September 26, 2007

Celebrating Communities: October Is National Community Planning Month

CHICAGO— From where you live to how you commute, community planning plays a major role in your daily life — more than you may realize. This October, celebrate your community and the many individuals who help make your neighborhood special during National Community Planning Month.

Designated by the American Planning Association (APA), the month-long celebration honors the process and the individuals involved in creating communities that are desirable places to work, live and recreate.

This year's theme, Great Streets, Great Neighborhoods, recognizes three important building blocks of great communities, the streets, neighborhoods, and people who make communities special.

"Planning is a necessity, not an option for communities," said Jeff Soule, FAICP, outreach and international director at APA. "Good planning provides residents with more choices, healthy communities and protection from manmade or natural disasters."

A variety of events are planned to celebrate National Community Planning Month:

• Great Places in America Program
  A new designation program designed to celebrate places of exceptional character, quality, and planning. Find out what streets and neighborhoods were deemed "great" on October 2. More at www.planning.org/greatplaces.
  
  
• Federal Policy & Program Briefing (September 30 to October 1)
  Planners will discuss possible federal legislation impacts on a variety of planning decisions such as climate change, affordable housing and the farm bill reauthorization. More at www.planning.org/policyconference.

• Planners' Day on Capitol Hill (October 2)
  Planners will meet with legislators to discuss the importance of planning. More at www.planning.org/policyconference/plannersday.htm.
  

• High School Essay Contest
  The contest encourages high school students to learn about planning in their own community.  More at www.planning.org/institutions/hsessay.htm

• AICP Symposium: "The Art of Making Great Places Green Places"(October 23)
  The symposium will examine the elements of great places and the connection between place making and green planning. More at www.planning.org/symposium/2007.htm.

• Local and regional events
  Find a celebration in your neighborhood at www.planning.org/ncpm/07reportedactivities.htm.

"We hope individuals will take the time this October to learn more about the importance of planning in their community," Soule said. "Good planning practices really contribute to making a great neighborhood."

Contact
Roberta Rewers, APA, 312-786-6395; rrewers@planning.org