Do planners matter? Examining factors driving incorporation of land use approaches into hazard mitigation plans

Local hazard mitigation plans help communities organise a comprehensive set of policies and actions to reduce long-term risks from natural hazards. Land use policies hold the greatest long-term risk reduction potential, but are under-utilised. Using multivariate regression models, we assessed the influence of involvement of local planners on hazard mitigation planning committees on the inclusion of land use policies into three principles of plan quality, controlling for state and local factors. Results indicate a need for greater involvement of local planners and stronger emphasis by federal and state officials on integrating land use planning approaches into mitigation plans. Findings may be relevant to other areas of public policy with important land use dimensions for which non-planning agencies and professions have lead responsibility or historical dominance, such as transportation and climate change.