Technology Division

The use of technology is integral to how communities are communicating and engaging their citizens to plan for the future. Rapidly evolving tools for community design and decision making are creating new opportunities to enhance public involvement, share information, and make more informed decisions in cities and towns throughout the country. The American Planning Association (APA) Technology Division links you with others who share your interest in the use of technology in land use planning and community development. The division consists of 500 APA members with a common interest in the uses and impact of technology in planning the future of our communities. Our mission is to: Exchange information about planning applications that incorporate and are improved through the use of technology; Explore potential applications that may offer benefits to the profession; Inform and educate all members of the APA about solutions that work; and, Advocate for best practices in the use of technology to support planning. Join Now

Recent Accomplishments and Highlights

• Feature Article in Planning magazine on "Putting Democracy Front & Center: Technology for Citizen Participation"
• Created and hosted sessions at the past two APA national conferences
• Developed an APA Web Training on Decision Support Tools
• APA Awards program recognized five outstanding uses of technology in planning
• Defined and highlighted the core skills a technology-proficient planner should have
• Conducted the first-ever, nationwide pilot benchmarking survey of how public sector planning departments are using technology
• Adopted and advocated for policy positions on important technology issues related to planning (i.e. advocating for the use of public participation tools and techniques in comprehensive plan updates.)

Join Us and be part of an exciting effort to improve planning through the use of innovative technologies

• Receive a newly redesigned quarterly newsletter with insightful articles that will inform your work
• Share your thoughts on and experiences with planning technology and learn from others testing and applying new applications in real planning situations
• Volunteer to help coordinate our sponsored sessions at the annual National Planning Conference and/or other Tech Division activities
• Participate in applied research activities
• Ask questions and receive answers from the experts about planning technology and applications

We encourage anyone with an interest in improving knowledge and skills to join the division and, regardless of membership status, share thoughts on planning technology.

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