About the American Planning Association

Planners play a vital role in building communities of lasting value. Their ability to envision future plans, identify issues, and solve the challenges brought on by growth and change help build quality communities across the nation. The American Planning Association (APA) brings together thousands of people — professional planners, engaged citizens, elected officials, and business leaders — to develop communities that are safe and offer residents more choices on where and how they work, live, and recreate.

APA is a nonprofit education and research organization committed to promoting good planning. The organization was founded in 1978 after the consolidation of two planning associations, the American Institute of Planners (founded in 1917) and the American Society of Planning Officials (ASPO, established in 1934). The first executive director of APA, the late Israel Stollman, was instrumental in joining the two organizations into one national association that today serves more than 44,000 members.

The association is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with offices in Chicago and Shanghai, China.

American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)

APA's professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners, provides recognized leadership nationwide in the certification of professional planners, ethics, professional development, planning education, and planning practice standards. APA members must meet certain education and experience requirements, and pass a written exam to become a certified planner and use the AICP designation.

Election to Fellow in AICP is one of the highest honors that the professional institute bestows on a member. This honor recognizes the achievements of the planner as an individual, evaluating the Fellow before the public and the profession as a model planner who has made significant contributions to planning and society. Fellowship is granted to certified members who have achieved excellence in professional practice, teaching and mentoring, research, public or community service, and leadership.

National Planning Conference

The annual National Planning Conference is the premier event of its kind in the world and brings together more than 5,000 planners from across the nation and abroad. The conference is designed to help satisfy the needs of planners — from managing day-to-day issues to envisioning the big picture that can impact the quality and character of communities. The five-day conference is held in a different city each year and features numerous sessions, mobile workshops, training, and development opportunities. The 100th anniversary of the National Planning Conference will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, April 25-29, 2009.

National Planning Awards

APA recognizes the best plans, projects, and people with its annual National Planning Awards. The awards highlight the efforts of planners, elected officials, and engaged citizens for their innovative work in our communities. The awards are presented during the National Planning Conference at a special luncheon. Recipients also are featured in the awards issue of Planning magazine.

Leadership

APA is governed by members, elected and appointed, who volunteer to provide guidance and direction for the national association. Leadership includes the 13-member Board of Directors, eight-member AICP Commission, Chapter Presidents Council, Divisions Council, Student Representatives Council, and a number of committees and task forces.

Chapters

Chapters enable members to become engaged in events and activities in their home communities. The chapters serve as networking resources and provide professional development opportunities. Most chapters hold an annual conference, educational workshops, and offer AICP exam preparation courses.

Divisions

Each one of the 19 divisions focuses on a special interest of planning. Divisions provide a number of additional activities and services to members beyond that of the national association. Every division organizes sessions for the National Planning Conference. APA divisions include:

Students

Students are an important part of the planning process, and bring a fresh outlook to the workplace. APA offers one free year of membership to students in their first year of an accredited planning program. Membership enables students to network with established planners, learn from mentors and participate in chapter events and APA governance through the Student Representatives Council.

APA and Planning in China

Since China's economic reform in 1978, and especially since 1996, APA has been working closely with the central and local governments in the People's Republic of China. APA officially offers consultation and advice to the PRC's Ministry of Construction, Ministry of Land and Resource, State Environmental Protection Agency, and other agencies. In November 2004, the new APA training center opened in Shanghai and is available to APA members.

Education and Training

APA offers a variety of planning education services addressing innovative concepts, implementation, and case studies. Training is offered in a number of formats including special workshops and sessions at the National Planning Conference; intensive, two-day workshops offered around the country by APA's professional institute; and eight audio/web conference programs a year that focus on specific planning topics or issues. Online services include ResourcesZine, a searchable resource for teachers and planners with information on hundreds of publications, curricula, programs, and books related to planning and youth.

Publications

APA produces a number of resources that cover the latest about community building, best practices, and case studies. Publications include Planning magazine, Planning & Environmental Law, Zoning Practice, Practicing Planner, The Commissioner, and the Journal of the American Planning Association. The Planning Advisory Service Reports provide in-depth analysis on current practices, real-world examples, and practical advice. Approximately eight Planning Advisory Service Reports are published each year on varying topics including parking, disaster mitigation, place making, and big box stores.

Planners Press

Planners Press is an imprint of APA. The service publishes four to six books a year that focus on the tools and trends of the planning field. Recent publications include True Urbanism, Planners and Politics, and The High Cost of Free Parking.