The American Planning Association (APA) has honored Los Angeles County with the Award of Excellence in Sustainability for the 2019 OurCounty Sustainability Plan.

The APA's Sustainable Communities Division has honored the county of Los Angeles with the Award of Excellence in Sustainability for its groundbreaking 2019 OurCounty Sustainability Plan. Unlike other sustainability plans, the OurCounty plan is unique in its regional focus as it moves to tackle a wide range of environmental, social, and economic challenges.
OurCounty was developed in a collaborative process involving hundreds of stakeholders, thousands of hours of equity-centered dialogue, substantial research, and cutting-edge analyses in a process led by the county’s Chief Sustainability Office. Over the course of two years, the county took a comprehensive, community-based approach to crafting the nation’s most ambitious regional sustainability plan that is bold, inclusive, and sets a vision for the present and future generations of Los Angeles.
“We’re proud and grateful for this recognition, which we share with the hundreds of stakeholders who challenged us to make OurCounty the most ambitious regional sustainability plan anywhere,” said Fesia Davenport, Los Angeles County Chief Executive Officer. “It is a special honor to share this award with the community-based organizations that led the equity-focused engagement process that produced our sustainability roadmap.”
This is not the first time the county of Los Angeles has won the award. In 2019, the county's Department of Parks and Recreation received the same award for its Master Plan for Sustainable Parks and Recreation: Phase I, which consists of Community Parks and Recreation Plans for six park-poor unincorporated communities. (To learn more about the implementation of these plans, please read this article.)
FULL STORY: OurCounty Sustainability Plan Honored for Excellence in Sustainability by American Planning Association

The Right to Mobility
As we consider how to decarbonize transportation, preserving mobility, especially for lower- and middle-income people, must be a priority.

America’s Best New Bike Lanes
PeopleForBikes highlights some of the most exciting new bike infrastructure projects completed in 2022.

Early Sharrow Booster: ‘I Was Wrong’
The lane marking was meant to raise awareness and instill shared respect among drivers and cyclists. But their inefficiency has led supporters to denounce sharrows, pushing instead for more robust bike infrastructure that truly protects riders.

How the Urban Tree Canopy Can Save Lives in a Heat Wave
New research reveals the direct link between planting more trees and a reduction in heat-related deaths.

Colorado Emissions Reduction Plan Ties Sustainable Transportation to State Funding
The state’s Greenhouse Gas Planning Standard uses tangible financial penalties to prioritize transportation projects that reduce emissions.

The Bicycle as Economic Lifeline
For many low-income households, bikes offer an affordable way to access more destinations and economic opportunities.
Town of Palm Beach
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
York County Government
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Harvard GSD Executive Education
City of Fitchburg, WI
City of Culver City
Sonoma County Transportation Authority
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.