FutureShape
What Is FutureShape?
FutureShape, a signature cause of the APA Foundation, is focused on creating the first peer-vetted research agenda for the planning profession.
FutureShape will collaboratively produce a research agenda for the planning profession, to be used by funders, researchers and others as a guide to prioritize research activities worldwide. The process will involve several stages of interaction between the research community and other partners, culminating in an in-person convening of academics, researchers, planners, officials, and funders to build an authoritative blueprint for the impact of planning in the 21st century.
Why Is FutureShape Important?
No research agenda currently exists for the planning profession. FutureShape presents a unique opportunity for a wide range of planners, partners, and allies to interact — with the APA Foundation facilitating critical conversations that impact the future of cities and communities.
The research agenda will instigate a wide array of research projects, at a time in which trends such as smart technology and climate change are transforming our world. This research is critical to equipping planners with the knowledge and best practices they need to position communities for the future.
Who Will Oversee FutureShape?
Comprised of a diverse mix of APA members, thought leaders, and stakeholders in planning and allied professions, FutureShape includes a Steering Committee and four Workgroups. Each workgroup and its members were selected for their deep expertise in the designated area and will provide valuable feedback and direction throughout the various research phases of the project. We thank each of these participants for their contributions and commitment to this important work.
Steering Committee and Workgroups convened in Chicago in August 2019 to begin finalizing the research agenda.
Steering Committee
Mary Kay Peck, FAICP (Chair)
MKPeck Associates
Leo Asuncion, Jr., AICP
State of Hawaii
Kurt Christiansen, FAICP
Formerly at City of Azusa
Don Elliott, FAICP
Clarion Associates
Rodger Lentz, AICP
City of Wilson
Mike McAnelly, FAICP
Texas Chapter, APA
Plans and Plan Making Workgroup
Bob Barber, FAICP (Chair)
Orion Planning + Design
Nader Afzalan, PhD
Urban Footprint
Eugenie Birch, PhD, FAICP
University of Pennsylvania
David Rouse, FAICP
American Planning Association
Chris Silver, PhD, FAICP
University of Florida
Jennifer S. Vey
Brookings Institute
Jordan Yin, PhD, AICP
Alabama A&M University
Built Environment Workgroup
Brian Campbell, FAICP (Chair)
Retired
Whit Blanton, FAICP
Forward Pinellas
Robert Cervero, PhD
University of California, Berkeley
Reid Ewing, PhD
University of Utah
Justin Moore
NYC Public Design Commission
Arthur "Chris" Nelson, FAICP
University of Arizona
Mike Sanio
American Society of Civil Engineers
Sagar Shah, PhD, AICP
American Planning Association
Plan Implementation Workgroup
Bob Mitchell, FAICP (Chair)
Robert P. Mitchell, FAICP Consulting
Tom Dallessio
Formerly at Next City
David Morley, AICP
American Planning Association
John Mullin, PhD, FAICP
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Peter Pollock, FAICP
Retired
Nancy Stroud, FAICP
Lewis, Stroud, & Deutsch
Mildred Warner
Cornell University
Environmental Management Workgroup
Peter Lowitt, FAICP (Chair)
Devens Enterprise
Armando Carbonell, FAICP
Lincoln Land Institute
Kurt Culbertson
Design Workshop
Justin Hollander, PhD, AICP
Tufts University
Laurie Johnson
Laurie Johnson Consulting
Bob Leiter, FAICP
Retired
David Rouse, FAICP
American Planning Association
Kathleen Wolf, PhD
University of Washington