2024 National Planning Awards
2024 National Planning Excellence Awards
Congratulations to this year's National Planning Award recipients, whose achievements highlight planners' best efforts to create stronger, healthier, and more just communities.
Read more about these exemplary planning projects
Awards Jury
The jury is tasked with reviewing all of the award nominations and identifying the ones worthy of receiving national honor and recognition.
Jury chair
Emily Liu, FAICP
Emily Liu, FAICP, is a distinguished urban planning and design figure boasting nearly three decades of experience across Kentucky, Illinois, and Ohio. Notably, she served over a decade as Planning Director for the Louisville Metro Government, overseeing various planning facets and spearheading the acclaimed Zoning Reform initiative. Her expertise spans long-range planning, zoning, housing, transportation, urban design, and historic preservation. Emily holds a master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning from George Washington University, complemented by master's and bachelor's degrees in Geography from Peking University, solidifying her status as a national leader in the field.
Amy Brooks, AICP
Amy Brooks, AICP, is the Executive Director of Knoxville-Knox County Planning, bringing over two decades of planning expertise to her role. Leading diverse teams and projects across the U.S., she has spearheaded comprehensive planning initiatives in the Knoxville area for the past seventeen years, covering the City, Knox County, and the wider region. Amy plays a pivotal role in shaping the region's development trajectory and is actively engaged in local and state planning associations, dedicating her time to community service initiatives.
Meg Bower, AICP
Meg Bower, AICP, is the founder and principal planner at Trunk Branch Twig Bud, LLC. With 27 years of experience, specializing in bridging the gap between public sector agencies and traditional A&E services, particularly within the justice system. She is passionate about collaboration, and creative problem-solving solutions that align capital facilities to current processes while reaching forward to deepen access. Meg received her bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and her master's in public administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. She has been a longtime member of APA and received her AICP in 2007.
Robert J. Duffy, FAICP
Bob Duffy, FAICP, has led a distinguished planning practice marked by a unique and diversified journey focused on public service and strategic leadership within planning organizations. Throughout his career, he has remained steadfast in ensuring that planning plays a lasting role in fostering sustainable and equitable futures for communities. With experience as a planning director and commissioner across various regions including the Midwest, Northeast, New England, and Florida, Bob most recently held the position of Planning Director for Arlington County, Virginia. His award-winning planning initiatives have garnered recognition from APA, professional organizations, elected officials, planning commissions, non-profit organizations, civic leaders, neighborhood associations, and citizen planners dedicated to community betterment.
Ivan Wesley Holloway
Ivan Wesley Holloway serves as the Executive Director of Urban Impact, Inc., based in Birmingham, Alabama. He holds a BS and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, AL. Before his tenure at Urban Impact, he led A Step Forward in Baltimore, and served as the past vice president and managing director of Seedco Financial Alabama (TruFund Financial), pioneering the state's inaugural CDFI loan fund. Additionally, he contributed as an assistant city planner for the City of Athens, Alabama.
Beneetta Mary Jose
Beneetta Mary Jose, LEED Green Associate (she/her) is a recent planning graduate from the University of South Florida and working as a transportation planner at Fehr and Peers (Orlando office). She graduated with a bachelor's degree in architecture from India. Beneetta has a keen interest in resilience and transportation. She has been awarded various scholarships and awards. She also serves as the American Planning Association Student Representative Council Region 3 representative. At the 2023 APA National Student Design Competition held in Philadelphia, the team led by Beneetta was placed third. This is her second year volunteering at the Awards Jury.
Yogesh A. Saoji, AICP
Yogesh Saoji, AICP, is the Global Planning Leader at DLR Group, a prominent integrated design firm in the US and abroad. With a career spanning over three decades, Yogesh is a seasoned senior planner, urban designer, and architect. He plays a pivotal role in shaping and advancing the planning discipline within the organization. Yogesh's expertise encompasses a wide array of projects, from campus planning to transportation initiatives, characterized by collaborative efforts with diverse stakeholders. He is deeply committed to socially and ecologically responsive planning, as evidenced by his involvement with various allied organizations addressing issues of social justice and equity. Recognized for his leadership and contributions, Yogesh embodies a commitment to inclusive and sustainable urban development.
Rameen Sherazi
Plnr. Rameen Sherazi is a dedicated urban planner. Upon completing studies in urban planning, Rameen embarked on research in Germany, exploring methods to preserve historical sites within city planning frameworks. With a focus on fostering cities' growth while maintaining their unique historical fabric, Rameen's work centers on promoting sustainability and inclusivity. Serving as a jury member for the APA Awards, Rameen is honored to contribute to recognizing outstanding achievements in urban planning and design. Being part of such a prestigious program allows Rameen to celebrate the dedicated efforts of planning professionals and advocate for best practices in urban planning worldwide.
Ranu Singh
Ranu Singh is an architect, urban designer, and planner known for her research-based design and policy solutions that harmonize sustainability, equity, and well-being with functional aesthetics. An MIT post-graduate, she practices at NBBJ, focusing on healthcare, educational campuses, urban design, visioning, and planning projects. Her prior projects span housing, civic, and cultural design. Ranu's scholarly contributions include research papers and books, particularly on sustainable urban design and planning for South Asian cities and urban regions. Ranu's work reflects a deep commitment to shaping environments that foster community and environmental stewardship.
Michelle R. Stearns, AICP
Michelle R. Stearns, AICP, brings over 40 years of extensive planning and development expertise, having served as both a Community Development Director and a distinguished private consultant in Washington and Alaska. Throughout her career in the Pacific Northwest, she collaborated with public agencies and private developers on many projects, spanning coastal, land use, housing, commercial, and environmental conservation initiatives. She facilitated the preservation of over 3000 acres of farmland in the San Juan Islands, Washington, by securing development rights in perpetuity. Michelle holds a bachelor's degree in fine arts from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a master's degree in urban planning (with a focus on Urban Design) from the University of Washington-Seattle. She is a lifelong member of APA and AICP, having held various leadership roles, including Chair and Vice-Chair of the Women and Planning Division, and contributing as the Local Host Program Co-Chair for the 1999 APA Seattle National Conference.
Scott Turner, AICP
Scott Turner, AICP, is the Director of Planning at Environmental Partners in Quincy, Massachusetts, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, a registered professional engineer in six states, and a LEED Accredited Professional in Neighborhood Development. His 25+ year career includes the planning, design, and permitting of private development sites, stormwater management and green infrastructures, and climate change resilience projects. He is a past Chair of APA's Sustainable Communities Division and a member of the Planning and Water Network Steering Committee. He is also the local host subcommittee chair for NPC21.