Irving Hand, FAICP, Professor Emeritus

Professor Irving Hand, FAICP, (far right) has had a significant national impact on the planning profession, especially on developing a regional planning approach. He provided oversight for the creation of Pennsylvania's first Appalachian Development Plan.

Professor Irving Hand, FAICP, has had a significant national impact on the planning profession, especially on developing a regional planning approach. In the early 1950s, he played an instrumental role in establishing the Tulsa, Oklahoma, Metropolitan Area Planning Commission. He helped facilitate the creation of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County in 1962.

Hand was appointed by Pennsylvania Governor William Scranton as the director of the Pennsylvania State Planning Board. Under his leadership, he helped shape Pennsylvania's planning enabling legislation in 1968 with the adoption of the state's first Municipalities Planning Code. The code remains in effect today. He also spearheaded the development of Pennsylvania's first Appalachian Development Plan.

Within the academic realm, Hand served as chairman of the graduate degree program in urban and regional planning at Pennsylvania State University, Capital College. He established the Institute of State and Regional Affairs and the Pennsylvania State Data Center — both organizations continue to serve planning needs within the commonwealth but also nationwide.

Hand continues to educate and provide planning service today and is Chairman Emeritus at Delta Development Group, Inc. He was inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners in 2000.

Professor Irving Hand, FAICP, (far right) has had a significant national impact on the planning profession, especially on developing a regional planning approach. He provided oversight for the creation of Pennsylvania's first Appalachian Development Plan.