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.