Planning and [Your Community]

What is planning?Helps guide how a community grows and develops

U.S. population expected to reach 400 million by 2043.

Considers all resident needsLooks at the “big picture”

What are the community’s current and future needs?

Examines issues from all angles Social, environmental, hazard, physical

Planning is comprehensive and community-focused, and enablesgreater choices for residents.

What is planning?

Let’s look at how planning impacts you.

How do you get to work?Do you: Drive (solo or car pool) Take mass transit Walk Bicycle Other

Where do you live?

Do you live in an: Urban setting Suburban neighborhood Rural community

What is your residence?

Stand-alone home Apartment Condominium Town house Other

Planning gives you choices

Where you want to live How you want to commute The type of house you live in Where you play or spend your

leisure time

Planning benefits your community

Maintains neighborhood character Reduces environmental impacts Provides protection from natural and man-made

disasters Preserves parks and open space Helps determine where buildings, businesses,

homes, and roads will be located (or sited)

Who are planners? Professionally educated and trained Visionaries with a comprehensive view Ability to address the challenges of growth and

change within a community Many achieve certification and advanced specialty

certification By the American Planning Association’s

professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)

Planners address challenges

Housing affordability Commute times Obesity Pollution and air quality Safety concerns

Some planning toolsComprehensive plan

Guides overall community growth and development

Zoning Classifying land uses into different ‘zones’

Design standards Set of guidelines regarding the architectural

appearance of a building

Graphic Information System (GIS) Computer-based system for generating maps Think of Google Earth

Get involved! Serve on the planning commission or attend the

meetings. Participate in forums, visioning sessions, growth

discussions in your community. Keep informed of planning issues in your

community. Join the American Planning Association (APA)—You

don’t have to a planner to be a member.

American Planning Association (APA)

Membership and education organization

Represents more than 40,000 members nationwide: Professionals, business leaders, elected officials,

citizens, students, educators

Advocates for good planning practices In communities, legislatures, and courts

Encourages engaging the entire community in planning decisions

National Community Planning Month

Annual celebration in October Celebrates the benefits of

planning in our communities Increases awareness about the

importance and need for planners and planning

This year’s theme is “Healthy Communities, Healthy People”

Visit: www.planning.org/ncpm

Examples of planning in [town name] Example 1 (add picture if available) Example 2 Example 3

Resources APA: www.planning.org APA’s YouTube Channel Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning:

www.acsp.org Local planning department [include link

information] [Local APA chapter & web link]

ResourcesSuggested reading:

Citizens Guide to Planning (4th ed.) The Death and Life of Great American Cities by

Jane Jacobs High Cost of Free Parking by Donald Shoup Smart Growth in a Changing World by Jonathan

Barnett True Urbanism by Mark Hinshaw

Visit APAPlanningBooks.com for more titles

Contact

American Planning Association (APA)312.431.9100

PublicInfo@planning.orgwww.planning.org