The need for planners to shape a community vision has never been greater. The American Planning Association brings together thousands of people — practicing planners, citizens, elected officials — committed to making great communities happen.

APA is a nonprofit public interest and research organization committed to urban, suburban, regional, and rural planning. APA and its professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners, advance the art and science of planning to meet the needs of people and society.

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Chapters
Chapters get you involved in APA close to home. They serve as your local source for networking and professional development. When you join APA, you automatically become a member of your local chapter. Most chapters hold an annual conference, educational workshops, AICP exam preparation courses, and produce a newsletter. Many chapters also conduct legislative programs, sponsor planning commissioner training workshops, and conduct public information campaigns.

Students
About 7,000 of APA's 43,000 members are students. Student members receive all the benefits of APA membership at a reduced dues rate. Students are active in APA Chapters, participate in APA governance through the Student Representatives Council, and meet and exchange ideas on campuses through Planning Student Organizations.

AICP
The American Institute of Certified Planners is APA's professional institute. AICP leads the way in requirements for certification of professional planners, ethics, professional development, planning education, and the standards of practice.

APA News and Features
Read all about noteworthy American Planning Association events, publications, initiatives, and people.

L'Enfant Lecture on City Planning and Design
APA and the National Building Museum have established an annual lecture to draw attention to critical issues in city and regional planning in the United States.

Document Center
Download major planning and APA research documents, all from one page.

Divisions
APA Divisions offer members an opportunity to join others with common interests and provide a wide variety of activities and services to their members. Every division publishes a newsletter, and all divisions organize sessions for APA's National Planning Conferences. They also hold their own annual meetings and cooperate with APA chapters and other groups in conferences and workshops. Anyone may join any number of APA's divisions. Members of APA enjoy reduced division dues.

Leadership
The American Planning Association is governed by volunteer leaders elected or selected from the ranks of its members. Leadership includes a 13-member Board of Directors, the eight members of the AICP Commission, the Chapter Presidents Council, the Divisions Council, Student Representatives Council, and a number of committees and task forces.

APA Planning Awards
APA celebrates people across the country working to make great communities happen. Each year we ask you to help us by nominating the best plans, projects, and people in your community for a National Planning Award.

APA Senior Staff
Read about the responsibilities of the APA and AICP senior staff in the organization's Chicago and Washington, D.C., offices.

APA and Diversity
Planners, students, citizens, and officials: Learn more about how planning and diversity intersect with one another. The field of planning is deeply rooted in advocating for equity, reform, and justice in all communities. APA and its members carry that tradition on through innovative planning, programs, and research designed to reflect America's diversity.