Join us for a discussion on urban and regional planning in Quebec and New England, where we examine how cities in both these areas will face the future. Featuring guests from Canada and the Northeastern US, our panelists will attempt to tease out why urban and regional planning has gone from visionary to ordinary. This conference seeks to redirect the momentum of contemporary city planning back toward a creative exploration of what places could be instead of what they are likely to become.

Please join DVRPC, the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, the Southern New Jersey Development Council, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Select Greater Philadelphia, and other leaders at "Investing in People and Places" to discuss Greater Philadelphia’s priorities for economic development. Business leaders from big and small companies will share why they chose to start, stay and grow their businesses in Greater Philadelphia.

This one-day class is meant for pond owners, pond managers, landscape architects, engineers and anyone involved with the design, management or maintenance of ponds. This course is structured to help you make the proper decisions regarding the appearance, function or up-keep of your pond. Starting with design, learn how to build a pond, including the construction of embankments and dams and the selection and installation of liners. You will also learn how to create and maintain a stable shoreline, create and aquascape littoral benches, and optimize habitat for fish and aquatic wildlife. 

Join ULI NNJ members and colleagues on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at St. Peter’s University in Jersey City, as we engage in a profound dialogue and book signing with the author of “A Country of Cities: A Manifesto for Urban America,” Vishaan Chakrabarti. Mr. Chakrabarti is the director of Columbia University’s Center for Urban Real Estate (CURE) and a partner at SHoP Architects,

Come learn about the new trend of aging in place and how it may affect how we address affordable housing for seniors. Come join AHPNJ in the discussion with presenter Emily A. Greenfield, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Programs on Aging Coordinator at the School of Social Work at Rutgers University.

Each spring, 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. At this year’s RPA Assembly, speakers, workshops and interactive presentations will explore our initial research for the next regional plan and discuss how to create more livable, prosperous and equitable communities, protect ourselves from severe weather, and grapple with our fiscal and governance challenges.

This spring, all roads lead to Atlanta. Five thousand planners are heading to APA's 2014 National Planning Conference, April 26-30. It's the perfect place to see what's around the corner for the planning profession and communities around the world.

Technology is changing the way planning is conducted and open government is reshaping community engagement. Citizens now can access extensive information online and make use of government data, application processes, review procedures, and project commenting. Learn how this affects the planning commission's role as the interface between government and the public. The program also will look at the developing concept of participatory budgeting.

You are cordially invited to the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy Alumni Gathering. The school has organized this alumni event in the midst of the APA (American Planning Association) National Conference in Atlanta and would love it if you are able to attend! Even if you are not attending the APA conference, the alumni gathering is open to all Bloustein alums!

On April 29, 2014 the NJ Department of Health and ShapingNJ are co-presenting a special event with Rutgers University. Dena Seidel, Rutgers Center for Digital Filmmaking at the Mason Gross School of the Arts has produced a documentary feature entitled, Generation at Risk: Joining Forces to Fight Childhood Obesity, which now includes an interview with Commissioner O'Dowd, as well as several other experts in the field from within and outside of NJ.

Welcoming Remarks: “Recovery after the Recovery” James W. Hughes, Dean, Bloustein School New Jersey Forecast Nancy H. Mantell, Director, R/ECON™ Michael Lahr, Research Professor, Bloustein School Hot Real Estate Sectors: Warehouse/Distribution: Anne Strauss-Wieder, A. Strauss-Wieder, Inc. Data Centers: Jeff Hipschman, Managing Director, CBRE Multifamily Rental: Ronald S. Ladell, Senior Vice President, AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

Over the last 40 years local and state governments and land trusts have preserved millions of acres of farm and ranch lands using agricultural conservation easements. How have these programs succeeded and how will they further evolve? Come to celebrate and to learn from the nation's most successful programs.

Act now to register for the 2014 Spring Planning Forum: Making It Great Now, just a short hop across the state line in Allentown PA on May 13. The day promises to be full of new ideas and required information – hear from Andrew Howard of Team Better Block about how to kickstart revitalization with tactical urbanism, get your ethics credits while hearing about inclusionary planning and how to engaged underserved communities, enjoy lunch while hearing the latest from elected officials, and choose from afternoon sessions that highlight revitalization projects.

