2006 National Planning Award Winners and Planning Pioneers

The American Planning Association has announced the recipients of its 2006 National Planning and AICP Planning Pioneer Awards, which recognize the role of outstanding individual contributions and cutting-edge achievements in the planning field and how these efforts help create communities of lasting value.

Award recipients were honored at a special awards luncheon April 25, 2006, at APA's 2006 National Planning Conference in San Antonio. Several other awards also were presented at ceremonies in San Antonio, including the Secretary's Opportunity and Empowerment Award, which is given in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

AICP National Planning Pioneer Award
Frederick H. Bair Jr. (in memoriam, 1915-2005)
Much of today's planning theory and practice is based on the writings and experience of Frederick H. Bair Jr., author of The Text of a Model Zoning Ordinance. Much of the current zoning for mobile and manufactured homes, recreational equipment storage, trailer and truck rentals, signage, and other issues is based on his work. He also refined the land-use intensity system, which he first adapted to Norfolk, Virginia. Besides writing three editions of Model Zoning, he wrote commentaries for Land Use Law & Zoning Digest, was a founder of the Florida Planning and Zoning Association (1950), and practiced professionally, first with the Florida Development Commission and then as an independent consultant at his own firm, Bair & Abernathy.

Distinguished Leadership Award for a Citizen Planner
Ruth Lansford (Los Angeles)
In 1978, when owners of a local wetland sought to develop the land, Ruth Lansford took action and formed Friends of Ballona Wetlands. That led Lansford to embark on a nearly three-decade-long journey to protect this unique wildlife habitat. Today, Lansford represents the Friends group on the Ballona Wetlands Committee, which is responsible for the planning and decision making associated with the site. The committee has created a plan that will restore habitat, combat pollution, control flooding, and provide educational and recreational opportunities.

Distinguished Leadership Award for an Elected Official
Veletta Forsythe Lill (Dallas)
During her eight years on the Dallas City Council, Veletta Lill effectively articulated the importance of land use and historic preservation policies and was instrumental in the development of the city's first comprehensive plan. Lill also pushed for neighborhood conservation districts, fought for historic structures, and helped keep alive the vision of a downtown arts district. Combining a sure grasp of the facts with a keen understanding of the bigger picture, she built support and secured funding for many important planning-related projects.

National Social Advocacy Award (in honor of Paul Davidoff)
Marva Smith Battle-Bey (Los Angeles)
In an area hit hard by commercial disinvestments, one woman is leading the charge to bring retail back to the inner city. Marva Smith Battle-Bey fought to ensure that residents of South Central Los Angeles do not have to leave their neighborhood to shop and dine. As president and CEO of the Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation, she recently convinced the Mexico-based Gigante supermarket chain to open its third Los Angeles store in that part of the city shaken by rioting and civil unrest in the early 1990s.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary's Opportunity and Empowerment Award
Neighborhoods in Bloom (Richmond, Virginia)
Since 2001 the Neighborhoods in Bloom program has helped restore and revitalize six deteriorating neighborhoods in Richmond, Virginia. Besides older home rehabilitation and new house construction, building codes are aggressively enforced and infrastructure improvements are undertaken in order to help stabilize participating neighborhoods. To improve area stability, the program focuses on community leadership, public safety, homeownership, and blight removal. A Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond study of the six revitalized neighborhoods in 2005 found that crime decreased 19 percent compared with 6 percent citywide, and housing prices appreciated nearly 10 percent faster than the city's average.

Outstanding Planning Award for a Plan
2040 Regional Framework Plan (Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission)
A new vision, articulated in the 2040 Regional Framework Plan developed by the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission, is helping to guide decision making in a six-county, three-state region. The vision seeks to accommodate anticipated growth in an efficient, coordinated, and sustainable manner. Use of current technology was instrumental in developing the plan, including instant polling, which helped gauge the level of agreement on various issues, and "Paint the Region," a software program that allowed participants to map their desired future. (To integrate planning for transportation and land use, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) was created by merging the staffs of the Chicago Area Transportation Study [CATS] and the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission [NIPC]. CMAP serves the counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will. Click here for more information.)

Outstanding Planning Award for a Special Community Initiative
West Chelsea/High Line Plan (New York City)
A newly adopted special zoning district on Manhattan's West Side is transforming a light manufacturing and commercial area into a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood complete with affordable housing options and public open space along a 1.5-mile abandoned elevated rail line. To preserve light, air, and views around the proposed linear park, underlying landowners are able to transfer their floor area to "receiving sites" where residential development now is permitted.

Outstanding Planning Award for Implementation
South Livermore Valley Specific Plan (Livermore, California)
Faced with the potential loss of thousands of acres of prime agricultural land in the heart of an active wine-producing region, the City of Livermore has created an innovative conservation mechanism to curb sprawl and permanently protect the community's vineyards. For each residential unit or acre of land developed under the plan, an acre must be planted and placed under permanent agricultural easement. The plan also establishes new patterns of development at the urban edge to ease the transition from urban to rural.

