APA Interact February 19, 2020

Weigh in on national hazard mitigation policy

More frequent and severe disasters are driving up costs, increasing risk, and reducing communities' overall safety — a reality that rings especially true for people residing in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Though planners are equipped with the knowledge to mitigate the impacts of these disasters, you depend on federal, state, and local governments to create the right policies and legislation to support and fund that work.

APA's Hazard Mitigation Policy Guide is due for an update and needs your review. Weigh in on the working draft — prepared by planners — to ensure that the right policy recommendations are captured. The ideas adopted in the guide will guide our advocacy on resilience moving forward. The comment deadline is March 10.

Global Planners Network reaffirms value of planning with Abu Dhabi Declaration

Convened by UN-Habitat, the 10th World Urban Forum in Abu Dhabi last week addressed the challenges of sustainable urbanization. APA, together with our partners in the Global Planners Network (GPN), hosted a session highlighting climate change and culminated in the issuing and joint signing of the Abu Dhabi Declaration. The declaration outlines the values and role of planners in regional and urban development and will help guide discussions with stakeholders and the general public to elevate understanding of planning and its key role in all communities. APA President Kurt Christiansen, FAICP, represented APA at the GPN events. Two other GPN members — President Dy Currie of the Commonwealth Association of Planners and President Eleanor Mohammed of the Canadian Institute of Planners — both spoke at the Habitat Professionals Roundtable.

Predatory inclusion in homeownership

Race for Profit by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor uncovers how exploitative real estate practices and policies meant to encourage low-income homeownership created new ways to exploit Black homeowners. Expand your understanding of U.S. racial discrimination in honor of Black History Month and borrow the e-book — free for all members — from the APA Library E-book Collection.

AICP certification maintenance updates

As part of its 10-year evaluation of the CM program, the AICP Commission has approved updates that ensure AICP-certified planners will continue to be leaders in the planning field, equipped with timely expertise and skills that help them bring value to their projects, employers, and communities.