There are a lot of great places to celebrate in Texas, and the state chapter of the American Planning Association is in the second year of a program that calls attention to the role of planners in making them happen.

The Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association has announced its 2018 Great Places designations, acknowledging places with "exceptional character" that also "highlight the role planners and planning play in creating communities of lasting value."
It's the second time APA-Texas has undertaken this Great Places program, and they hired Chet Garner, host and producer of the Daytripper, to help promote the program and the places that made the list.
The list of Great Places in Texas includes two neighborhoods, one street, and three public spaces:
- Downtown Bryan - Great Neighborhood
- Downtown San Marcos - Great Neighborhood
- Fort Worth Magnolia Avenue - Great Street
- McAllen Oval Park - Great Public Space
- Tyler Municipal Rose Garden - Great Public Space
- Waco Suspension Bridge - Great Public Space
A website announcing the program and the recent winners of the Great Places in Texas designation includes the growing list of past and present Great Places in Texas, along with the places in Texas that have been acknowledged by the national chapter of the American Planning Association.
FULL STORY: 2018 Great Places in Texas Announcement

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units
Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Four Reasons Urban Planners Can’t Ignore AI
It’s no longer a question of whether AI will shape planning, but how. That how is up to us.

Bend, Deschutes County Move to Restrict Major Homeless Encampment
City and county officials are closing off portions of an area known as Juniper Ridge where many unhoused residents find shelter, hoping to direct people to housing and supportive services.

High Housing Costs Driving Down Transit Ridership in LA
When neighborhoods gentrify and displace lower-income residents, transit ridership suffers, new research shows.

Iowa Legalizes Accessory Dwelling Units
A new law will allow property owners to build ADUs on single-family lots starting on July 1.
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.
City of Mt Shasta
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada