The American Planning Association: Bringing Communities Together

The American Planning Association (APA) is a professional and educational nonprofit institute that provides leadership in the development of vital communities through the provision of support across the fields of city and regional planning in the United States. The mission of the American Planning Association is to empower citizens to promote growth by using the tools and support necessary to meet the growth of the 21st century in their respective communities. APA emerged as a result of the consolidation of the American Institute of Planners and the American Society of Planning Officials on October 1st, 1978, through an overwhelming majority vote of approval. The founding principles of the APA is focused upon the institution of such organization “for charitable, educational, literary and scientific purposes to advance the art and science of planning and the activity of planning” whether that’d be in the form of physical, economic, and or social aspects at the local, regional, state and national levels (“APA at a Glance”). The APA has approximately 20 divisions and 47 chapters throughout 47 different states in the United States.

The American Planning Association has roots that can be dated back to 1909. In 1909, the first National Conference on City Planning in Washington, D.C. took place, and subsequent conferences emerged to institutionalize and certify professionals in the disciplinary nature. As such, in 1917, eight years after the first national conference, the American City Planning Institute formed, which was then renamed to the Institute of Planners in 1939. Much interest was generated from the institution of professional organization of planning through one single entity, and as such, attracted attention worldwide. The planning movement, henceforth, has resulted in a growth reaching 40,000 U.S. members that accounts for more than 15,000 professional, certified planners.

The divisions and chapters of the APA allow members to connect with local sources and professional networking opportunities closer to home. The divisions range from the production of newsletters and special publications, develop conference sessions, collaborate with related organizations, toward making meaningful contributions to policy work. The twenty divisions allow members to engage in a field that is of interest to them, which includes, but is not limited to, city and/or county/federal planning and management, economic development, environmental and resource planning, housing and community development, technology, urban design, transportation, and etc. Most of the 47 APA chapters render members educational workshops, AICP exam preparation courses, newsletters, and available participation in legislative programs, sponsor planning commissioner training workshops, and conduct public information campaigns. APA also aids commissioners, organizations, and professionals that provide consultation and education.

Since the American Planning Association is a non-profit educational organization, there are no direct authoritative bodies except for the Board of Directors that oversee the operations of the institution. There are thirteen members and three advisors that comprise the governing body, the Board of Directors, of the American Planning Association. The Board of Directors also directs the broad policies set for the Association and its affairs, including daily operations managed by APA staff members and matters relating to the Chapters, Divisions, and students affiliated with the organization. Board members serve four-year terms, where half of the board is elected biennially, and these members serve on a staggered term basis.

One of the mottos of the American Planning Association is to measure their success by the successes of their members and the communities they serve. The organization is considered an educational nonprofit institution and hence, distributes and upholds educational and networking opportunities through annual conferences, educational materials, and workshops. APA’s National Planning Conference is held every spring in major cities in the United States where members and interested parties, including students, planners, local officials, and other professionals can learn the latest in city and regional, community planning.

The national planning conference is not the only way in which APA manifests its mission in delivering planning insights to its members. Other activities, such as chapter conferences, training workshops, audio/web conferences and lessons, the Federal Policy & Program Briefing, international study tours, the L'Enfant Lecture on City Planning and Design, etc., also provide critical updates to the planning world to members of APA. Member benefits of APA also include discounts on planner press books, training packages, eligible medical, auto, and life insurance, etc. insurance programs. Most importantly, it offers its students and members valuable social networking opportunities that can lead to tangible gains in career advancement.

The American Planning Association also has wide-ranging responsibilities that range from AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) certification, legislative responsibilities through advocacy, to participating in philanthropic activities. The AICP certification allows for APA members who meet certain education and experience requirements to pass a written examination that would certify them and as qualified for the standards of planning practice. The exam for the AICP certification is executed twice annually, in May and November of each year. The APA Foundation, another 501(c)3 organization formed in the American Planning Association, operates philanthropic activities that the American Planning Association has supported for years, including distribution of scholarships and community equity programs, and as well as new initiatives like special research projects. Some of the branches that are funded by the APA Foundation are Price Scholarship Fund, Post-Disaster Planning Fund, Community Planning Assistance Teams, and Education programs.

Agendas that are in focus at the APA are often defined and explored in the national planning conferences that are upheld each year, in Atlanta for the year 2014. Current agenda of the American Planning Association for the year 2014 include emerging areas of planning that touches on topics such as clinics for emerging planners, challenges and opportunities with a global real estate portfolio, the HUD Choice Neighborhoods Initiatives, and sustainable approaches in zoning codes and urban development. Branches of the APA, such as the green team, contribute to the development and exploration of current agendas. The green team tackles issues such as consumption of energy, natural resources, and manufactured materials (“APA at a Glance”). In more detail, the APA’s green team also analyzes its contributions to greenhouse gas emissions, other air and water pollution, and landfills.

The American Planning Association is constantly looking for more ways to incorporate environmental and social responsibility that increases social equity and advance public interest in the 21st century worldwide in the planning disciplines. The APA are leaders of a planning movement that champion planning excellence that addresses economic, environmental, and equity issues through accountability and transparency in governing the actions of the participating members and extending education efforts. Values governing the APA, and actions of the APA, ensure the quality of planning organizations and partnerships of APA uphold the same principles of sustainability, inclusion, and nondiscrimination standards. Such efforts allow for a more empowered community and educated public that develop vital communities.

Work Cited

American Planning Association (2013). APA at a Glance. Retrieved November 24, 2013, from http://www.planning.org/apaataglance/