A highlight of the APA's National Planning Conference every year—the presentation of the National Planning Excellence and Achievement Awards.
This year's 2015 National Planning Excellence and Achievement Awards winners were announced on March 31, 2015, with local media attention already earned by Vibrant NEO 2040 award winner for a Comprehensive Plan in Northeast Ohio.
The award presentation at this year's national conference was of particular excitement this year because HUD Secretary Julián Castro was on hand to present the event's keynote speech and present the HUD Secretary's Opportunity and Empowerment Award to Mueller Redevelopment in Secretary Castro's home state of Texas. Writing for the APA's conference blog feed, Meghan Stromberg provides insight into Keynote Speeker Castro's keynote, including his primary theme: "Collaborative planning is smart planning."
The APA site also presents a full list of both the Excellence Awards and the Achievements Awards, with links to more details about all the winners.
Read the full story: APA Announces 2015 National Planning Award Recipients
The 2019 National Planning Conference Is Underway
Couldn't make it to San Francisco for the 2019 National Planning Conference? Live vicariously through the magic of the Internet.
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.
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.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Los Angeles just elected an urban planner as its mayor
Transportation analysts are optimistic that Raman will be more aggressive in addressing transit issues than Bass.
Mamdani’s pied-à-terre tax survives legal challenge
A panel of judges found that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate injury as a result of New York City's implementation of the tax.
Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority