Blog
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June 24, 2025
One More Lesson: Advice from Professors for Current and Future Planners
Emerging planners may face a future different than what they imagined a year ago as federal policy rapidly changes. Five planning professors offer tips on how to be successful as early-career professionals. -
June 23, 2025
Resilience Advice for Planners from Experts in High-Stress Careers
Planners can learn applicable approaches to managing stress and improving personal resilience from surgeons, therapists, and first responders working in high-stress jobs. -
June 23, 2025
The Planner's Paycheck: Where the Money Comes From
As federal policy shifts threaten core planning-related programs, pandemic-recovery funding ends, and the specter of economic recession looms larger, it's time for planners to take a close look at the sources of funding that pay for their positions. Part One of this three-part series explores how we pay for planning now and reviews some warning signs we've seen through the first half of 2025. -
June 23, 2025
Stormy Forecast For FEMA and the Future of Mitigation Policy
The Trump administration aims to announce a plan to overhaul the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in late 2025. -
June 17, 2025
Trump Administration Gives Green Light to Autonomous Vehicles
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced a new process for approving waivers to vehicle design standards. The move has significant implications for autonomous vehicles (AVs) which require waivers for omitting required safety elements. -
June 16, 2025
Looking Back and Accelerating Forward: Increasing Abundance Through the Housing Supply Accelerator
Reflecting on the success of the Housing Supply Accelerator Playbook, a one-of-a-kind guide for boosting attainable housing supply, and the launch of the Housing Supply Accelerator Challenge led by APA and NLC to further support communities. -
June 12, 2025
Understanding Why Residents Remain in Japan's Flood Zones
Global Perspectives: Discover how deep cultural ties, economic constraints, and policy gaps influence why residents in Japan’s flood-prone areas choose to stay, offering planners valuable insights for community-informed resilience strategies. -
June 11, 2025
You Can't Be Family Friendly Without Being Childcare Friendly
Spotlight on Zoning Practice: Zoning may not be the primary regulatory tool for childcare facilities, but that doesn't mean it isn't an important tool for expanding access to childcare. -
June 10, 2025
What's Next? Celebrating the One-Year Anniversary of the Housing Supply Accelerator Playbook
Reflecting on the one-year anniversary of the Housing Supply Accelerator Playbook and introducing the Housing Supply Accelerator Challenge, a nationwide network designed to accelerate the implementation of proven and innovative housing strategies and expand the supply of housing in communities across the country. -
June 9, 2025
Disaster-Proof Your Planning: Using Emergency Management Phases to Tackle Uncertainty
The phases of emergency management can be a useful framework for preparing and coping with threats to local planning activities. -
June 5, 2025
How Three European Countries Are Modernizing Land Records
Global Perspectives: See how three European countries are modernizing cadastral systems through 3D mapping, public-private collaboration, and AI to deliver more accurate, accessible, and future-ready land data for planners. -
June 3, 2025
State-Based Housing Coalitions Lead the Way to Local Solutions
As housing affordability and supply challenges intensify nationwide, states are recognizing that comprehensive solutions require broad collaboration. In states across the country, coalitions of business leaders, housing advocates, planners, and community members are coming together to craft policies that reflect their communities’ unique needs. -
May 29, 2025
Rethinking Metropolitan Governance for Inclusive Planning in Germany’s Kinzig Valley
Global Perspectives: Discover how Germany’s Kinzig Valley balances rural identity with urban reliance—underscoring the need for planning approaches that integrate small towns into metropolitan governance without erasing their unique character. -
May 22, 2025
House Moves Major Tax Bill Forward
