2024 Trend Report for Planners
By Petra Hurtado, PhD, Sagar Shah, PhD, AICP, Joseph DeAngelis, AICP, Ievgeniia Dulko, Senna Catenacci, Scarlet Andrzejczak
APA Foresight helps planners navigate change and prepare for an uncertain future. With foresight in mind, planners can guide change, create more sustainable and equitable outcomes, and establish themselves as critical to thriving communities. Foresight is not about predicting the future — it is about understanding drivers of change that are outside of our control, how we can prepare for them, and when it is time to act. APA Foresight identifies emerging trends and how scenarios stemming from each may impact the world, our communities, and the planning profession in the years to come.
This is the third Trend Report for Planners developed by the American Planning Association (APA) in partnership with the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. As in previous years, the 2024 Trend Report features a list of over 100 existing, emerging, and potential future trends that the APA Foresight team, together with our Trend Scouting Foresight Community, identified as relevant to planning. The trends are structured within three timeframes (Act Now, Prepare, Learn, and Watch), which indicate the urgency of planners’ actions. Within each timeframe, trends are grouped into themed clusters. For each trend, the report gives insights and explains why it is important for planners to know about and consider the trend in their work. All trends and signals are based on facts and are neutrally described without judgement.
The purpose of the report is to share potential drivers of change and shifts that will possibly impact the work of planners and/or the communities we serve as planners.
This report was developed in partnership with the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.
Details
About the Authors
Petra Hurtado, PhD
<p>Petra (Stieninger) Hurtado is the Director of Research and Foresight at the American Planning Association, heading APA’s research programs and foresight practice. In this role, she is responsible for expanding a future-focused research agenda, advancing planning practices that assist communities in navigating change, and developing APA's foresight practice to inform APA's strategic governance. Petra has a Ph.D. in urban planning from the Vienna University of Technology. Her areas of expertise and research include strategic foresight, urban futures, urban sustainability, smart cities, emerging technologies, nature-based solutions, and environmental psychology. Prior to joining APA, she worked as an advisor, planner, researcher, and educator in the global urban sustainability arena. Petra has authored and co-authored multiple books, research papers, publicly funded reports, and articles and has presented as a keynote speaker at numerous conferences around the globe. She is an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland and at the Vienna University of Technology. </p>
Sagar Shah, PhD, AICP
Sagar Shah, Senior Manager of Knowledge and Career Programs at the American Planning Association, is a prominent advocate for health equity in planning. He collaborates with foundations and federal agencies to shape planning practices and is an active member of APA’s Foresight Team, focusing on emerging technologies like AI. Sagar leads APA's 'Upskill Planners' initiative, equipping professionals for a dynamic future. He shares his expertise on national and international stages and contributes to the field through published research and book chapters. Sagar holds a PhD in Regional Development Planning and a Master’s in Planning.
Joseph DeAngelis, AICP
Joseph DeAngelis, AICP, is a planner and research manager at the American Planning Association, where he focuses on climate adaptation, natural hazard risk, and community resilience. He holds a Master of Urban Planning degree from CUNY-Hunter College.
Ievgeniia Dulko
Zhenia Dulko is a planner, researcher, and educator with over eight years of experience in planning and urban management. She serves as a foresight manager at the American Planning Association, where she contributes to the APA Foresight Program and the Trend Report for Planners creation.
Senna Catenacci
Senna is a graduate of the University of Michigan with degrees in Environment and Political Science, and currently works at the American Planning Association. She conducts research for APA's grant-funded projects and Foresight initiative, primarily in helping with the development of the annual Trend Report.
Scarlet Andrzejczak
Scarlet Andrzejczak is a Research Associate at the American Planning Association. Her specialties and interests include hazard mitigation, habitat restoration, resilience planning, artificial intelligence, and planning for equitable health outcomes. Scarlet obtained a Master of Community Planning degree and Graduate Urban Design certificate from University of Cincinnati in 2023.
Table of Contents
The Framework
About this report
About the American Planning Association, and the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
Contributors
Methodology
APA's Trend Universe
The Trends We Need to Act on Now
The AI Era
Looming Climate Impacts and Adaptation Challenges
Climate Mitigation: Skilled Workers, Tech, and Policies
Housing Challenges and Solutions
Political Polarization and Societal Division
Persisting Transportation Inequities
The Value of Youth
The Trends We Need to Prepare For
Global Dynamics and a New Economic Landscape
Immersive City for and by the People
The Future of Jobs
Moving toward a Polycrisis
Emerging Forms of Transportation
The Continuing Evolution of Work and Retail
The Trends We Need to Learn and Watch
Innovations in the Energy Sector
Mitigating Climate Change through Geoengineering
Curiosities and Game Changing Innovations
The New SpaceUpskilling: Planning Competencies and
Skills
PlanTech
Conclusion
The Future of Planning
Upskilling: Planning Competencies and Skills
PlanTech
Conclusion