APA-NJ Event

This webinar will address the viability of ferry services and their integration into public transportation systems. Speakers include Tim Payne, Principal of Nelson Nygaard and 35 years of experience. He also led development of TCRP SB-23, “Integrating Passenger Ferry Service with Mass Transit” on behalf of the Transportation Research Board.   Also speaking will be Hannah Henn, Assistant Vice President and Director of Ferries at New York City Economic Development Corporation. 

This session focuses on examples of two engaging, community-based plans now being implemented to achieve active, vibrant environments in an existing downtown (Burlington, VT) and a new TOD neighborhood (Santa Monica, CA).  Both plans were adopted in 2013, funded by HUD Office of Sustainable Communities Community Challenge grants, a pioneering Federal program that supports cities to develop integrated land use and transportation plans.   The webinar will include ideas and lessons learned for involving the community, designing and presenting information, and including a phased Implementation Plan that guides and measures achievement of Plan goals.

The workshop will “bridge the gap” between planners and communities by introducing them to available resources for community planning projects and activities. Price includes breakfast, lunch and workshop materials.

The New Jersey Economic Opportunity Act of 2013 is designed to stimulate economic development and strengthen New Jersey’s competitive edge in the global economy.  How will it impact land use decision making?  Come hear experts discuss how the incentives will alter land use in vibrant urban areas, highly distressed areas, and suburban areas that are at risk of having stranded assets.

Learn how to create plans that can be read on Kindles, iPads and other mobile devices. Creating plans with mobile devices in mind allows for a richer, more interactive experience for readers. Learn about easy to use, free software and tips for creating an interactive mobile-ready plan. This webcast is sponsored by the Ohio Chapter of the American Planning Association

The purpose of this session is to introduce participants to the origins of the BLM, FLPMA, and other related laws for managing the Nation’s most extensive network of public lands. A better understanding of why and how the BLM works with the public, partners and diverse interests improves inter-jurisdictional collaboration to meet shared goals.

The City Planner Book Club Meet Up is scheduled for Wednesday, March 26 at 6:30PM at The Daily in NYC. Click here for more details. 

During the webinar easily accessible web-based products will be discussed as well as case studies of how they have been applied. From this webinar participants will learn about C-CAP land cover data, the Coastal County Snapshot, Economics: National Ocean Watch (ENOW) data, Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding Impacts Viewer, and the Historical Hurricane Tracks website. During the webinar easily accessible web-based products will be discussed as well as case studies of how they have been applied. From this webinar participants will learn about C-CAP land cover data, the Coastal County Snapshot, Economics: National Ocean Watch (ENOW) data, Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding Impacts Viewer, and the Historical Hurricane Tracks web.

In this panel presentation, professional planners will address the challenges and successes they have had with a wide range of projects, including the creation of an urban river walk, the development of a regional bicycle plan, addressing the active transportation needs of a suburban high school, and planning for a mixed-use trail connecting two municipalities.

Click here to register.

The APA-NJ Emerging Professionals Group will be hosting their 2nd quarterly meeting for the year.  Topics to be discussed include:  events, walking tours, volunteer events, and professional development offerings. Free appetizers will be available.

Small and mid-sized communities face significant planning challenges which are different than those faced by larger communities. This presentation will describe an approach to economic development planning suitable for small and mid-sized communities. Presenters will discuss key trends impacting small & mid-size communities, with a focus on retail, housing, and the growing importance of the Central Social District and its role in downtown revitalization. 

The Spring NJDRMI for 2014 will get you up to speed on connecting your downtown, business and organization to the digital realm, helping your bring more money, people, and partners to support and sustain your efforts.

Planners and local governments should give attention to: holistic approach of multigenerational planning, work underway in cities, such as New York and Atlanta, taking creative steps to make their neighborhoods age-friendly and tools such as the Villages movement for self-empowerment on aging-in-place. This session will examine some tools and resources to foster communities friendly to all ages and highlight on-the-ground strategies to 'fund' changes.

The Affordable Housing Professionals of New Jersey in collaboration with the New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association is hosting an all-day symposium on the new proposed COAH Third Round Regulations.

This webinar is designed to inform planners on the benefits of landscaping to promote sustainability and redevelopment and then how to get this message out to developers, home owners and the community. The webinar will also provide a crash course on “right tree, right place” requirements. Finally the beneficial impacts that green areas provides for surface water retention and the prevention of hazardous runoff into our waterways will be discussed.

