December 3, 2024
Earlier this month, the DVRPC Public Participation Task Force (PPTF) hosted a meeting on “Public Health Initiatives at Every Scale,” which focused on creating healthier communities throughout the region through climate action, community health initiatives, and placemaking. The meeting featured presentations from Liz Compitello, Manager of the Office of Sustainable Energy at DVRPC, who presented on the Regional Climate Action Plan; Amy Verbofsky, Manager of Healthy and Resilient Communities at DVRPC, who presented on the Camden Health Element, and J.T. Roane, Assistant Professor of Africana Studies and Geography, Rutgers University, who presented research from his book Dark Agoras: Insurgent Black Social Life and the Politics of Place.
The presentations concluded with a panel discussion and audience Q&A facilitated by DVRPC Planning Fellow Jonathon Alexander. The speakers shared how the issues of climate change, health, Black placemaking, and social life intersect and the challenges faced in these areas today. They also discussed community led initiatives in the region that can serve as models for their work going forward. Audience members shared their own experiences of being impacted by climate change in the region and asked where they could access more community health initiatives and resources.
The PPTF would like to thank the presenters for participating in this community-focused conversation. A recording of the meeting and meeting highlights will be posted to the PPTF web page.