Mission Statement
The stated mission of the Small Towns and Rural Planning Division is to improve
planning in small communities and rural areas. The division's work focuses
on protecting natural resources and increasing technical services to planning
commissioners. It strives to strengthen communications among small town and
rural planners as well as with those in more urbanized areas.
The objectives and purposes of the STaR Division are as follows:
- Initiate, monitor, evaluate, and/or advocate local, state, and national
legislation that involves the planning for small towns and rural areas;
- Advance technical knowledge and professional development in the small
town and rural area planning field through the preparation of special reports
and technical papers;
- Serve as a clearinghouse for and promote efforts in small town and rural
area planning research;
- Provide forums for the exchange of information among small town and rural
area planning;
- Establish liaisons and working relationships with other professional organizations,
such as public administrators, community developers, environmental designers,
educators, and social scientists who are concerned with planning issues;
- Disseminate information on small town and rural area planning issues to
the larger planning profession nationally and at the chapter and section
levels, and promote the integration of small town and rural area planning
concerns into other planning activities;
- Encourage efforts towards professional small town and rural area planning
education and the continued advancement of professionals working in the field;
and
- Encourage the efforts of professionals to educate the public concerning
small town and rural area planning issues.
We encourage you to join the Small Town and Rural Planning Division today.
