Great Places. You know them when you see them — but how do they become great? All the decisions we make influence the quality of our neighborhoods, streets, and public spaces.
APA's flagship program celebrates places of exemplary character, quality, and planning. Places are selected annually and represent the gold standard in terms of having a true sense of place, cultural and historical interest, community involvement, and a vision for tomorrow.
APA Great Places offer better choices for where and how people work and live. They are enjoyable, safe, and desirable. They are places where people want to be — not only to visit, but to live and work every day. America's truly great streets, neighborhoods and public spaces are defined by many criteria, including architectural features, accessibility, functionality, and community involvement.
Click on the logo to see this year's designees.
See a list of the 2007-2012 Great Places in America by state
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Fall River, Massachusetts
Lower Highlands and Historic Downtown
Baltimore, Maryland
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Salisbury, North Carolina
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Memphis, Tennessee
Salt Lake City, Utah
Seattle, Washington
Walla Walla, Washington
Key West, Florida
Kansas City, Missouri
Bozeman, Montana
Kingston, New York
New York, New York
Saratoga Springs, New York
Cleveland, Shaker Heights, and Beachwood, Ohio
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Charleston, South Carolina
Knoxville, Tennessee
Mobile, Alabama
Sacramento, California
Denver, Colorado
Chicago, Illinois
Glencoe, Illinois
New Orleans, Louisiana
Bar Harbor, Maine
Portland, Oregon
Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park
Houston, Texas
Huntington, West Virginia
What Makes a Great Place?Probably we all can think of a street, neighborhood, or public place that is unique or memorable, but what makes it special? What elements combine to produce a place that not only works for people in the community but rises far above the ordinary?
APA's selection guidelines will be considered in addition to other important factors such as geography, population, demographics, and setting (urban, suburban, rural). Consider these guidelines not as a checklist of "must-haves," but rather as important principles from which we will base our judgments.
Characteristics and Guidelines of Great Neighborhoods
 | Celebrate Your Great Place |
Bronze Plaques for Great Places |  |
Know of a Neighborhood, Street, or Public Space you think merits designation as a Great Place in America? Suggest it today!
Get all the details and download a nomination form
Members of the APA Board of Directors and AICP Commission are not eligible to submit a Great Places nomination during their term of office.
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