Blogs

October 17, 2019

The View From Arnstein’s Ladder: The Promise of Community Control

Uncovering JAPA: Is community control — a shift of power from the government to the majority of the community — the way to address injustice faced by marginalized members of the community?

August 8, 2019

Are Bed Bugs a Planning Issue?

Uncovering JAPA: If cities want to attract new residents and planners want those residents to thrive, a coordinated response to bed bugs is necessary.

August 1, 2019

Zoning: The Cause and the Cure for High Housing Prices

Uncovering JAPA: Single-family restrictions, lot sizes restrictions, and parking requirements limit developers’ ability to build affordable housing. However, in this quandary, we may also find the solution.

July 11, 2019

Mayors Are Addressing the Housing Crisis — And Planning Is Part of the Solution

Read about the three key housing crisis takeaways for planners in the new National League of Cities Housing Task Force report, Homeward Bound.

June 13, 2019

Partnerships + Data: The Keys to Creating Change and Opportunity

One of APA's partners, Enterprise, describes its work in the arena of housing affordability and accessibility.

June 10, 2019

Expanding Equity: "Stonewall Did That For Me"

APA member Michael Levine, AICP, shares his personal experience of the 1969 Stonewall uprising.

May 21, 2019

Expanding Cottage Home: A Pioneer for Housing Affordability

Clovis, California's Cottage Home Program for affordable housing is expanding throughout the city.

April 10, 2019

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at APA, and the NPC19 Plan4Equity Forum

NPC19's Plan4Equity Forum and the Arts & Planning Group Program and Social are part of a larger and ongoing effort and commitment by APA in the areas of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

February 13, 2019

Shape APA Policy Guides on Equity, Housing, and Surface Transportation

APA members are invited to comment on draft APA policy guides on equity, housing, and surface transportation. The authors of each guide discuss the ideas behind each guide and offer tips for how to make the most of the member comment period.

January 29, 2019

Expanding California's Leadership in Diversifying the Planning Profession

What does diversity and inclusion mean to APA, the planning profession, and planners' efforts to address diversity, inclusion, and equity in planning? Hear from two planners about the road to progress in California.

October 15, 2018

This Year’s Big Planning Idea: Unlocking the Value of Land

Land value capture — the concept behind several mechanisms to finance infrastructure, affordable housing, and other key components of urban development — was rich food for thought at the 2018 Daniel Burnham Forum on Big Ideas.

October 12, 2018

Engaging APA Members to Plan for Equity

The co-chairs of APA's Social Equity and Inclusive Growth Policy Guide committee explore the development process behind the policy document due out in 2019.

October 3, 2018

Inclusionary Zoning Brings Mixed-Income Housing to D.C.’s Priciest Neighborhoods

The Washington, D.C., area has one of the highest median incomes in the country, but the city is making room for affordable housing through a mandatory, district-wide inclusionary zoning program.

July 25, 2018

Planning with Autism in Mind: A Six Feelings Framework

Ohio State University students and faculty explore ways of planning to improve the lives of individuals with autism. Learn more in the latest issue of PAS Memo.

June 11, 2018

Latest Housing and Inclusive Growth Resources from APA

Increasing housing choice and affordability, and promoting growth in an inclusive and equitable manner has been on the top of planners’ minds across the country and at APA. Here’s the latest in housing and inclusive growth resources.

June 5, 2018

State-Level Housing Action Heats Up Nationwide

Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Tennessee, and Louisiana are among the states making housing news. From inclusionary zoning to affordable housing, these states demonstrate the geographic reach and varying approaches to the housing crisis.

June 5, 2018

Efforts in Motion: Planning, Policy, and Equity

Equity remains one the most important issues facing planners today, and APA is committed to addressing the issue head on through our policy, research, and education work, including the upcoming Planning for Equity Policy Guide.

May 24, 2018

House Appropriators Maintain Some Transportation, HUD Funding Gains

The House Appropriations Committee recently approved a spending bill for transportation and housing programs that maintains some of the dramatic increases to programs made by the FY 2018 omnibus.

May 21, 2018

Fostering Social Equity: “Equity Needs to Be Normal”

How can planners foster social equity in their communities? That question drove an engaging conversation between panelists and audience members at the “Fostering Social Equity” session at NPC18 in New Orleans.

April 24, 2018

"We Have a Moment — Don't Lose It"

PolicyLink founder and CEO Angela Glover Blackwell wrapped up NPC18 with a call for attention to equity: "The fate of the nation rests on people like you."

April 3, 2018

Creating a Diversity Committee: Lessons from APA's New York Metro Chapter

Cochairs of APA's New York Metro Chapter Diversity Committee explore the committee’s origins, activities, and tips for other APA chapters who may be interested in starting their own diversity committees.