Outstanding Planning Award for a Project/Program/Tool
(two recipients)

Iowa's Living Roadways Community Visioning Program (Ames, Iowa)
More than 100 small towns have improved the appearance of local roads with the help of this innovative visioning program. The program, developed and implemented by Iowa State University, supplies a professional design consultant and university students who use surveys, visitor-employed photography, and resource mapping to help residents define the major influences that shape the community and its transportation needs. The community then visualizes alternative solutions to transportation issues with a consulting planner studying the options and presents implementation strategies.

Shoreline Stabilization Handbook (St. Albans, Vermont)
With little information available to them, property owners along Lake Champlain often employ structural solutions that inadvertently exacerbate erosion rather than stem it. The Shoreline Stabilization Handbook provides a wealth of information and range of options to governments and citizens alike. The user-friendly handbook not only defines the issues, but evaluates 19 erosion control and stabilization techniques. It enhances decision making by exploring solutions in light of environmental impacts, economics, and permitting considerations.

Current Topic Award: Housing Choice and Affordability
Highland Park Affordable Housing Initiatives (Highland Park, Illinois)
With new homes exceeding $1 million, this community embarked on a two-year planning process designed to increase housing options. Steps include establishing a demolition tax and a community land trust, as well as adopting an inclusionary zoning ordinance. As a result opportunities to develop affordable housing in the community have been greatly increased.

Public Education Award
Amherst and Clarence Youth Planning Project (Amherst and Clarence, New York)
Developed in accordance with New York State Learning Standards, this youth planning project shows how seamlessly planning and community development can be incorporated into existing curriculums at all grade levels. With the towns about to embark on the update of their comprehensive plans, officials wanted to encourage students to participate in the planning process. By linking the classroom component to the ongoing planning effort, students and teachers were presented with exciting opportunities to apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations.

Daniel Burnham Award
The Los Angeles Conservancy (Los Angeles)
Historic treasures, when overlooked, are often lost forever. For the past quarter century, the Los Angeles Conservancy has dedicated itself to the protection of these assets. In Los Angeles County, historic preservation is up to local governments, many of which have neither the expertise nor financial wherewithal. The conservancy provides information, technical assistance and, when appropriate, public testimony in support of preservation efforts. Since its inception in 1978, the 9,000-member conservancy has intervened in hundreds of cases.

2006 Legislators of the Year
U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu (D–La.)
Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1996, Sen. Landrieu has been a vocal supporter of coastal wetland restoration programs and the Land and Water Conservation Fund. In 2005, she sponsored the Americans Outdoors Act to help states and local communities plan and create places that foster increased physical activity. She also sponsored legislation establishing the Louisiana Recovery Corporation to help residents rebuild in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, advocating a comprehensive approach to recovery.

2006 Legislators of the Year
U.S. Representative Curt Weldon (R–Pa.)
A member of Congress for nearly 20 years, Rep. Weldon has been a leader on a variety of issues including community safety, education, and the environment. Last year he coauthored the Oceans Conservation, Education and National Strategy for the 21st Century Act (Oceans 21). He also cosponsored the Safe Communities Act of 2005, which would provide grants to communities to address disaster mitigation and emergency preparedness issues through local comprehensive plans. In 2005 he also worked to secure funds for acquiring land slated for residential development within Valley Forge National Park.

APA President's Meritorious Service Award
Fernando Costa, AICP
Fernando Costa helped keep planning in the forefront of hurricane recovery discussions in New Orleans. He led APA's six-member volunteer New Orleans Planning Assessment Team that evaluated the city's planning capacity and needs. The team produced a report with recommendations for enhancing the planning process in New Orleans. He also was a representative of the planning profession on Mayor Nagin's Bring New Orleans Back Commission. Costa also is co-chair of APA's Diversity Subcommittee, which is working to implement a variety of initiatives within APA to enhance membership diversity.

AICP President's Award
Mark Bernhard, Pennsylvania State University, University Park
Al Zelinka, AICP, Urban Design Studio, RBF Consulting, Irvine, California
The New Partners for Smart Growth: Building Safe, Healthy and Livable Communities conference has been a successful partnership involving Pennsylvania State University, the Local Government Commission, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The idea and impetus for this conference came from two individuals and friends: Mark Bernhard and Al Zelinka. In 1998 they began discussing the idea of a national conference focusing on crime prevention, planning, and livable communities. Three years later, after many discussions, much work, and the contributions of many others, the first conference was held in San Diego. It attracted 525 participants. Today the conference, held in January, draws between 900 and 1,200 attendees — proof of what can result when individuals follow through on their vision to make a difference and be catalysts for positive change.

