Blogs

May 26, 2023

Building Business Resilience for Minority-Owned Businesses

Uncovering JAPA: Three critical aspects for understanding business resilience in underserved communities.

May 23, 2023

Immigrant and Refugee Empowerment is Social Justice

A walking tour during NPC23 highlighted the impact of local community groups as they advocate for API residents.

May 18, 2023

Do Municipalities Use Cost-Benefit Analysis for Incentive Zoning?

Uncovering JAPA: Exploring the use of cost-benefit to develop incentive zoning programs.

May 15, 2023

Practical Tips to Foster Diversity and Inclusion in Your Workplace

Understanding the barriers to diverse planners' recruitment, retention, promotion, and leadership. How employers can promote a welcoming environment and encourage access to opportunities for career growth.

May 12, 2023

Opening the Policy Window for Bike Lanes in Sydney

Uncovering JAPA: Learning to leverage policy windows by committing to evidence-based solutions and political coalition-building.

May 10, 2023

Should States Shrink Zoning?

Spotlight on Zoning Practice: Is state preemption of local zoning the answer to the housing crisis?

May 9, 2023

Augmented: Planners in an Era of Generative AI

Understand the implications of generative AI and learn three steps for planners to take today.

May 5, 2023

Take 5: Celebrating Five Locations Honoring AAPI Heritage

Take 5: Travel the U.S. and learn about five places of significance that honor the heritage of Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

May 4, 2023

Examining Food Systems and Sovereignty In Conflict Cities

Uncovering JAPA: Future planners should be prepared for the politics of planning, especially the challenging role of planning in conflict cities aiming to protect food systems.

May 2, 2023

Planning for Biodiversity in the Face of Climate Change

As stewards of the urban ecosystem, planners can integrate habitat preservation and wildlife movement in an urban environment. A proposed Wildlife Ordinance in the City of Los Angeles aims to protect wildlife habitat and connectivity in its most ecologically significant areas.

April 27, 2023

Centering Equity in Planning and Public Health Collaborations

Uncovering JAPA: Without an equity focus, planning and public health collaborations can harm vulnerable communities or lead to ineffective policies.

April 25, 2023

When It Comes to Large-Scale Solar, Show, Don't (Just) Tell

There's no substitute for a good visualization when it comes to demystifying large-scale solar development.

April 21, 2023

It Takes a Planner: Communicating Your Value to Policymakers

APA is launching “It Takes a Planner”, an effort aimed at building the influence of planners among state and local elected and appointed officials.

April 20, 2023

What is the Role of Theory in Planning?

Uncovering JAPA: Is planning theory important or nonexistent now?

April 14, 2023

Planning for Neurodiversity: NPC23 Planners' Day of Service

Planners' Day of Service at NPC23 explored neurodiversity within the built environment and assembled Calm Kits for a local Philadelphia organization.

April 13, 2023

Understanding and Protecting the Benefits of Immigrant Food Businesses

Uncovering JAPA: Smaller-scale ethnic food businesses contribute to community health and well-being but also boost the local economy.

April 12, 2023

Can You Zone Drone Use?

Spotlight on Zoning Practice: How might communities apply zoning concepts to regulations for drone operations?

April 6, 2023

Applying Intersectionality as Planners to Combat Health Inequities

Uncovering JAPA: Planners must understand the multiple overlapping factors that can produce health disparities.

April 5, 2023

Let's Talk Planning: Scenes from NPC23

Catch up on all that happened at NPC23 in Philadelphia, April 1-4, 2023.

April 5, 2023

Planners Talking About Philadelphia

Attendees at NPC23 were abuzz on social. Find out what got planners talking while in Philadelphia.

March 30, 2023

Enforcing Asian Exclusion Through Design and Planning Regulations

Uncovering JAPA: Three cities in Los Angeles County developed stringent development controls to encourage Anglo or Spanish heritage in response to Asian newcomers.

March 28, 2023

Understanding the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program

Understanding the purpose and history of the Disadvantage Business Enterprise program.

March 27, 2023

Philadelphia to Host National Planning Conference Attendees This Week

APA News: APA's 2023 National Planning Conference heads to Philadelphia this week.

March 24, 2023

State of the State Addresses Aim to Tackle the Housing Crisis

Governors address housing policies in state of state addresses in 2023.