March 26, 2018

California's Urgent Search for Housing Solutions

Housing affordability challenges across the nation are some of the most pressing and controversial. Learn more about California housing legislation and the role of planners.

March 6, 2018

Equity As a Skill You Can Learn

Social equity and inclusive growth concerns are among APA's top policy priorities. Learn how you can engage in the process of creating an equity policy guide at NPC18 and beyond.

January 26, 2018

Aging in Place: Housing, Supports, Safety

Planners have the ability to create housing options that enable citizens to be independent and to thrive at all ages. One of a series of blog posts on APA's Plan4Health webinar and seminar on “Planning Livable Communities for All Ages."

January 11, 2018

HUD Extends Assessment of Fair Housing Deadline

In a controversial move, HUD issued a notice effectively suspending new fair housing planning rules until 2020. APA plans to submit comments on the action.

December 12, 2017

Bringing Food to an Aging America

This is one in a series centered on key findings in the areas of housing, transportation, engagement, health, and food access for our rapidly aging population.

December 12, 2017

Reimagining the Civic Commons

Reimagining the Civic Commons is a national initiative to foster engagement, equity, environmental sustainability, and economic development in our cities. APA members learned more about the initiative at the 2017 Policy and Advocacy Conference.

November 10, 2017

Transportation Is One Key to Livable Communities for All Ages

Transportation is highlighted in the first of a series of blog posts on APA's Plan4Health webinar and seminar on “Planning Livable Communities for All Ages."

October 10, 2017

Autonomous Vehicles Symposium Addresses Mobility for All

Eighty-five of the nation's top thinkers on autonomous and connected vehicles (AV) gathered in Washington, D.C., to discuss and plan for the impacts of AV on cities and regions.

September 26, 2017

With Technology Expanding, Inequality Rising

Ryan Avent spoke about rising inequalities in the nation in his luncheon keynote at the 2017 APA Policy and Advocacy Conference.

September 25, 2017

Solving the New Urban Crisis With Inclusiveness

Richard Florida urges a switch from from winner-take-all urbanism to urbanism-for-all at APA's Policy and Advocacy Conference.

July 14, 2017

Why We Need to Pass a Law That Funds Urban Green Spaces

Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán recently introduced the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program Act of 2017, a bill that would codify funding for the development of urban parks, green spaces, and recreational areas in communities across the country.

July 12, 2017

LGBTQ Pride Month Ends, LGBTQ Streetscapes Just Beginning

Perris Straughter of APA's LGBTQ and Planning Division examines the role planners play in communities that celebrate and strengthen LGBTQ culture through the built environment.

May 15, 2017

Aging in Place: Tools to Advance Resilience

Showcasing cross-sector partnerships and innovative strategies, this NPC17 session elevated a comprehensive community resilience framework to benefit all residents, including older adults.

May 8, 2017

Planning for Environmental Justice

At NPC17, Carlton Eley and Nora Liu identified our best weapon against environmental injustice: equitable development.

April 26: National Call-In Day for Housing and Community Development Funding

APA is calling on planners to tell your members of Congress to pass a THUD spending bill and avoid a full-year CR at FY 2016 levels. Join the national call-in day on Wednesday, April 26, 2017.

April 24, 2017

Celebrating the Success of CDBG and HOME

Community Development Programs have impacted communities all across the country, here are just a few of the many accomplishments made possible by CDBG and HOME.

April 12, 2017

Federal Programs That Foster Equitable Communities Face Uncertain Future

After 12 weeks in office, President Trump’s equity agenda remains elusive. Promoting social equity and expanded access to economic and social opportunities is one of APA's three legislative priorities.

APA Approves 2017 Legislative Priorities

APA's 2017 legislative priorities include infrastructure investment, expanding access to social and economic opportunities, and providing access to high-quality federal data.

February 3, 2017

Legislation Takes Aim at Fair Housing Plans and Federal Data

Issues of housing, social equity, and access to data are critical APA legislative and policy priorities, and APA will vigorously oppose legislation that threatens them.

December 14, 2016

Congress Departs DC After Passing Major Water Bill, Punting on Spending and Energy

APA's policy experts review the final actions of the 114th Congress.

November 18, 2016

Women in Planning: The Power of Community Engagement

Katie Lorah details her experience with civic engagement, gender, and public meetings as the Communications and Creative Strategy Director at ioby, a civic crowdfunding platform in Brooklyn, New York.

September 28, 2016

New White House Toolkit Tackles Local Barriers to Affordable Housing

A new housing development toolkit released this week by the White House showcases innovative work some communities have done to spur the production of affordable housing.