The next City Planner Book Club Meetup will be on Thursday, June 26 at Zeppelin Hall in Jersey City! Hope to see you there! Questions? Contact APA-NJ PDO, Christopher Brown at

Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is an emerging area of practice in the United States that is designed to be a practical tool that can be used to incorporate “health in all policies” into decisions made outside the traditional health fields that have impacts on health (transportation, land use, development, infrastructure, housing, education, policy).

Join us on Friday, June 27 at 3:30PM and see how a combination of zoning changes, infrastructure investments, financial incentives, and grassroots organizing has impacted the landscape of Downtown Newark and Newark’s LGBT community. (CM|Pending)

“Heritage Preservation” acknowledges the value of historic buildings and landmarks while sensitive to the stories, institutions, and cultural imprint of incumbent residents within our communities. Redevelopment initiatives that compromise cultural heritage are not sustainable due to the loss of assets that are irreplaceable.

During this day-long workshop (7/23), nationally and internationally-renowned Kennedy Smith will take you through the relationship between successful "places", best practices for economic analysis, and making the most of historic assets. CM Pending

This webinar will outline how the three-year program made an impact on planning and equity initiatives throughout Greater Boston. The webinar will focus on a few of those key planning and equity initiatives including transit-oriented development, fair housing plans, and housing and community development.

Join the movement to reconnect the soul of Newark to its river! This interactive walkshop led by Newark Planning Director Damon Rich and others will cover two miles of Newark's Ironbound riverfront between Penn Station and Chapel Street.

Planners currently use diverse engagement tools and processes to reach “beyond the usual suspects” and get outside of City Hall to gather input. However, reports, findings, draft and published plans all are still communicated in very traditional forms - long, jargon-filled documents with limited ways to explore the content non-linearly or comment on it.

Youth planning programs can help communities shape the next generation of civic-minded citizens. Listen while experts from the Atlanta Regional Commission, the University of Georgia, and the University of Georgia’s Cooperative Extension describe three of the area’s youth planning programs: a day camp, a leadership program, and an outreach program for at-risk youth.

For this webinar, presenters will share how to alter policies that hinder the needs of underserved populations as well as how to rise above institutional inertia. The webinar will introduce new tools and strategies, and participants will learn how to calibrate existing tools in order to realize desired outcomes. Examples will showcase creative ways to integrate equitable development into the planning process to make communities better.

For this webinar, presenters will share how to alter policies that hinder the needs of underserved populations as well as how to rise above institutional inertia. The webinar will introduce new tools and strategies, and participants will learn how to calibrate existing tools in order to realize desired outcomes. Examples will showcase creative ways to integrate equitable development into the planning process to make communities better.

osted by James Carpentier, AICP, and presented by Wendy Moeller, and Mike Freeborg, Director of Government Relations for YESCO, the presentation of answers these questions, and provides practical, solution-focused guidance that can set the foundation for regulations that allow for the opportunity to leverage this technology while protecting community aesthetic values and safety concerns.

Join APA-NJ for an exciting bus/walking tour of the Inner Essex Rail corridor with locations throughout Newark, East Orange and Orange. Learn more about the Urban Essex Coalition - their recommendations and accomplishments, and discuss whether or not this initiative can be replicated in other places.

Join APA-NJ for a walking tour of Downtown Somerville. Centrally located in Somerset County, Somerville is the quintessential example of how old meets new. Through proactive planning and innovative development, Somerville represents the synergy between historic landmarks and modern amenities. (CM | 2.0)

Registration is open. The PP Exam Review Course for the Fall 2014 test period will be held Saturday, October 25 from 8:30AM to 4:00PM, at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.

The APA-NJ Executive Committee cordially invites you to a Volunteer Appreciation Party to thank all of our volunteers for the work you do for the chapter throughout the year.  The event will be held on Wednesday, October 29 at Tumulty's Pub, 361 George St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901.   Light fare (variety of appetizers) will be […]

Join us for a wine and cheese reception coupled with interesting tales of redevelopment where the attendees will join as some of the story tellers. From project highlights to challenges, here’s a chance to listen and learn from your colleagues in the trenches. Seating is limited, the event is free.

The 60th NJ Downtown Institute for Winter 2015 is your opportunity to get up-to-speed on making the most of your limited volunteer and financial resources to help you achieve your revitalization and district management goals. This workshop is designed for business district management organizations, chambers and other municipal, county and regional leaders, whether staff or volunteers. APA 5.25 CM Credits, pending.