The U.S. House of Representatives passed its 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' in a narrow, late-night vote. For planners, the bill's housing, infrastructure finance, clean energy, and economic development elements are especially critical. Learn about the mixed bag of policies included in the bill. -
May 22, 2025
Land Management in Vienna and Hungary
Global Perspectives: Learn how Vienna and Hungary use effective land management strategies to equip planners with powerful tools for improving affordable housing access and shaping equitable urban futures. -
May 22, 2025
Get Outside! Improve Your Mental Health and Well-Being
Learn how nature can help reduce your stress and improve your mental health and overall well-being, and how much time you need to spend in the outdoors to achieve positive benefits. -
May 21, 2025
State Momentum for Housing Reform: A Q&A With Policy Experts
To explore accelerating momentum to increase housing supply and tackle housing affordability, APA hosted a session on "State Momentum for Housing Reform." The discussion featured expert panelists who examine recent state-level efforts, emerging trends, and where housing policy is headed next. -
May 20, 2025
Missing But Not Gone: New Homes for Federal Data
As federal databases are moved off of government websites, other institutions such as nonprofits and universities are stepping in to preserve and house this data. -
May 19, 2025
When It Comes to Large-Scale Solar, One Size Does Not Fit All
When APA and ICMA launched Solar@Scale in late 2020, relatively few communities referenced large-scale solar energy systems in their zoning codes. Nearly five years later, zoning regulations for community- and utility-scale solar energy systems are much more common, we are seeing the emergence of more nuanced regulatory approaches. -
May 15, 2025
Japan's Approach to Aging Urban Housing
Global Perspectives: Learn how Japan’s approach to aging condominiums offers planners a flexible model for keeping older housing viable amid shifting demographics worldwide. -
May 15, 2025
A Fresh Look at Incentive Zoning
Spotlight on Zoning Practice: It isn't 1959 anymore. What are the keys to an effective modern incentive zoning scheme? -
May 13, 2025
Columbus 'Zones In' on More Housing Amid Population Boom
The effects of the nationwide housing supply crisis were pushing Columbus, Ohio, to the brink. -
May 12, 2025
Tackling Uncertainty: Congressionally Directed Spending Requests
With the new unpredictability of some federal grants, many communities are looking for other ways to drive federal investment into local planning and projects. An alternative, or perhaps a supplement, to either discretionary grants or formula-based funding may be congressionally directed spending, known as “earmarks.” -
May 9, 2025
Dealing With Uncertainty? Here’s How
Learn how to apply scenario planning to help you deal with uncertainty. -
May 9, 2025
Three Ways to Build Your Personal Resilience
Learn how to build your personal resilience when confronted with challenging times or behaviors. -
May 8, 2025
Coastal Planning Lessons from Brazil and Spain
Global Perspectives: Learn how coastal planning balances growth and sustainability through Brazil’s tourism-driven model and Spain’s ecological restoration approach. -
May 7, 2025
Trump Budget Proposes Cuts to Key Housing, Community Development Programs
On May 2, the Trump administration released their Fiscal Year 2026 "skinny" budget proposal outlining funding recommendations for federal programs. Learn more on what planners should expect and APA's response. -
May 5, 2025
Spokane: The Pacific Northwest’s Hidden Gem
Sponsored content from Eastern Washington University -
May 5, 2025
Three Tips for Engaging Gen Z in Planning
Engage Generation Z in planning decisions to create civic engagement and a commitment to their communities. -
May 2, 2025
Advancing Highway Safety With Insights from Altitude's Harsh Events Capability
Sponsored content from Altitude by Geotab. -
May 1, 2025
London's Housing Reforms: Lessons on Deregulation for Global Planners
Global Perspectives: London’s housing reforms reveal the trade-offs of deregulation, highlighting the need for planners to balance accelerated development with livability and affordability. -
April 30, 2025
Improve Planning Processes by Asking These 3 Questions
Sponsored content from Tyler Technologies. Here are three simple questions you can ask yourself to improve your planning processes internally and for residents. -
April 28, 2025
What’s Next for Transportation Policy?