Chapter Presidents Council Karen B. Smith Chapter Awards
Overall Chapter Achievement Award
New York Metro Chapter
Waterfront redevelopment, urban parks, transportation capital improvements, environmental issues, housing—whatever the issue, if it has to do with planning in metropolitan New York City and surrounding areas of Long Island and the Hudson River Valley, it's likely the New York Metro Chapter is involved. During the past year fostering interdisciplinary collaborations with other civic and professional groups has been a priority. Through the New York New Visions umbrella organization, for example, the chapter advised the city on rebuilding Lower Manhattan. Other New York Metro collaborations have focused on the West Harlem waterfront, Greenwich and Fulton Street corridor plans, the proposed Metropolitan Transportation Authority Transportation Center, and redevelopment of Hudson Yards in midtown Manhattan and Governor's Island. During 2005 the chapter also increased its membership and expanded its communication efforts in addition to its regular activities and programs including member networking opportunities, professional development conferences, and training for the AICP examination.

Divisions Council Awards
Division Achievement
Transportation Planning Division
During 2005, the Transportation Planning Division, guided by the leadership and efforts of those members listed below, continued efforts to engage volunteers, encourage collaboration with other divisions, and work with organizations not previously allied with the American Planning Association. Among other things, the Division continued its Airport in the Region initiative, begun in 2004, and undertook a membership campaign, "2,006 by 2006." Charles W. Blanton, AICP; Lawrence J. Fabian; A. Ruth Fitzgerald, AICP; Lawrence C. Lennon, AICP; Hilary E. H. Perkins, AICP; Ruth L. Steiner.

Divisions Council Awards
Division Special Project
New Urbanism Division
Through extensive collaboration and the leadership of those members listed below, the division produced New Urbanism: An Introduction to provide Division members with an effective tool showing the benefits of New Urbanism development patterns. Ramond A. Chiaramonte, AICP; Nathan Bilger; Terry S. Wendt, AICP; Marie L. York, AICP

Divisions Council Awards
Individual Achievement
Christopher J. Steins
For his contributions and leadership while chairing the Information Technology Division, including expansion of the Division's executive committee, improvement of communications, development of an awards program, and adoption of a 10-point Division plan.

AICP Student Project Award — Application of the Planning Process
"Pioneering Palmer's Future: Strategies for Managing Growth"
University of Washington, College of Architecture and Urban Planning
The student team produced a comprehensive, complementary set of planning recommendations to preserve and enhance Palmer, Alaska's small-town character and historic agricultural resources while guiding future area-wide growth and spurring economic health. The synthesis document, Pioneering Palmer's Future, presented nine integrated recommendations in a highly accessible, compelling format.

Click here for details of the project

Click here for the project website

AICP Student Project Award — Contemporary Issue
"Otsego Land Trust Land Conservation Plan"
Cornell University, Department of City and Regional Planning
Fourteen Master's in Regional Planning students participated in a workshop to assist the Otsego Land Trust, (OLT) a nonprofit conservation organization, by creating a land conservation plan to guide the land trust's conservation efforts. Students researched the demographic changes taking place across Otsego County, New York; designed criteria to select land conservation projects that reflect the land trust's mission; and created tools to prioritize the landscape for proactive conservation.

Click here for details of the project

Click here for the project website

APA Journalism Awards
Large Newspapers (circulation above 100,000)
The Times-Picayune, New Orleans
In "Ruin and Recovery," the Times-Picayune cast a wide net to answer the hundreds of questions facing New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Among other things, the newspaper sent teams of reporters to other places that had faced, and recovered from, catastrophic natural disasters including four U.S. cities, Japan, and the Netherlands.

APA Journalism Awards
Medium Newspapers (circulation between 50,000 and 100,000)
The East Valley Tribune, Phoenix
Growth and development is the story of the 450-square-mile East Valley, the fastest growing part of the Phoenix metropolitan area. In compiling "The Speculators," the East Valley Tribune delved into public records in order to learn who the wheelers and dealers are—and how they put together their deals.

APA Journalism Awards
Small Newspapers (circulation under 50,000)
Lawrence Journal-World, Lawrence, Kansas
Must a community go to wrack and ruin when it grows, or can it retain its unique character? That is the question addressed in a special section, "Mapping the Future."

Journal of the American Planning Association Award
Best Article
"Planning Styles in Conflict: The Metropolitan Transportation Commission," Spring 2005.
Judith E. Innes, University of California, Berkeley
Judith Gruber (deceased), University of California, Berkeley
Based on a five-year study of the San Francisco Bay Area Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the authors analyze the conditions, differing planning styles, and obstacles hindering more collaboration among transportation planning agencies. The article is illuminating not only for planning students, but also for practicing planners who want to better understand why their plans are not always accepted by colleagues, politicians, and the public.