Design Thinking in Planning Interest Group

WHO WE ARE

The APA Design Thinking in Planning Interest Group is a community of planners and practitioners united by a shared belief - that great planning begins with empathy and a genuine commitment to understanding the people and communities we serve. Recognizing that human-centered approaches are essential to the future of the profession, our group unites Design Thinkers from across the planning discipline to share knowledge, build skills, and advance a more thoughtful and equitable planning practice.

Whether you are new to Design Thinking or have been practicing it for years, we invite you to join our growing community of planners committed to doing their work with a sense of greater purpose, creativity, and heart.

Connect with us on LinkedIn, browse our APA Knowledge Base, and sharpen your skills in our Design ThinkTanks held on the third Thursday of every month, 3:00-4:00 PM EST via Google Meet!

Join the Interest Group

Click here to learn more about our Interest Group, Leadership Team, and Working Groups

WHAT WE DO

Rooted in human-centered principles, Design Thinking is a structured yet adaptive methodology for identifying, exploring, and resolving complex challenges - while keeping the people most affected by planning decisions at the center of every stage in the process.

Our Interest Group advances Design Thinking across the planning profession through outreach, events, collaboration, publications, and by supporting other Interest Groups and Divisions. Through our four Working Groups — Advocacy & Partnership Development, Community of Practice, Education & Training, and Publications & Research — we create practical pathways for planners to integrate Design Thinking into their everyday work.

WHY IT MATTERS

What makes Design Thinking particularly powerful is its iterative nature. Rather than prescribing a fixed answer, it guides planners through a dynamic process of questioning assumptions, uncovering preferences, and stress-testing ideas against what is truly desirable, viable, feasible, and responsible. Design Thinking enhances not just the solutions planners arrive at - but the instincts and reasoning they bring to every problem they face.

For planners who prioritize meaningful, community-driven work - Design Thinking provides practitioners with the framework to address complex problems in a thoughtful, intentional way while bringing stakeholders, shareholders, and key players together at the same table.

WORKING GROUPS

No matter where you are on your Design Thinking journey, there is a place for you here. We are always looking for passionate planners to join us - as members, contributors, and Working Group leaders alike.

Our Working Groups include:

• Advocacy & Partnership Development
• Community of Practice
• Education & Training
• Publications & Research

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Executive Director

Kayla Barbour, MCP LFA

Kayla Barbour is a sustainability-focused planner who began practicing Design Thinking in 2017 via the Berea College Entrepreneurship for the Public Good and Stanford University Innovation Fellows programs. In 2022, Kayla completed her Master's in Community Planning at the University of Cincinnati DAAP School of Planning. As founder of ECOPACITY Planning, she strives to integrate Design Thinking within projects relevant to spatial analytics, land use planning, and economic development for private and public entities alike. Kayla is driven to immerse design thinking methodologies within the Planning field, and she's honored to serve as Executive Director of the interest group.

EDUCATION & TRAINING WORKING GROUP LEAD

Jessica Phillips

Jessica Phillips is a human-centered strategist and design thinker with a background in engineering, project management, and civic innovation. Her interdisciplinary career blends systems thinking with creative problem-solving to reimagine how we plan, build, and serve communities. Jessica's approach is rooted in empathy, equity, and curiosity, shaping everything from infrastructure to public services with people at the center. She brings experience in both federal and local government settings and is passionate about integrating design thinking into urban planning practice. Jessica is excited to support this interest group and help champion more inclusive, responsive, and imaginative planning systems.

COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Bren Forester

Brendan "Bren" Forester is a people leader who thrives at the intersection of design, research, and strategy. He believes the most impactful solutions emerge when creative problem-solving meets rigorous analysis and human-centered thinking. His journey began in visual communications, where he developed a strong design foundation. He continued his education with an MBA to understand business strategy and an MA to strengthen leadership capabilities. He has discovered that the magic happens when you get the right mix of people together, ask distinctive questions, and are not afraid to scrap your favorite idea if the data says otherwise.

Volunteer

The Design Thinking in Planning Interest Group is seeking volunteers to serve as:

• Advocacy & Partnership Development Working Group Lead
• Community of Practice Working Group Lead
• Publications & Research Working Group Lead

Resources

APA Design Thinking Series

Design Thinking— a PAS Quicknotes by Thomas Fisher

Design Thinking: New Approach to Solving Planning Challenges

American Planning Association Research KnowledgeBase

Contact Us

If you have any questions or if you would like to get involved, please contact us at designthinkinginplanning@gmail.com

LinkedIn