Registration is open. The PP Exam Review Course for the May 2015 test period will be held Saturday, March 28 from 8:30AM to 4:00PM, at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.

We invite you to learn how to get ahead of the future with your peers from 9 states at the 2015 APA Northeast Planning Conference in Saratoga Springs, June 24-26th. Register online, book your hotel room, and don't forget to check out all the amazing sponsor and exhibitor opportunities!

The 62nd NJ Downtown Institute for Summer 2015 will get you up to speed on making your downtown look better and be the best "place" it can be! Join Mike Lydon, co-author of Tactical Urbanism and Seanette Corkill, nationally-known store designer, for a day of learning how to make exceptional design happen in your public spaces, businesses, and district as a whole.

The PP Exam Review Course for the Fall 2015 test period will be held Saturday, October 3, 2015 from 8:30AM to 4:00PM, at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Civic Square Building, 33 Livingston Avenue, 2nd Floor, Room 261, New Brunswick, NJ 08901. A light breakfast will be served, and students are encouraged to support local restaurants in the city for lunch.

Please join us Friday the 24th to network with fellow planning professionals and planning students working on both sides of the Hudson! This event serves as a wonderful opportunity to meet planners from the region as well as connect with old-friends. Small appetizers will be provided.

Please join APA-NJ on Saturday, July 9th for a 2-hour walking tour of Duke Farms, a model of environmental stewardship that inspires visitors to become informed stewards of the land. It is a place of education, enjoyment and research that enhances the environmental health of the region.

APA-NJ is pleased to present "An Evening with Fellows of AICP" on Thursday, October 20th from 4pm-6pm in the Special Events Forum at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. A reception will follow at Tumulty's Pub. There is no charge for this event.

Transient residencies, internet rentals, neighborhood character in flux, enforcement issues. Join NJAPZA and APA-NJ on March 29 at the Asbury Park Municipal Building from 9am-12pm for a discussion on how towns can address short term rentals.

The PP Exam Review Course for the Spring 2017 test period will be held Saturday, April 8, 2017 from 8:30AM to 4:00PM, at the Bloustein School. The Review Course is expected to cover general exam topics including the State Plan, County Planning Act, environmental regulations, affordable housing, Planning Board and Board of Adjustment activities, MLUL, regional planning entities, and other material relative to the PP Exam.

Join us Sunday, May 7th, 2017 from 6:30–8:30pm for an amazing evening at The New York Public Library’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. Entry to this event includes wine, beer, and hors d'oeuvres. $25 until April 15.

Join us on Thursday, May 18th for a walking tour of Newark’s Military Park Historic District and buildings, including the Hahne and NJ Bell Telephone buildings, the Peddie Memorial Church, & others. The tour will include discussions with local experts
about historic preservation, redevelopment and adaptive reuse, economic development, and innovation in collaborative
community space.

Are you a municipal official, planner, developer, land use attorney, environmentalist or anyone else interested in local development who has been frustrated by the ins and outs of the MLUL? If so, join us for a Re-Forum where our open meeting format will allow participants to shape the agenda on what changes you'd like to see!

Join AHPNJ and APA-NJ for a timely symposium on effective affordable housing administration on June 28th at the Metro Top Plaza in South Iselin.

Join us on Friday, June 22 from 11am-2pm for a Walking Tour of Downtown Hammonton. Designated one of APA New Jersey’s initial Great Places in New Jersey, Downtown Hammonton is a true standout in South Jersey; a source of renewed pride for residents, and a destination for visitors across the region.

Join us Friday, July 27th as industry leaders discuss smart growth principles through redevelopment studies and plans in addition to leveraging PILOTs. This half-day workshop will empower attendees with the knowledge necessary to understand and negotiate the best deals while also debunking redevelopment myths and misconceptions.

APA New Jersey is pleased to release its 2018 Complete Guide to Planning in New Jersey and we're celebrating with a party! Join colleagues and friends at the Marketplace in Long Branch (2 blocks from the beach) to catch up, enjoy some great food and adult libations (cash bar) and get your copy of the 4th edition!

The Review Course is expected to cover general exam topics including the State Plan, County Planning Act, environmental regulations, affordable housing, Planning Board and Board of Adjustment activities, MLUL, regional planning entities, and other material relative to the PP Exam.

