1. Home
  2. Knowledge Center
  3. APA Publications

Planning Magazine

Because great communities don't just happen

Tools

Dip Your Toe into AI with These 3 Low-Stakes LLMs

Open-weight language models let planners experiment on their own computers, with more control over data privacy, costs, and customization.

November 05, 2026

By David Wasserman, AICP

Open-weight language models let planners experiment on their own computers, with more control over data privacy, costs, and customization.

Recent Articles

Intersections
How Scranton Is Using Traffic Calming to Revitalize Its Downtown
October 29, 2026
Tools
The Words We Choose: Why Being Right and Effective Aren’t the Same
October 22, 2026
Tools
Why You Can’t ‘Just Say No’ to Data Centers
Voices
Cities Can Be ‘Messy.’ This Planner Thinks That’s a Good Thing.
October 13, 2026

Innovations

Transportation
As Robotaxis Arrive, Cities Face a New Transportation Challenge
Engagement
Can a 'Year Without Dots' Lead to Better Community Engagement?
Economic Development
Do You Know Who’s Financing Your Next Big Project?
Housing
Did the Montana Miracle Answer the State’s Housing Prayers?
Transportation
What Happens to EVs When Washington Backs Out? Ask Rolling Meadows.
See more Innovations articles

Tools

Tech
Dip Your Toe into AI with These 3 Low-Stakes LLMs
Career
The Words We Choose: Why Being Right and Effective Aren’t the Same
Land Use
Why You Can’t ‘Just Say No’ to Data Centers
Housing
These Creative Programs Open Doors to Affordable Homeownership
Infrastructure
Beyond the Ban: Designing the Third Spaces Teens Need
See more Tools articles

Intersections

Transportation
How Scranton Is Using Traffic Calming to Revitalize Its Downtown
Policy
The ROAD Ahead: Turning Federal Housing Reform into Local Action
Climate
What Tourism Looks Like in a Climate-Impacted World
Tech
Your Online Public Engagement is Under Attack from AI
Housing
Mold, No AC, and Damaged Roofs: Cities Grapple with Corporate Homeownership
See more Intersections articles

Voices

Transportation
Cities Can Be ‘Messy.’ This Planner Thinks That’s a Good Thing.
APA Member Content
Perspectives
AI Doesn’t Change What Planners Stand For
Viewpoint
Where Are We Going and How Will We Know We Are There?
Viewpoint
How to Give Traffic Deaths the Attention They Deserve
Plan To Watch
When Cities Were Built for Childhood
See more Voices articles
Sign up for Planning emails

Receive Planning featured articles and recent content in your inbox

Subscribe
Planning magazine image
Download Planning Magazine

Access the most recent issue. Download the digital version now.

Log in to download
Additional Resources About Contributor Guidelines Previous Editions Advertise with APA