Table of Contents

Built Environment and Health

The city’s comprehensive plan contains a Public Health element in its chapter on the Social Environment. Exhibit PH-1 lists 10 leading causes of death in Pima County and their related environmental intervention strategies, many of which relate to the built environment. The section also shares 8 Public Health Policies and a list of related policies in other elements.

Climate Change

The city’s comprehensive plan contains a Natural Environment Focus Area with several goals and policies to address climate change. It includes policies to encourage building’s energy efficiency and net-zero facilities (EC1), reduce urban heat island effects (EC3), access and prepare for the impacts of climate change (EC8 and EC9). 

Comprehensive Planning

This city's comprehensive plan includes goals relating to climate change adaptation and carbon reduction, and focuses on other environmental areas including water conservation and renewable energy. The plan is also concerned with revitalizing distressed and disinvested neighborhoods and housing, and providing support for disadvantaged populations, including emergency preparedness efforts. It describes a robust public outreach effort that included hard-to-reach populations and non-English speakers. It includes a matrix of sustainability indicators. Tables, graphics, and images are used liberally to illustrate data and plan principles, making the plan easy to read and engaging.

Urban Heat Resilience

The city’s comprehensive plan contains a Natural Environment Focus Area that addresses impacts related to extreme heat. It includes a policy to reduce the urban heat island effect by minimizing heat generation and retention (EC3) and a policy to expand and maintain tree canopy and urban forests for heat mitigation (G14).