Plants are the most obvious clues to wetland boundaries. This two-day combination classroom and field course will teach you how to quickly and confidently identify plant species that are important in determining if an area meets the hydrophytic vegetation criterion for wetland delineation, focusing on ID characteristics. Learn basic plant ID groups, basic plant morphology and some basic botanical terminology.

Is gentrification a dirty word? How does revitalization impact existing communities? What is the perception versus reality of gentrification? Are we afraid to talk about gentrification....let's talk about it. This workshop will be taught by a published author, Mindy Thompson Fullilove, MD and an Economist/Planner, Peter Angelides, Ph.D., AICP. Both industry experts will provide practical and clinical evidence on the topic of gentrification. You don't want to miss this discussion. Seats are limited!

Community coaching helps stakeholders build sustainable plans – and the shared leadership to implement them.   This model helps build relationships between planner and client that makes it possible to address the big, difficult issues that keep a community from moving forward.  It is a different approach to current models of planning practice, and it may challenge you to think about how you work with communities.

Register Residents of existing neighborhoods do not always welcome new development, and project opponents often cite density as a primary concern. Discover how to focus community conversations about infill and redevelopment on design. In this program, planning and design experts will explore how communities can use planning, design, and policy to minimize and mitigate the […]

Celebrate New Jersey’s 350th birthday at the Opening Reception hosted by the Advocates for New Jersey History on the evening before the conference at historic Thompson Park. The event recognizes leaders who have made significant contributions to advance history and historic preservation issues in New Jersey. This year we’re also commemorating NJ 350!

The conference is co-hosted by the NJ Historic Trust, NJ Historic Commission, NJ Historic Preservation Office, and the Common Wealth of New Jersey.

Please join NJ Future on Thursday, June 5, at their annual Smart Growth Awards gala celebration in the Metropolitan Room at the Newark Club, One Newark Center, Newark, as they honor the winners of this year’s Smart Growth Awards competition. The evening is one of the networking highlights of the year, drawing almost 300 land-use professionals, planners, attorneys, developers, and local and state officials.

Whether you work for local government, a Business Improvement District, or another local organization, effective communication with your constituents is essential. These days, much of our communication takes place online—either through websites or social media. How can you ensure that your constituents find the information they seek quickly and effectively? How can you use social media more effectively given time and budget constraints? We will discuss these questions and more.

PlanSmart NJ’s 3rd Annual Regional Planning Summit will bring together experts in the development and local decision making field to explore how the current regulatory system might be reformed to achieve better outcomes on the ground to stimulate the economy, protect the environment, and encourage land use patterns that create more vibrant communities served by public transportation.

Get new ideas for making places better through arts and culture and building more creative communities. Learn from experts in real estate development, public administration, arts management, and urban planning. Share your insights in peer learning sessions.

"Hazards Ahead - All Hands on Deck!" - Commencing Effective Action to Prevent Future Damage.  Join fellow hazard mitigation practitioners from all disciplines and regions as we pull together in turning our ship (and communities) toward a safer course.

In this annual review, planning attorneys assess the impacts on planning of U.S. Supreme Court, federal district court, and state court decisions. Topics will range from First Amendment issues to environmental actions, and from housing to equal access. Panelists also will discuss APA's amicus filings and significant legislative actions. The program website contains links to or copies of all cases discussed and suggestions for further reading. It's a lively, highly informative program that you and your staff, colleagues, and officials won't want to miss.

With the damage caused from hurricanes, tornadoes and floods around the United States, more communities are looking to be more ‘resilient.’  Resiliency is not just about creative physical improvements to withstand storms; it is also connects to a community’s ability to revitalize quickly after disaster.  Arts and culture can play a big role in helping communities recover.  We will explore examples from Louisiana, New Jersey and Missouri, and discuss how to connect creative placemaking with resiliency in community dialogues.

During the last fifteen years, thousands of communities across the United States have sought to attract or develop advanced communications networks, recognizing that such networks can provide them and the nation multiple strategic advantages in the increasingly competitive global economy. In virtually every case, fostering robust economic development has ranked at or near the top of the list of considerations motivating these communities.