Please join APA New Jersey for food, fun, friends and entertainment as we celebrate this year’s 2018 Great Places in New Jersey designees. The awards reception will take place on Monday, October 29 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the South Orange Performing Arts Center Loft located in downtown South Orange.

With over 50 sessions, 200 speakers, and 700 attendees, the annual New Jersey Planning Conference is the largest land use conference in the state. Join us on January 24th and 25th at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick.

The Review Course is expected to cover general exam topics including the State Plan, County Planning Act, environmental regulations, affordable housing, Planning Board and Board of Adjustment activities, MLUL, regional planning entities, and other material relative to the PP Exam. Additionally, all students will receive a copy of the 2018 Complete Guide to Planning in New Jersey and the 2018 New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law.

Please join New Jersey, New York Metro and New York Update for our annual National Planning Conference Reception which will be held on Saturday, April 14 from 7:30pm to 9:00pm at The Office in San Francisco (located 8 minutes from the main conference hotel).

Join APA New Jersey for a guided tour of Newark featuring parks, small business corridors, corporate headquarters and new residential developments followed by a networking reception that will be held at Redd's Beer Garden. Registration is limited to the first 30 guests. There is no charge for the event. AICP CM 3 Pending.

Starting at Kula Farms and Kula Café on the west side, the tour will move on to visit the City's public parks, the Central Business District, and ending at the Asbury Park Boardwalk, including historic and cultural icons such as The Stone Pony, Carousel Building and Convention Hall.

Featuring 45 sessions, 200 speakers, and 700 guests, the 2020 New Jersey Planning Conference brings together the hottest topics, latest tools, and leading voices with something new to say about what matters most to you. Register now and join us on January 23-24 at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick.

The “Great Contraction” has sent New Jersey into economic freefall, accelerating the pace of structural change and raising profound questions about the future. What does this mean for the world of planning?

As the Metro New York economy begins to reactivate, uncertainty remains as to the lasting effects on real estate demand. At the root of this question is whether initial reports of households relocating to the suburbs are just a short-term blip or part of a continuing trend.

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are an often overlooked and underutilized solution to the affordable housing shortage we face in New Jersey and across the Northeast. Join us for a planning discussion around ADUs and how this untapped housing can also serve as a “missing middle” senior housing and as a Fair Share housing initiative.

Providing municipal tax incentives to attract investment while advancing planning outcomes has proven to be a powerful tool but not without significant controversy. Join us on January 21st to explore the the what, why, how and when.

While the newly adopted adult use cannabis regulations have yet to be solidified through the rulemaking process, legislation does provide insights as to how the planning and development community can begin to prepare for the where, and how to locate cannabis facilities.

NJPRC21 will feature over 30 sessions, a virtual exhibit area, and ways to connect with fellow attendees as it brings together bold ideas, innovative solutions, proven concepts, and best practices for creating better, more inclusive, and equitable places where people live, work, and play.

The Prep Course will cover general exam topics including the State Plan, County Planning Act, environmental regulations, affordable housing, Planning Board and Board of Adjustment activities, MLUL, regional planning entities, and other relevant material for the PP Exam.

Responding to the combined sewer overflow (CSO) problem is more than a matter of complying with permit requirements. Spending hundreds of millions of dollars in ways that do not improve municipal quality of life is not the optimal solution. Using redevelopment as a tool to improve CSO results should be seriously considered. This workshop is designed to help municipal planners, drinking water/sewer utility officials, and municipal development officials understand the ways in which they can reduce sewage generation through water conservation and redevelopment design, including stormwater systems retrofits and green infrastructure.

The Prep Course will cover general exam topics including the State Plan, County Planning Act, environmental regulations, affordable housing, Planning Board and Board of Adjustment activities, MLUL, regional planning entities, and other relevant material for the PP Exam.

Please join APA New Jersey on Thursday, December 15 as we celebrate the people, projects, plans, and places at the forefront of planning of and design in New Jersey! Congratulations to Planning Excellence and Great Places in New Jersey awardees!

In a fully functional recreation of 18th-century living, the East Jersey Old Town Village offers visitors the chance to experience the daily life of blacksmiths, tailors, and stone carvers in the American colonies. The Cornelius Low House — now home to the Middlesex County Museum–is the former family home of Cornelius Low, a businessman in the Raritan Landing community who owned a warehouse for grain he purchased from local farmers, then shipped to New York. The building has stood since 1741 and is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

Join us on Sunday, April 2nd, from 6-9 PM at Adventure Aquarium for a celebration of planning and economic development in New Jersey, surrounded by a 550,000-gallon Shark Realm exhibit highlighting hundreds of amazing fish and nearly two dozen sharks! The night will feature three hours of open bar, food and music. Transportation will be provided from Philadelphia.

