Association of State and Territorial Planning Directors

Association of State and Territorial Planning Directors
Name	Association of State and Territorial Planning Directors
Abbreviation	ASTPD
Formation	20th century
Type	nonprofit association
Headquarters	United States
Region served	United States and territories
Membership	state and territorial planning agencies
Leader title	Executive Director

Association of State and Territorial Planning Directors is a professional organization representing senior planners from state and territorial agencies across the United States and its territories. It serves as a forum for policy coordination among agencies involved with land use, transportation, environmental stewardship, coastal management, and emergency preparedness. The association engages with federal entities, regional organizations, and philanthropic foundations to influence program implementation and technical capacity at subnational levels.

History

The association traces its origins to mid-20th century efforts by senior officials in agencies modeled after the Tennessee Valley Authority, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and regional planning commissions like the Metropolitan Council (Minnesota), who sought interjurisdictional coordination. Early convenings included planners affiliated with the National Governors Association, the Council of State Governments, and the American Planning Association. During the 1960s and 1970s, interactions with institutions such as the Federal Highway Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration catalyzed an expanded role for state and territorial planning directors. The association formalized structures in response to legislative and regulatory initiatives including acts promulgated by the United States Congress and programmatic shifts influenced by reports from the Brookings Institution and RAND Corporation.

Mission and Objectives

The association's stated mission emphasizes improving coordination among agency leaders to implement statutory programs and federally funded initiatives. Objectives include strengthening technical capacity through exchanges with the U.S. Department of Transportation, advancing resilience priorities aligned with recommendations from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the National Academy of Sciences, and fostering equity considerations reminiscent of frameworks advanced by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and the Kresge Foundation. The organization promotes best practices compatible with standards from the American Society of Civil Engineers and supports compliance with statutes administered by the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Membership and Governance

Membership comprises directors and senior staff from state and territorial planning agencies, including those in jurisdictions such as California, Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Governance typically involves an elected board, standing committees, and an executive committee modeled after nonprofit associations like the National Conference of State Legislatures. Officers engage with advisory groups that include representatives from the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations, the National Association of Counties, and the National League of Cities. The board often organizes annual meetings featuring speakers from entities such as the White House and federal agencies including the Department of Commerce.

Activities and Programs

The association convenes conferences, technical workshops, and peer-exchange programs that mirror formats used by the Urban Land Institute and the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. Training curricula address topics informed by guidance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the U.S. Geological Survey on hazards, coastal change, and mapping. It operates working groups focused on transportation planning, land conservation, and brownfields remediation, coordinating with partners like the Environmental Defense Fund and the Trust for Public Land. The association also facilitates multi-state compacts and memoranda of understanding that resemble interstate agreements administered through the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin.

Partnerships and Advocacy

To advance policy and technical priorities, the association partners with federal agencies including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. It engages with philanthropic partners such as the MacArthur Foundation and the Ford Foundation and research institutions like the Brookings Institution and the Urban Institute to produce evidence-based recommendations. Advocacy efforts involve testimony before congressional committees and participation in stakeholder coalitions alongside organizations such as the American Planning Association, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the National Association of Development Organizations.

Publications and Resources

The association produces policy briefs, technical guidance, and model agreements that draw on standards from the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the American Society for Public Administration. Resources include case studies highlighting collaborations in states like New York, Washington (state), and Louisiana, and toolkits addressing climate adaptation influenced by reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. It disseminates newsletters and compendia akin to publications produced by the Urban Land Institute and maintains searchable libraries of best practices used by state agencies and regional commissions.

Impact and Notable Initiatives

The association has influenced large-scale initiatives including multi-state resilience planning tied to coastal regions affected by storms studied by the National Hurricane Center, collaborative transportation investments shaped by Federal Transit Administration grant programs, and statewide land conservation efforts that coordinate with the Land Trust Alliance. Notable initiatives include facilitating interstate hazard mitigation compacts, advancing model legislation on smart growth that informed actions in jurisdictions like Oregon and Maryland, and supporting data-sharing platforms interoperable with systems from the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Its convening power has assisted state and territorial leaders in aligning funding priorities with federal grant programs administered by agencies such as the Economic Development Administration and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in the United States