A highlight of the APA's National Planning Conference every year—the presentation of the National Planning Excellence and Achievement Awards.
This year's 2015 National Planning Excellence and Achievement Awards winners were announced on March 31, 2015, with local media attention already earned by Vibrant NEO 2040 award winner for a Comprehensive Plan in Northeast Ohio.
The award presentation at this year's national conference was of particular excitement this year because HUD Secretary Julián Castro was on hand to present the event's keynote speech and present the HUD Secretary's Opportunity and Empowerment Award to Mueller Redevelopment in Secretary Castro's home state of Texas. Writing for the APA's conference blog feed, Meghan Stromberg provides insight into Keynote Speeker Castro's keynote, including his primary theme: "Collaborative planning is smart planning."
The APA site also presents a full list of both the Excellence Awards and the Achievements Awards, with links to more details about all the winners.
FULL STORY: APA Announces 2015 National Planning Award Recipients

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.

Test News Post 1
This is a summary

Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.

Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service