Join APA New Jersey for a walking tour of Downtown Westfield, led by Mayor Shelley Brindle and Town Planner Don Sammet. The tour will include visits to the redevelopment site with a discussion about the redevelopment process and plan. It will conclude at the One Westfield Place preview center for a Q&A, see a scale model of the project, and sample food from local restaurants. A happy hour will follow.

The conference will feature a multitude of timely sessions and bring together hundreds of visionary New Jersey professionals, elected officials, and community activists who share a passion and commitment to the Garden State. Together we can reimagine land use to optimize efficiency, promote sustainable growth, and bolster community resilience in a rapidly changing environment!

Join author Richard Bolton to discuss Paterson during the Nineteenth Century, when the city grew into a manufacturing and commercial powerhouse. Paterson was characterized as “An arm of iron in a sleeve of silk.” The photographs in his new book, "Paterson's Industrial Age," are largely from the archives of the Paterson Museum and highlight the city’s progression during its period of greatest growth.

The Prep Course will cover general exam topics, including the State Plan, County Planning Act, environmental regulations, affordable housing, Planning Board and Board of Adjustment activities, MLUL, regional planning entities, and other relevant material for the PP Exam.

Please join APA New Jersey for our annual awards reception as we gather to celebrate and honor the people, projects, programs, and places that exemplify the gold standard in comprehensive planning and design.

"The Street Project" uncovers the truth about a troubling trend: more and more people walking and bicycling are being seriously injured or killed on American roads. The filmmakers engage experts including street historian Peter Norton, city planner Jeff Speck, and urban design expert Mikael Colville-Andersen whose interviews are interwoven with the stories of local champions working to make their communities safer.

Join us on Sunday, April 7th, for a walking tour of Newark beginning at the apartments at 15 Washington Street on the Rutgers-Newark campus, then Hahne & Co. and Express Newark, winding through Military Park and more.

Midtown Manhattan has seen more than its fair share of landmark preservation versus development battles. This 2-hour walking tour will start at the Villard houses in Manhattan and take us to "landmark" preservation buildings in central Manhattan including the Villard houses, St Bartholomew's Church, the Lever/Seagram buildings, and Grand Central Terminal (GCT).

This symposium, presented in partnership with the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, NJ TRANSIT, the NJ Department of Transportation, and the Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center at Rutgers University, will bring together experts, stakeholders, and professionals to explore the intersection of community, commerce, and transit-oriented development. Save the date for this opportunity to learn from the past and shape the future of transportation and community in New Jersey.

Join us on June 5-7 for the 2024 New Jersey Planning and Redevelopment Conference! NJPRC24 will feature 37 sessions, 150+ speakers, and bring together hundreds of visionary professionals, elected officials, and community activists who share a passion and commitment to the Garden State. Don’t wait, purchase your all-access pass today!

Join us on Thursday, October 10th, from 3 PM-6 PM at the Bloustein School for a symposium and networking reception to celebrate the launch of the 3rd Edition of The Redevelopment Handbook: A Guide to Rebuilding New Jersey’s Communities. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.

New Brunswick, NJ has many architectural gems that often go unappreciated. The city has also experienced significant redevelopment and in tandem, historic preservation versusdevelopment challenges. This tour will consider these diverseforces that typify many American cities.

Join our panel of experts on Thursday, November 14, at 10 am as they walk through vacant land adjustments, review realistic zoning/development potential, and outline the steps municipalities and their professionals should take to connect obligations with on-the-ground realities.

You are cordially invited to a celebratory reception at the South Orange Performing Arts Center on Thursday, December 12, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM to honor this year's recipients of the 2024 Planning Excellence Awards and the latest communities designated as Great Places in New Jersey!

Zoning can be a leading cause of inequity in America, and progress will not be made until we start to break down the barriers of inequitable land use regulations. Moreover, zoning reform is only beneficial to those that have access to capital. Eric Kornberg of KRONBERG URBANISTS + ARCHITECTS will discuss how financing ADUs is one of the most inequitable aspects of small scale development. He will share ways to layer on affordability requirements that coincide with land use reform. These affordability requirements can soften the impact of redevelopment for residents, but it is the access to capital and training to be one’s own developer that is crucial to better outcomes.