When EPA created the Office of Environmental Justice, it required developing new tools for the purpose of engaging and working with the public, including segments of the public that are underserved. Community planners and other allied professionals may be less familiar with the tools the Office of Environmental Justice has developed overtime to strengthen public involvement; encourage community action for a renewed environment; or advance collaborative environmental problem solving.

Join New Jersey Future, Regional Plan Association and Together North Jersey for an important discussion with thought leaders to bring forward the next generation of “big ideas” to enhance prosperity, livability, and environmental sustainability in the tri-state region.

Learn how Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Santa Monica used different, yet equally practical, applications of “tactical urbanism” to transform their streets in months, not years. One pilot project involved a transformative streetscape master plan; the other uses “pop-up” demonstrations of a potential “Neighborhood Greenway” design to get residents involved. Hosted by the Urban Design and Preservation Division.

Drought is becoming an increasingly important issue for planners at the local, regional and state levels. Drought impacts vary by region, but it affects everything from the most obvious -- water supply -- to ecosystems, the built environment, regional economies and human health. Mitigation and adaptation to drought requires attention and collaboration among planners, water engineers and natural resource experts.

“Complete street” is a transportation term that refers to a corridor designed for all modes of transportation. Washington, DC has made national news for its emphasis on the fundamental modes of transportation – walking and biking. It’s also home to one of the most recognizable mass transit systems. So why would the District Department of Transportation propose a scenario that eliminates complete streets?

This webinar is designed to help you make the case for implementing the most effective smart growth policies for ensuring that your community has an adequate supply of housing for the continuum of need: from workforce housing to seniors who need help to age in place. We will specifically address inclusionary zoning, community land trusts, accessory dwelling units, and tools for avoiding and overcoming NIMBYism.

This presentation will review some of these changes and outline steps that planners can take to mitigate present and future impacts of the new law. Planners are best trained to synthesize the multi-disciplinary nature of hazard mitigation planning and can be at the forefront of achieving reductions in losses to life and property as well as creating safer communities.

Join representatives from the 21 New Jersey municipalities that have combined sewer overflows and utility authorities to discuss:    SPEAKERS: Mayor Ras Baraka, City of Newark Mayor Dana Redd, City of Camden Daniel M. Kennedy, Assistant Commissioner,Water Resources Management, NJDEP George Hawkins, CEO and General Manager of the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority   Registration […]

Agenda 3:30 - 3:45 PM: Registration 3:45 - 4:00 PM: DVRPC Presentation 4:00 - 5:30 PM: Live viewing of APA Audio/Webconference Growing numbers of people are commuting and getting around town by bicycle. Keeping everyone safe on streets and sidewalks is a moving target. Explore the safety issues that go with more robust transportation options. […]

The APA International Division will be hosting a regional meetup for planners interested in international planning. All planners with an interest in international issues are welcome to attend. Hors d’oeuvres will be served. Happy hour drink specials will be available for purchase until 7pm.

Sustainability and comprehensive planning can run on two separate tracks within local government. To create sustaining places, the programs have to come together — but how? APA has worked with 13 communities to develop standards for integrating sustainability into comprehensive plans. Hear about the standards and the goals behind them.

One of the great challenges of communities living on the New Jersey coast or along its some 18,126 miles of rivers and streams is how to prepare for inevitable flooding. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requires that buildings be elevated, moved out of a floodplain, or acquired and demolished to comply with the new flood maps. The hope is that elevating will keep buildings out of the water, but what do wholesale elevations do to a community?

New Jersey Future’s annual Redevelopment Forum attracts nearly 500 local and state officials, citizen activists, development professionals, architects, attorneys, planners, business leaders and students. Redevelopment allows us to re-use infrastructure, take advantage of historically strategic locations, maintain and improve our communities and preserve our remaining open spaces.

The FCC adopted new rules at its Oct. 17 meeting that are likely to require changes in the way local governments respond to applications for siting wireless towers, and for adding antennas to, and modifying, existing structures. The rules could necessitate an immediate review and revision of wireless siting ordinances in many communities, and have important implications for the way states and localities deal with siting of wireless facilities in historic districts and environmentally sensitive areas.

This presentation will discuss significant changes in housing for people with disabilities over the last several years. Enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Supreme Court’s decision in Olmstead v. L.C. – which requires public entities to offer their services to people with disabilities in “the integrated setting” – has led to statewide system reform of housing systems, moving away from congregate disability-specific housing to expanding access to scattered-site supportive housing.

NY/NJ Baykeeper in conjunction with Newark DIG (Doing Infrastructure Green) is hosting a free workshop on the economic benefits of green infrastructure. Geared towards private property owners, redevelopers, and engineers, guests will learn how implementing stormwater management strategies can affect your bottom line and much more.

Reshoring is a very popular idea among businesses, their customers and governments where jobs growth will have the most impact. But it’s not that simple. Reshoring requires a carefully crafted journey through innovation, automation, localization of products and site/community selection.

Register now for the world's premier educational event for planners and planning officials. With hundreds of sessions, workshops, mobile workshops, and networking events, you can build a conference that's just right for you.

Each year, RPA brings together more than 1,000 civic and business leaders from around the New York metropolitan area to discuss major issues affecting the prosperity and quality of life in the region.

Please join the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders on April 28, 2015 for a workshop exploring the resources and assistance programs available to strengthen your municipality’s capacity for resilience. Learn of practical measures and strategies to adapt to and withstand the severe weather and natural hazards of our changing future.

The 61st NJ Downtown Institute for Spring 2015 is your opportunity to get up-to-speed on making the most out of your number one asset that you control - your customer experience - to build your business, organization or district. This action-packed half-day is designed mainly for business owners and operators, however business district management organizations, chambers and other municipal, county and regional leaders can gain great insights for themselves and their clients and stakeholders.

Register Now (APA-NJ Members receive a 10% Discount) Featuring nationally-acclaimed customer acquisition & retention expert Pamela Herrman  Hosted at the beautiful Montclair Library just steps away from the heart of award winning Montclair Center, a Main Street New Jersey community since 2007. The 61st NJ Downtown Institute for Spring 2015 is your opportunity to get up-to-speed […]

The New Jersey Health Impact Collaborative (NJHIC), a collaboration of Rutgers University’s Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy and Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS), is hosting a statewide conference on Health Impact Assessment (HIA) on May 7, 2015 at the Cook Campus Center at Rutgers University.

Join the Morris County Economic Development Corporation for a transportation panel and luncheon!

Learn how to build financial models for the acquisition and development of commercial and mixed-use real estate development projects using Excel.

New technologies. Evolving expectations. A variety of forces are changing the way planners work, the skills they need, even the issues they address. An APA task force recently spent a year looking into the planning office of the future. Learn about the findings and hear what practitioners have to say about recent changes, current conditions, and the shape of things to come.

On March 10, 2015, the New Jersey Supreme Court returned jurisdiction over low- and moderate-income housing to the trial courts, effectively ending COAH’s oversight. The ruling is the most significant court action impacting affordable housing since the court held that municipalities must provide their “fair share”. What does the court’s ruling mean for your municipality? […]

PlanSmart NJ's 4th Annual Regional Planning Summit, Stranded Suburban Real Estate Assets: Changing Economy, Changing Land Use will bring together experts in planning, redevelopment, and infrastructure to reveal the magnitude of the problem and explore methods to break through common barriers to transform New Jersey's suburbs into resilient and livable communities where people can live, work, and play.