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Projects
Last Update: August 3, 2006 The American Planning Association, Technology Division, in partnership with the University of Louisville and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), with additional sponsorship from Urban Insight, Inc., is conducting this first-ever national survey regarding the use of Internet technologies in planning agencies of U.S. cities with a population of 25,000 or greater (N=1,247).
"The web has rapidly changed the world of business, but government has consistently lagged behind," says Chris Steins, Technology Division Chair. "In an effort to evaluate the use of Internet technology for government applications, this survey examines the adoption of Internet technologies as the vehicle for local government practice, specifically within the field of urban planning." The emergence of Internet technology has created tremendous opportunities for improving the role of good government, specifically in the form of increased information, interaction with the public, and more cost-effective and efficient means of conducting public business transactions. The study will survey and analyze the content of local planning agencies' websites and their adoption of various other technologies. Through the development of a new methodological instrument and a systematic approach to analyzing the use of technology, the research will have implications for a wide range of government activity that is conducted online. The results are being used to "benchmark" the state of technology utilization in planning agencies in the U.S., something that has not yet been done. The information collected and the ensuing research will be invaluable in helping other practitioners and researchers gain a clearer understanding of the role and impact of the web on planning practice. The survey will be repeated every other year. The results of the study were slated for publishing in the ICMA Municipal Yearbook in March 2005 and then in 2005 in the Journal of the American Planning Association (JAPA). They are also available by clicking here. Coordinator Press Information
Last Update: October 25, 2004 The Technology Division is developing a report on the skills, knowledge, and experience required to be a "technology-proficient planner." The Internet and other technologies such as GIS and computer visualization have rapidly changed the way planning is conducted and the way planners interact with the public and elected officials. In an effort to identify the core technical skills that companies and schools of planning should consider offering, the APA Information Technology Division has assembled a survey of planners, educators, students, and practitioners that seek to identify the set of core technical skills required to be a successful "technology-oriented" planner. An initial draft of the report is scheduled to be complete by February 2005. Coordinator
Last Update: November 30, 2004 The Technology Division is pleased to announce the formation of the first of a series of special interest groups focused on specific issues of interest to the division, APA, and the technology industry. The Telecommunications Special Interest Group (TSIG) seeks to create a linkage between the public/private planning profession and the telecommunications industry through collaboration with PCIA (www.pcia.com), the Wireless Infrastructure Association. PCIA represents companies that develop, own, manage, and operate towers, commercial rooftops, and other facilities for the provision of all types of wireless, broadcasting, and telecommunications services. Interested division members should contact: Coordinator
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