American Planning Association

California House

Affordable Housing Becomes More Affordable in California Due to Parking Reform

AB 744, a bill which requires no more than one parking space be provided for every two units of affordable and senior housing proximate to transit, was signed by Gov. Jerry Brown on Oct. 9.

October 14, 2015 - Smart Growth America

APA Announces the 2015 'Great Places in America'

The APA's flagship program is back with its 2015 iteration—celebrating the best neighborhoods, public spaces, and streets in the United States.

October 2, 2015 - American Planning Association

Uptown Oakland

What Is a 'Great' Neighborhood? An Analysis of APA's Top-Rated Places

A study recently published in the Journal of the American Planning Association finds that the APA's definition of "great neighborhoods" might be leaving low-income and minority populations behind.

August 27, 2015 - Emily Talen

'Digital Coast' Connects Planners and Data for Coastal Resilience

A new resource created by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in partnership with the APA makes it easier for planners to access the data necessary to plan for climate adaptation, sea level rise, and other forms of coastal resilience.

August 13, 2015 - APA Policy News

Guidance for Providing Safe Access to Parks

The American Planning Association has released new information on the role of planners in providing safe routes to parks.

July 31, 2015 - American Planning Association

Looking Back at the APA's HUD Secretary's Opportunity and Empowerment Award

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is celebrating its 50th year. To help commemorate the occasion, the American Planning Association looks back on its partnership with HUD.

June 19, 2015 - American Planning Association

Kentucky Planners Against the Proliferation of LED Billboards

An op-ed from the Kentucky state chapter of the American Planning Association takes a strong stance against regulations that could allow the permitting of LED billboards along highways.

June 16, 2015 - The Courier-Journal

House Approves Cuts to Census and American Community Survey—Senate Up Next

The American Planning Association is keeping tabs on a bill making its way through Congress that would cut funding for the U.S. Census Bureau.

June 7, 2015 - APA Policy News

Mobilizing Against Threats to American Community Survey

Rep. Ted Poe (R – Texas) has introduced legislation that would gut the reach of the American Community Survey—one of the most useful sources of information for planning research.

May 28, 2015 - APA Policy News

APA and CNU Get on the Same Page

American Planning Association Executive Director Jim Drinan and Congress for New Urbanism President and CEO Lynn Richards made a video announcing a new era of partnership between the two organizations.

April 30, 2015 - American Planning Association

Seattle APA National Conference

Trends from the APA 2015 Conference

Every year we analyze all of the tweets from the APA Conference and tell you about the trends in planning. With 2,884 people tweeting from the APA Conference, there is a lot of great ideas, links, and pictures that we can all learn from.

April 25, 2015 - Jennifer Evans-Cowley

Celebrating APA's 2015 National Planning Awards Recipients

A highlight of the APA's National Planning Conference every year—the presentation of the National Planning Excellence and Achievement Awards.

April 22, 2015 - American Planning Association

Students a Bright Light for the Future of Planning at the APA National Conference

The American Planning Association has invited students to contribute blog posts on their reactions to the APA National Conference. Their thoughts so far have revealed holistic concerns and creative thinking—positive signs for the next generation.

April 20, 2015 - American Planning Association

American Planning Association 2015

Welcome to a New Era of Planning: the APA National Conference Draws a Crowd

The American Planning Association's 2015 National Conference has launched in Seattle, with more attendees than any event since before the recession.

April 19, 2015 - James Brasuell

Mapping the Knowledge Domain of Planning

Tom Sanchez and Nader Afzalan explore the age old question, "what is planning?" in their new report published earlier this week.

October 31, 2014 - Tom Sanchez

APA Seeking Input for Updated 'Planning for Sustainability Policy Guide'

The American Planning Association (APA) is seeking input for an update of the 2000 Planning for Sustainability Policy Guide.

October 20, 2014 - American Planning Association

Portland Transit Mall

Neighborhoods, Streets, and Public Space: 30 'Great Places in America'

The American Planning Association (APA) has released its annual list of 10 Great Neighborhoods, 10 Great Streets, and 10 Great Public Spaces.

October 2, 2014 - American Planning Association

Young and all people stroll at a community event in New York City.

APA Poll Finds Millennials and Boomers 'Investing in Place'

During the American Planning Association's (APA) 2014 National Planning Conference in Atlanta, the APA announced findings from a national opinion survey that shows a clear interest in place-making among the concerns of Americans of all ages.

May 1, 2014 - American Planning Association

Trends from the APA 2014 Conference

Every year we analyze all of the tweets from the APA Conference and tell you about the trends in planning. With more than 1,000 people tweeting from the APA Conference, there is a lot of great ideas, links, and blogs that we can all learn from.

May 1, 2014 - Jennifer Evans-Cowley

New Leadership Elected at the American Planning Association

The APA has announced the election of the next president of the national organization—Carol Rhea, FAICP.

April 30, 2014 - American Planning Association

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.