The 2024 election results mark unified Republican control of the White House and Congress. Here are some ways planners can expect the administration to chart a different regulatory course for transportation programs and policy. -
April 22, 2025
The Push for Parking Reform
Recent legislative efforts in Washington, Connecticut, Colorado, Minnesota, and Montana highlight a growing movement to reduce or eliminate parking requirements. While each state’s approach varies, the common theme is clear: outdated parking mandates are increasingly an obstacle to housing affordability and sustainable development. -
April 21, 2025
New Ordinance Aims to Boost Sacramento’s Housing Supply
When Nguyen Nguyen, an associate planner in Sacramento, California, began meeting with residents about housing concerns in 2021, he started hearing similar stories. -
April 18, 2025
Recognizing APA Presidential Award Recipients
Honoring the recipients of the 2024 APA President Awards. -
April 17, 2025
Eliminating Owner-Occupied Restrictions for Missing Middle Housing
Uncovering JAPA: Discover how allowing private developers to build middle housing is key to making single-family zoning reform effective and expanding affordable housing options. -
April 17, 2025
New Standards Issued for Regional Economic Development Plans
The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has issued new guidance for required Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy plans (CEDS). Learn how these new standards will affect planners. -
April 17, 2025
FEMA Waives Equity, Climate Requirements for Local Mitigation Plans
FEMA has issued new guidance related to requirements for incorporating underserved communities, socially vulnerable populations, and climate change into local hazard mitigation plans. Those sections are now removed from the guide outlining plan requirements. Read more on how this is affecting planning practices. -
April 15, 2025
Have You Cracked the Code on Effective Zoning Engagement?
Spotlight on Zoning Practice: Why is public engagement around zoning changes so difficult, and what are the keys to effective engagement? -
April 10, 2025
Rethinking the First-Mile/Last-Mile Fix
Uncovering JAPA: Learn how a Milwaukee pilot program challenges the effectiveness of first-mile/last-mile services and reveals the need to center rider input and regional coordination in transit planning. -
April 9, 2025
Managing the Transition From College Student to New Professional
Many emerging professionals struggle with the transition from college to the workforce, facing job market challenges, mental health stressors, and the pressure of starting over in a new environment. -
April 7, 2025
FEMA Suspends Key Pre-Disaster Mitigation Funding
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Acting Administrator Cameron Hamilton issued a memorandum suspending funding for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. The action stops $750 million in planned grants for FY25. Learn how this will impact planners. -
April 2, 2025
NPC25 — The Sights and Sounds
Over 4,300 people made their way to Denver for the American Planning Association’s (APA) 2025 National Planning Conference (NPC25). -
April 2, 2025
USDOT Announces Updated Safe Streets for All Grant Notice
The Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary program is now accepting applications. -
March 27, 2025
Educational Needs for Disaster Recovery Planning
Uncovering JAPA: Explore how planners can strengthen disaster recovery efforts by embracing proactive roles, utilizing planning tools, and leading recovery initiatives to build more resilient communities. -
March 27, 2025
4 Ways to Use State Funding for Local Housing Supply
As federal funding programs are changed, reduced, or curtailed, localities are increasingly looking to states to supplement finance efforts to produce, preserve, and improve housing supply. Here are four ways to use state funding for local housing action, plus a look at two states that are creating even more opportunities for financing -
March 27, 2025
Finance Tools for Housing Abundance
Despite a shifting political environment, planners can still support their communities in securing funding for local reforms that increase housing abundance. Here are four tips to explore the wide variety of financial tools available, and a look at how some communities are already using these tips to their advantage. -
March 27, 2025
7 Actions for Planners Facing Insecure Federal Funding
A variety of federal grant programs are at risk of losing funding due to recent actions by the Trump Administration, including discretionary programs such as Safe Streets for All, RAISE/BUILD grants, and Reconnecting Communities. Here are 7 actions for planners to take when federal grant funds in their communities are in jeopardy. -
March 27, 2025
DOT Rescinds Guidance to States – Here’s What It Means for Planners
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has begun to undo a variety of directives from the Biden administration that guided state and federal infrastructure investments. There are potentially troubling signs that progress through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in areas like biking, pedestrian safety, and environmental impacts may be jeopardized.
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