It's one of the biggest days of the entire year for the planning and planners who make great places happen.
The American Planning Association has awarded 15 locations with the Great Places designation—a recognition for the work of planners and communities in creating great neighborhoods, streets, and public spaces.
"Our Great Places in America designees highlight the many facets that make up planning –from community engagement, quality of character and economic development," said Cynthia Bowen, president of APA, in a statement announcing the awards. "These neighborhoods, streets and public spaces illustrate how a community coming together creates lasting value."
Here's the list of this year's winners.
Great Neighborhoods
- Canalway Cultural District – Lowell, Massachusetts
- The Village of Shelburne Falls – Shelburne and Buckland, Massachusetts
- Guthrie Historic District – Guthrie, Oklahoma
- Historic Downtown Georgetown – Georgetown, Texas
- Ghent – Norfolk, Virginia
Great Streets
- Cushman Street – Fairbanks, Alaska
- East Cross Street – Ypsilanti, Michigan
- Fayetteville Street – Raleigh, North Carolina
- West Magnolia Avenue – Fort Worth, Texas
- State Street – Bristol, Tennessee and Bristol, Virginia
Great Public Spaces
- The Plaza – Orange, California
- Aspen Pedestrian Mall – Aspen, Colorado
- Mill River Park – Stamford, Connecticut
- Public Square – Cleveland, Ohio
- RiversEdge at Marcum Park – Hamilton, Ohio
Check out more information and images for each of the winning places on the APA's website.
With the announcement of the 2018 Great Places in America comes a reminder that October is National Community Planning Month. That occasion will help promote a final award for the 2018 Great Places, the People's Choice designee. Nominate your favorite Great Place by commenting on APA’s Facebook page, Twitter or Instagram feed using #APAgreatplaces between October 1 and October 12. Voting will take place the second half of October, with the “People’s Choice” Great Place designee being announced November 7, according to the APA.
FULL STORY: Great Places in America
2019 Great Places in America Announced
The American Planning Association has announced four neighborhoods, six public spaces, and three streets as 2019 Great Places in America honorees. Nominations for the people's Choice category are still open.
The Promise and Significance of Planning Month
This October, the American Planning Association celebrated National Community Planning Month, or #PlanningMonth for short.
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.
In Most U.S. Cities, Archaic Laws Limit Roommate Living
Critics argue laws preventing unrelated adults from living in the same home fail to understand the modern American household.
Ten Signs of a Resurgent Downtown
In GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe continues his exploration of a holistic and practical approach to post-pandemic urban center recovery, anchored in local context and community-driven initiatives that promote livability, safety, and sustainability.
Off-Peak is the New On-Peak
Public transit systems in major U.S. cities are starting to focus on non-rush hour travelers as pre-pandemic commuting patterns shift and transportation needs change.
Research Indicates the Large Potential Benefits of Parking Cash-Out Laws
‘Free’ employee increases driving. Parking cash-out laws reward commuters who use climate-friendly modes, which increases fairness and reduces traffic problems.
Through the Eyes of a Journalist: Megan Kimble Reflects on Covering Food Systems, Zoning Changes, and Highway Projects in the Southwest
Kimble’s interest in topics related to urban planning spawned from research and writing about food systems in the borderlands of Arizona. She then moved to Austin in the midst of the city’s update of its Land Development Code.
Tacoma Coalition Calls for ‘Tenants’ Bill of Rights’
The group wants to put more power in the hands of tenants, but the city has its own, competing proposal for addressing the housing crisis.
Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission
Code Studio
TAG Associates, Inc.
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Montrose County
Knox County
Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department
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.
