APA Policy Guide Development

APA develops policies that represent the collective thinking of our members, and represents a collective view on positions of both principle and practice. APA policies are developed through a thorough process of chapter and division involvement under the overall guidance of the Legislative and Policy Committee. In addition to articulating specific policies that establish principles for better addressing our issues, APA develops more specific guidelines that recommend specific actions on the part of APA members through leadership, chapters, divisions, and allied organizations that move toward an improved social and political environment for planning to play its most effective role. Together, these two elements — policies and general recommendations — form APA Policy Guides.

The process begins with the selection of a topic or issue. These topics are, for the most part, APA's Legislative Priorities. After a topic is chosen, a team of authors and reviewers is selected to produce a draft guide for review by the Legislative and Policy Committee. Once the draft guide is approved by the Legislative and Policy Committee it is sent to all APA Chapters and appropriate APA Divisions for review and comments. Comments are submitted to the Legislative and Policy Committee and a final draft is prepared for presentation at a Chapter Delegate Assembly. During the Assembly, chapter delegates make any final changes and then vote to adopt the draft guide. Once the guide is adopted, it is forwarded to the APA Board of Directors for ratification.

Draft Policy Guide on Planning and Climate Change

The 2008 National Delegate Assembly will consider a new policy guide on planning and climate change. Members are invited to provide comments and input on the draft. Climate change is a significant challenge facing communities and planners. The guide aims to identify the necessary local, state, and federal policy changes required to plan successfully for climate change mitigation and adaptation. Send comments to govtaffairs@planning.org by April 25, 2008.

Click here to read the draft policy guide

Adopted Policies

Agricultural Land Preservation
Billboard Controls
Community and Regional Food Planning
Community Residences
Endangered Species and Habitat Protection
Energy
Environment: Waste Management
Environment: Water Resources Management
Environment: Wetlands
Factory Built Housing
Historic and Cultural Resources
Homelessness
Housing
Impact Fees
Neighborhood Collaborative Planning
Planning for Sustainability
Provision of Childcare
Redevelopment
Security
Smart Growth
The Supply of Public and Subsidized Housing
Surface Transportation
Takings