Creative Placemaking Planning for Real Estate Professionals is a one-day workshop which will include a broad overview of what Creative Placemaking is and why this approach is so effective for sustainable development towards increasing community vibrancy, social equity and economic growth.

The referendum for a stable source of open space funding barely made it onto the November ballot. Tom Gilbert, Keep It Green will describe what the referendum means and what needs to be done to ensure its passage. Other speakers will discuss the importance of open space for healthy communities.

Registration is now open for the premier planning conference in Pennsylvania.

Join APAPASE for an evening of food, fun, and (planning-themed) Quizzo!

The NJAFM Annual Conference is a statewide conference related to floodplain management and planning. The conference draws a multi-disciplinary audience including planners, engineers, scientists and local officials.

Given the quagmire of this recent history of COAH proposals and litigation in NJ, maybe it’s time to review how other states are facilitating affordable housing production and to consider how their experiences could reshape New Jersey’s approach. Leading the discussion is Rachel Bratt, Professor of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning, Tufts University, and author or co-author of many articles, reports, and chapters in books on housing policy.

Please join us for the largest GIS conference in the mid-Atlantic region. MAC URISA 2014 will be held October 22nd through the 24th at the Resorts Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. We are proud to host a comprehensive, multi-day conference to showcase the outstanding projects and technologies used by our members.

The 59th NJDRMI for Fall 2014 is your opportunity to get up-to-speed on making the most out of key digital tools for your marketing and is aimed to help you be more effective and strategic at promoting your downtown, business and events. This action-packed day is designed for business districts, management organizations, chambers and other municipal, county and regional leaders (CM | 2.5 Pending)

Join Brick City Conversations for a presentation on the Regional Plan Association’s Fourth Plan.

The Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning's 54th Annual Conference offers nearly 300 AICP CM credits over a four-day conference. The preliminary program can be found at www.acsp.org and lists the sessions that qualify for credit. A conference app will be available this week and attendees can create their own schedule for session attendance.

With the two-year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy on the horizon, what have we learned about rebuilding? This program, featuring Anthony Flint, fellow and director of public affairs at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, will focus on concrete steps that are being taken to plan, pay for and implement resiliency measures on the ground.

Using a class room case study and tour approach, participants will learn the fundamentals of comprehensive real estate development using actual development projects as “backdrops” to the concepts, applications and discussions about redevelopment.

Equity and ethics are not identical, but they do intersect. Listen as AICP planners and allied health professionals probe this important topic. How is health equity being addressed, and how does it relate to planning? What ethical codes do public health professionals follow, and where's the intersection with planning ethics? Examine the role equity plays in various ethical frameworks and find out how communities and planners are taking on health equity.

In a time when funding resources are scarce, it is imperative to understand and demonstrate the positive impacts of planning and implementation of transportation investments on our communities. A number of efforts including RTD’s Quality of Life Study, RTD’s TOD Program Metrics and the City of Denver’s TOD Strategic Plan have separate goals but similar methodologies. This session will discuss these programs and their applicability to projects from large scale to small scale.

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.

Planning feels the impact of decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court, federal district courts, and state courts. How will their rulings affect you? Get a briefing on the year's legal developments, from First Amendment issues to environmental actions, housing, and equal access. Presenters also will discuss major legislative initiatives and APA's amicus filings. Join in a lively, informative program you and your staff, colleagues, and officials won't want to miss. This program is also suitable for planning commissioners.

Learn about the Coalition’s eorts to create model mixed-use communities at ve commuter rail stations in Newark, East Orange and Orange

This webinar will examine the linkages between landscape architecture and transportation planning, looking at how addressing design issues as early as possible in the planning process can result in transportation solutions more likely to win public support and produce the best transportation outcomes.

Athens, Ohio recently adopted The Essence of Athens: A Strategic Design Plan for Economic Enhancement and Community Competitiveness. This community collaboration 'extracted' the spirit and personality of the community and encourages architects, landscape architects, and planners to color outside the lines of ordinary design and create things that make people say, "That's so Athens."

