Know of a Great Street, Neighborhood, or Public Space? 2008 Submission Period Closed Next Submission Period begins November 2008 Great Places. You know them when you see them, right? But how do they become great? All the decisions we make, large and small, influence the quality of our neighborhoods, streets, parks, and public spaces. The American Planning Association is launching its 2008 "Great Places in America" program to celebrate places of exceptional character, quality, and planning. APA Is Looking for Great Streets, Neighborhoods, and Public Spaces As part of this initiative, APA needs your help in suggesting places that are great and merit such designation.  We are looking at you to suggest your favorite neighborhoods, streets, and public spaces across America, whether they are in your own city or town, in a place you've visited, or in a place you otherwise know about. Ten Great Neighborhoods, 10 Great Streets, and 10 Great Public Spaces will be recognized by APA during National Community Planning Month in October 2008. Excitement Continues for Great Places The American Planning Association recently recognized St. Charles Avenue as one of America's 10 Great Streets as a part of a celebration in New Orleans to reconnect the avenue's trolley line, which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Click here for all the details.

What Makes a Great Place?
Probably we all can think of a street, neighborhood, or public place that is unique or memorable, but what makes it special? What elements combine to produce a place that not only works for people in the community but rises far above the ordinary?

APA's selection guidelines will be considered in addition to other important factors such as geography, population, demographics, and setting (urban, suburban, rural). Consider these guidelines not as a checklist of "must-haves," but rather as important principles from which we will base our judgments.

Guidelines for Great Streets

Guidelines for Great Neighborhoods

Guidelines for Great Public Spaces

Make your suggestion here. It's quick and easy.
Have a great street or neighborhood in mind?  Help us recognize it by filling out this short form:

Submit your suggestion

If you already have an APA ID, use it to log in to access the form. Otherwise, click here to create an APA ID. You may start a suggestion now and save it to complete later.

Suggestions will be accepted on an ongoing basis; however we encourage you to send in your form by Janaury 15, 2008, in order to have it considered for our October 2008 announcement.

What happens next?
APA will be reviewing suggestions and may ask for additional information about recommended places as part of the designation process. In October 2008, we will:

• Announce the designated 10 Great Streets, 10 Great Neighborhoods, and 10 Great Public Spaces on our website
• Issue press releases and other announcements
• Present certificates and virtual plaques for designees' websites for the designated Great Places.

APA will publish a special report highlighting the great places recognized in 2007.

Questions?
Direct questions or concerns to greatplaces@planning.org. Thank you for participating!

2007 Designations Lead to Unprecedented Media Coverage
The 10 Great Streets and 10 Great Neighborhoods designated October 2007 in the Great Places in America program reached an audience of approximately 30 million, a record for the American Planning Association. Click here to learn more.

FAQ Now Online
Click here for frequently asked questions about Great Places in America.