APA Announces 2018 Great Places in America

It's one of the biggest days of the entire year for the planning and planners who make great places happen.

2 minute read

September 25, 2018, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


American Planning Asociation

The winners of the 2018 Great Places in America designation gathered in Washington, D.C. this morning. | American Planning Association

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.

Tuesday, September 25, 2018 in American Planning Association

Red on white 'Room for Rent, Inquire Inside' sign

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.

May 24, 2023 - The Atlantic

Vancouver Chuck Wolfe

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.

May 24, 2023 - GeekWire

New York MTA subway station

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.

May 19, 2023 - Curbed

View of cars stuck in gridlocked traffic with traffic lights in background

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.

1 hour ago - An Assessment of the Expected Impacts of City-Level Parking Cash-Out and Commuter Benefits Ordinances

Close-up photo of Megan Kimble against blurry green background with title "A journalist's take on planning"

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.

3 hours ago - The Planning Commission Podcast

Nighttime view of Tacoma, Washington skyline

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.

May 26 - The Urbanist

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.