March 23, 2023

Effectiveness of Regional Scenario Planning

Uncovering JAPA: Exploration of three metropolitan regions for how their regional plans are reflected in municipal plans.

March 22, 2023

National Experts Join the Housing Supply Accelerator to Guide Meaningful Action

National experts appointed to help guide the Housing Supply Accelerator.

March 16, 2023

Can Zoning Solve Healthy Food Accessibility in Schools?

Uncovering JAPA: Little research has considered equity implications of zoning policies to reduce access to unhealthy foods. This simulation study aims to understand impacts and outcomes.

March 14, 2023

Take 5: Urban Planning Books By Women

Five women-authored urban planning books that have inspired planners.

March 10, 2023

What's in a (Street) Name?

Spotlight on Zoning Practice: How do street naming and addressing regulations affect planning goals?

March 9, 2023

Retrofitting Suburban Arterials for Smart Growth

Uncovering JAPA: Four Toronto region corridors are examined for walkability and retrofitting potential.

March 6, 2023

Plan Now to Overcome Reflexive Opposition to Large-Scale Solar

Reflexive opposition to large-scale solar projects is on the rise in many parts of the country. Start planning now to avoid the reactive trap.

March 3, 2023

Understanding a Career in Urban Design

From APA's Urban Planning and Design Division - learn about what a career in urban design entails.

March 2, 2023

Maximizing Affordable Housing Production Under Inclusionary Zoning

Uncovering JAPA: Authors aim to understand the effectiveness of different inclusionary zoning policies.

March 1, 2023

Championing Students and Emerging Planners: An Update From the SRC

Student Representatives Chair (SCR) Kohl Malo shares achievements and future plans for student and emerging professional members.

February 23, 2023

Risk MAP Program's Impact on Hazard Mitigation Planning

Uncovering JAPA: Understanding the importance of combining enhanced data into a collaborative process for hazard mitigation planning.

February 16, 2023

Building Resilience with Scenario Planning: An Interview with Dr. Robert Goodspeed

Sponsored content from University of Michigan: Q&A with Dr. Robert Goodspeed, University of Michigan Associate Professor of Urban and Regional Planning, who is launching a 3-day course on Scenario Planning for Urban Futures.

February 16, 2023

It's Perilous to Ignore “Gentle” Zoning Reforms

Spotlight on Zoning Practice: Could subtle zoning changes make a big difference in your community?

February 16, 2023

Understanding the Motivations and Barriers to ADU Construction

Uncovering JAPA: What are the barriers to building ADUs?

February 9, 2023

Lessons for American Zoning From Australia and Canada

Uncovering JAPA: Learning from Australia and Canada's zoning decisions to advance environmental goals, not exclusionary motivations.

February 2, 2023

Expanding the Benefits of Ride-Hail to Lower-Income Households

Uncovering JAPA: Ride-hails are filling mobility gaps, but does the cost hinder use?

February 1, 2023

Revocation of Credentials For Ethical Misconduct

Recent disciplinary actions taken by the AICP Ethics Committee in January 2023.

January 30, 2023

Not Quite Ready For Retirement

Mark Hinshaw reflects back on a 40-year career in urban planning. Aging, dealing with a layoff, and not ready to retire, Mark had to get creative to find a soft landing to close out his long-tenured career.

January 26, 2023

Understanding the Diverse Perceptions of Covid-era Street Schemes

Uncovering JAPA: How enduring is the support for outdoor dining and street closures post-COVID?

January 24, 2023

Updated Large-Scale Solar Guidance from Solar@Scale

Is your community ready to have a conversation about large-scale solar development? Check out the new second edition of the Solar@Scale guidebook for a comprehensive discussion of local policies and actions that can affect the siting and design of community- and utility-scale solar facilities.

January 23, 2023

Partnership to Accelerate & Incentivize Diverse Housing Supply Announced

APA News: APA and NLC partner in national housing campaign to advance and incentivize local approaches to land use, zoning and housing development, and preservation.

January 20, 2023

What to Expect in State Legislatures on Zoning Reform in 2023

State legislatures in 2022 focused on increasing affordable housing within their respective regions. The trend of state legislatures preempting zoning reform is expected to continue in 2023 across the country.