American Planning Association

American Planning Association. The American Planning Association is a professional organization that represents the field of urban planning in the United States, with members including landscape architects, urban designers, and other professionals involved in community development. The organization is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has a strong presence in cities such as New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. The American Planning Association works closely with other organizations, including the Urban Land Institute, National Association of Counties, and United States Conference of Mayors.

● History

The American Planning Association was formed in 1978 through the merger of the American Institute of Planners and the American Society of Planning Officials. The organization's history dates back to the early 20th century, when Frederick Law Olmsted and other pioneers in the field of landscape architecture and urban planning began to advocate for more planned and sustainable approaches to community development. The American Planning Association has been influenced by the work of notable planners and designers, including Le Corbusier, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Jane Jacobs, and has played a key role in shaping the development of cities such as Paris, Tokyo, and Sydney. The organization has also been involved in major planning initiatives, including the New Deal and the Great Society programs, and has worked with government agencies such as the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Environmental Protection Agency.

● Organization

The American Planning Association is a membership-based organization with a diverse range of members, including planners, landscape architects, urban designers, and other professionals involved in community development. The organization is governed by a board of directors, which includes representatives from State planning agencies, local governments, and private sector organizations. The American Planning Association has a strong network of state and local chapters, including the California Chapter, New York Metro Chapter, and Texas Chapter, and works closely with other organizations, including the National League of Cities, National Association of Regional Councils, and International City/County Management Association. The organization also has a number of special interest groups, including the Transportation Planning Division and the Environmental Planning Division.

● Policy and Advocacy

The American Planning Association is a strong advocate for sustainable development and smart growth policies, and works to promote more planned and sustainable approaches to community development. The organization has been involved in a number of major policy initiatives, including the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act and the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act, and has worked with government agencies such as the United States Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. The American Planning Association has also been a strong supporter of new urbanism and transit-oriented development, and has worked with organizations such as the Congress for the New Urbanism and the Transportation Research Board to promote more sustainable and equitable approaches to urban planning. The organization has also been involved in international planning initiatives, including the United Nations Habitat and the European Union's Urban Agenda.

● Education and Certification

The American Planning Association offers a range of educational programs and resources, including the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification program, which is recognized as the standard for professional planners in the United States. The organization also offers a range of training and professional development programs, including the Planning Officials Development Program and the Urban Planning and Design Program, and works with universities and colleges such as Harvard University, University of California, Berkeley, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology to promote urban planning education and research. The American Planning Association has also been involved in a number of initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion in the field of urban planning, including the Planning and Community Equity Program and the Social Equity and Inclusive Growth Program.

● Publications and Resources

The American Planning Association publishes a range of publications and resources, including the Journal of the American Planning Association and the Planning Magazine, which provide information and analysis on the latest trends and issues in urban planning. The organization also offers a range of online resources, including the Planning Advisory Service and the Research KnowledgeBase, which provide access to research and best practices in urban planning. The American Planning Association has also been involved in a number of initiatives to promote sustainable development and smart growth, including the Sustainable Communities Program and the Green Infrastructure Program, and works with organizations such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to promote more sustainable and equitable approaches to community development.

● Awards and Recognition

The American Planning Association presents a range of awards and recognition programs, including the National Planning Excellence Awards and the AICP Awards for Excellence, which recognize outstanding achievements in urban planning and community development. The organization also offers a range of scholarships and fellowships, including the APA Scholarship Program and the Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners program, which support the education and professional development of planners and other professionals involved in community development. The American Planning Association has also been recognized for its own achievements, including its work on sustainable development and smart growth, and has received awards from organizations such as the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and the National Association of Counties. The organization has also been involved in international awards programs, including the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour and the European Union's European Urban and Regional Planning Awards. Category:Urban planning organizations