The American Planning Association took to Washington, D.C. recently to seek support for legislative actions that will enable the planning efforts of the next few years.
"In 125 meetings with congressional offices representing 25 states, APA members and advocates for good planning fanned out across Capitol Hill on September 29 to talk about transportation, parks, public health, and funding for vital local projects," according to a post by Jason Jordan, director of policy and government affairs for the American Planning Association.
Jordan notes the timeliness of the effort, given pending legislation regarding "federal surface transportation programs, the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), and annual appropriations for key infrastructure and community development programs."
According to Jordan, the planners in attendace were seeking support on three primary "asks":
- Pass a multi-year, sustainably funded transportation bill
- Reauthorize and fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund
- Maintain support for critical programs like CDBG, HOME and TIGER, that benefit community and economic development
The article includes more on the goals for the APA's advocacy and some anecdotes from the day.
FULL STORY: Planners Carry the Message in Annual Trip to Capitol Hill
Year in Review: The APA's Advocacy Work in Washington, D.C.
The APA noted that the 115th Congress was "marked by divisive rhetoric, partisan stalemates, and threats to programs on which local communities rely." At the end of the year, however, it could still celebrate substantial victories.
Planners Call for Deep Police Reforms
A letter signed by over 600 planners calls on the American Planning Association to advocate for fundamental police reforms, in other words, to defund the police.
Strategic Action for Affordable Housing: How Advocacy Organizations Accomplish Policy Change
Anaid Yerena of the University of Washington, Tacoma writes about a recent article she authored in the Journal of Planning Education and Research.
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