This webcast will discuss what local governments need to do to ensure that their sign codes comply with the U.S. Supreme Court's June 2015 decision in Reed v. Town of Gilbert. That decision established that any sign regulation that "on its face" requires a consideration of a sign's content to determine how that sign will be regulated is "content-based" and subject to "strict scrutiny."

REGISTER Parking is a critical piece of a community’s infrastructure. It plays an important role in developing “mixed-use projects” and sustainable transportation. Parking also has a direct impact on the ability to create compact, healthy communities. Overly restrictive parking requirements can thwart efforts to build walkable communities that require less parking. Too little parking can […]

In this webinar you will learn what your community can do to prepare for, and land your next economic development prospect. It will cover the following items: (1) Current trends in Economic Development & Site Selection; (2) Understanding your target audience - What Prospects, Site Selection Consultants and other key players are looking for; (3) Understanding your product & target markets; (4) Before the prospect shows up – what can make your community competitive; and (5) The site visit and afterwards - practical pointers for closing the deal.

The National Center for Transit Research, Urban and Regional Information Systems Association and the Transportation Research Board are jointly presenting the 9th National GIS in Transit Conference, on September 1-3, 2015, in Washington, DC.

Join the RPA/NJIT Mayors’ Academy on Resilient Design for a public keynote presented by David Waggonner, president of Waggonner & Ball Architects and producer of the award-winning Greater New Orleans Urban Water Plan. Mr. Waggonner will offer lessons of resilience and living with water for our region’s urban cities and towns. Light appetizers and refreshments will be served

The Stormwater Committee of the NJ-AWRA is sponsoring a new seminar series that will allow for education and discussion of different stormwater related topics. Jeromie Lange, PE from Maser Consulting will present on a recent study of the performance of Basins across the State. Glen Carleton of USGS will follow with a presentation on New Groundwater Mounding Analysis Software. Please join us in this exciting new initiative and opportunity for professional development and continuing education.

This two-day course on the redevelopment planning law process will provide a broader understanding of the crucial issues, steps and challenges associated with the New Jersey’s Local Redevelopment and Housing Law (LRHL). The workshop features a faculty with many of the top planners, attorneys, government officials and consultants from the New Jersey redevelopment arena who will share their real world redevelopment experiences.

Nowadays a wide variety of data from the US Census Bureau is easily accessible for anybody to use and it is relatively easy to create impressive looking maps and flowcharts. But how reliable is this data and can we really use it to inform planning decisions? This program will highlight some of the issues with the data especially with regard to liability, comparability and data aggregation. In addition, the program will briefly discuss why these issues are even more relevant when you use third party software.

Health Impact Assessment (HIA) can be used to evaluate a proposed plan or project’s potential effects on the health of a population. HIA provides evidence-based recommendations aimed at enhancing positive health impacts and minimizing negative ones, providing an approach to the decision-making process.

Health Impact Assessment (HIA) can be used to evaluate a proposed plan or project’s potential effects on the health of a population. HIA provides evidence-based recommendations aimed at enhancing positive health impacts and minimizing negative ones.

While aging in place enables older adults to live at home independently, Aging in Community promotes social capital—a sense of social connectedness and interdependence - with systems of support and caring to maximize one’s ability to remain at home in their community.

Increasingly young workers and baby boomers alike are leaving the suburbs for higher density mixed use areas with easily accessible public transportation. This renewed interest in living and working in urban areas is helping to drive an economic boom in some of New Jersey’s cities.

Join APA NY Metro for the 2015 Annual Conference and Awards Ceremony at Lerner Hall, Columbia University.

Join a conversation with Senator Cory Booker and distinguished experts in business and public policy to discuss the risks and repercussions of a Hudson rail tunnel closure, as well as the benefits of building additional cross-Hudson rail access as part of Amtrak's Gateway program.

Delve into the state of the real estate markets after the great recession. How have well-planned communities weathered the storm? Are more communities recognizing the importance of planning for economic development? Veteran planners look at new norms for home values, retail markets, development, and revitalization.

