was a complicated and lengthy logistical affair. Things have, of course, changed over the past 45-plus years. The computer, word processing programs, portable document formats that can be posted for viewing on websites, and digital graphics have all affected planning practice, but to what degree?
This issue of Zoning Practice discusses the use of digital graphics in staff reports based on a survey of and interviews with local planners. It describes the research methodology, summarizes the results, and concludes with observations about and recommendations for using digital graphics in contemporary planning practice.
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About the Authors
Nicola Mammes
Nicola Mammes is the Director of Transit Fare Programs with the City of Philadelphia and manages Zero Fare, a two-year pilot program that provides fully subsidized transit benefits to Philadelphia residents with low incomes. The goals of the program are to make it easier and more affordable for residents to get to work, meet caregiving responsibilities, and access health, education and recreation opportunities, while supporting community-wide benefits yielded by more transit usage. Zero Fare is also an equity-centered program that aligns with Philadelphia’s commitment to addressing the climate crises by investing in transit to reduce congestion, decrease emissions, and improve air quality.
Previously, Nicola was the Director of Emergency Management at Temple University and the Regional Preparedness Program Manager with the City of Philadelphia. In her previous role with the city, she built a vaccine access transportation program for Philadelphia residents during the city’s emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic that provided access to fully subsidized and reduced rate multi-modal transportation options – transit, paratransit service, bikeshare, and rideshare – funded by federal disaster relief programs and local non-profit partners.
She started her career in transportation planning and local government operations as a freight planner for the New York City Department of Transportation in the Office of Freight Mobility where she helped to develop the city’s first citywide freight plan.
Nicola holds a Master of Planning and Public Policy degree in transportation planning and land use from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University and dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in political science and planning & public policy also from Rutgers University.
Stuart Meck, FAICP
My website: http://bloustein.rutgers.edu/meck/