On Thursday, December 3, 2015, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital are co-hosting Philadelphia’s first Vision Zero conference. Vision Zero is based on the concept that road crashes are not accidents, but are preventable events. Road deaths, currently totaling nearly 100 per year in Philadelphia, can be reduced to zero through education, engineering, and enforcement.

Navigating NJ's complex regulatory system can be a cumbersome process and can result in costly and often conflicting results. Are there more effective solutions for managing growth in New Jersey?

Please join us on the evening of December 9th as we celebrate five decades of planning and regional cooperation, recognize the people, projects and programs that have transformed our region, meet new friends and partners, and be inspired for the next 50 years!

The New Jersey Urban Water Conference is a half-day event that will bring together state and local decision-makers, practitioners and stakeholders to build awareness of the importance of modern drinking water, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure as key to New Jersey’s prosperity.

Please join the Urban Essex Coalition for Smart Growth for "Creating a Vision for Station Areas in Urban Essex County's Urban Transit Corridor". Space is limited, RSVP today.

Coming up with reasonable and enforceable sign codes can often be a complex and controversial process. With so many community stakeholders caring about sign codes, it is important to get the most accurate, up-to-date information and expertise as possible. The seminar will present modules that educate on the technology within signs, sign code issues, understanding electronic message centers, and the importance of signs to business.

RegisterThis session will review significant changes in Federal Fair Housing requirements that occurred in 2015. Topics include the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the Federal Fair Housing Act, HUD’s new rule on Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing, and the implementation of the rule through the Assessment of Fair Housing template. The session will help HUD […]

The purpose of the conference is to educate stakeholders and engage them in addressing the impacts of stormwater runoff from impervious cover. The workshop will acknowledge on-going efforts by the Sustainable Raritan River Collaborative and showcase their work. It will also provide attendees an opportunity to network and develop new partnerships so they can better achieve the goal of a sustainable Raritan River Basin.

Winning isn’t everything, but we can often learn a lot from plans, programs, and projects that have been deemed worthy of an award. In this session, speakers representing four winners of SCD’s 2015 Awards for Excellence in Sustainability will demonstrate how communities can function more sustainably.

For decades, the terms Central Business District, CBD and downtown were used almost interchangeably because, functionally, downtowns were dominated by retail stores, office based businesses, professionals and government agencies, along with some hotels and maybe entertainment venues.

The U.S. city was built for the baby boom. Its bones were formed when the U.S. was in its final decades of legal apartheid and fleshed out over four decades of rising inequality. The baby boom is still here and will continue to shape cities, suburbs, and rural areas. But we now need to accommodate a new generation— the millennials—whose coming of age will require millions of new rental housing units. Where will this housing be built?

New Jersey Future's Redevelopment Forum is a daylong conference that brings together more than 500 municipal and state leaders and leading professionals in planning, development, law, transportation, architecture, construction, environmental conservation and historic preservation to share best practices and lessons learned.

Understanding the challenges andopportunities communities face—economic, social, and environmental—is a prerequisite for making investments that achieve their goals. To respond to this need, environmental justice stakeholders have begun developing analytical tools that can give communities rich and accessible information for supporting local goals for environmental protection and equitable development in cities and regions.

The Creative Placemaking Leadership Summit is one of the largest gatherings of people involved in the intersection of arts, culture, community improvement, and local economic development. In 2014, it attracted more than 250 people. They included public and elected officials, leaders of community based organizations, developers, urban planners, and leaders of cultural organizations and, of course, artists.

This session will explore the relationship of the short-term rental sector of the sharing economy to land use and tax regulation and social and economic factors in resort and destination communities.

Maintaining a variety of affordable housing types is a critical component of long-range community viability. This session will equip planners and public leaders with strategies for determining the type and volume of housing that is most needed, by whom and where, within the context of shifting demographics. The presenters will review affordable housing needs assessments they conducted in Colorado Springs, CO, the State of Washington and Westmoreland County, PA, and explain the approaches that were most successful in translating measured housing needs into community goals with targeted, practical action steps.

APA's National Planning Conference offers advanced sessions by top presenters — and a high return on your training dollars. Registration is now open for the planning profession's biggest event of the year — APA's 2016 National Planning Conference, April 2–5 in Phoenix. Register before March 4 and save $!