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June 3, 2020 |
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Like you, we're heartbroken and angry over the brutal, senseless killing of George Floyd, which amplifies the cumulative harm done to the black community and our nation by racism. This tragic event, and others like it, are an affront to the values of the planning profession and the American Planning Association's mission to create great communities for all.
At this pivotal moment, when our communities are reeling from the impacts of a global pandemic, the need to re-imagine the systems that serve the voiceless in our society for safety, health and prosperity is urgent. We must acknowledge the role that planning has played in creating and maintaining the structures that enable discrimination and oppression of communities of color, and we have a moral and ethical responsibility to right the wrongs of the past.
Late Sunday evening, May 31, we posted this message as an expression of our organization's initial reaction to the week's events, and how we move forward with renewed humility and focus
This is the first of what will be a number of expressions to the APA community in the coming days, weeks and months on the subject of equity as we seek to support efforts to increase understanding, empathy and constructive action leading to meaningful change.
While our words are inadequate and imperfect, it's our intention to convey deep care and concern for our black colleagues, their families and friends, the communities in which they live and work, and our commitment to learn and grow from this latest trauma.
We encourage you to share this message with your members and stakeholders, and welcome your feedback on how we can continue to communicate our concern, support and resolve to learn, grow and behave in ways that advance our goal of equitable, thriving communities for all. |
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RESOURCES |
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Policy Guide
Prioritizing equity-in-all-policies
Advocating for policies that directly address racial disparities in the built environment is the responsibility of planners working across all areas of the profession. APA's Planning for Equity Policy Guide — which provides specific, actionable policy guidance — is one tool that can aid planners working to help their communities recover in an equitable way. |
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Planning Viewpoint
Rewriting the urban planning canon
To understand the racial injustices that are ongoing today — and to avoid further deepening inequality — planners need to understand the history of the profession to make forward progress. In February's Planning viewpoint, Daphne Lundi encourages more inclusive planning curriculums and highlighting practitioners reimagining urban planning. |
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JAPA
Racial and class bias in zoning
Planners have an ethical obligation to promote equity, and their ability to do so depends on understanding sources of social injustice. In this article from the Journal of the American Planning Association, race historically played a role in upzonings and downzonings in Durham, North Carolina. Assessing past zoning practices in other cities may reveal similar records of bias and help planners pave the way forward for corrective action. |
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Planning Magazine
Voices of the pandemic
As the pandemic forced us physically apart, the planning community has come together. This special issue — focusing on voices of the pandemic — captures a snapshot of planners' personal experiences and professional challenges during this time of upheaval. In June's issue, find out how planners and communities are adapting to new ways of living and working. |
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Podcast
Immigrant experiences and economic development
In this episode of the People Behind the Plans podcast, Melbourne-based planner Samantha Choudhury discusses how her parents' immigration to Australia from Bangladesh shaped her planning for communities, how planning differs in the U.S. and Australia, and how business-improvement districts need focused management to succeed — especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. |
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APA Research
Planning For social equity
Planning for social equity means recognizing planning practices that have had a disparate impact on communities and actively working to address the impacts of those practices in collaboration with community residents. This Research KnowledgeBase offers resources that provide background, policy guidance, and examples of local plan recommendations and zoning standards for social equity from across the country. |
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Social Media
Online conversation on the intersection of place and race
"It is important that we amplify and implement the work of people and organizations that have already spoken loudly on the intersection of place and race." Keith Benjamin, Director of Charleston's Department of Traffic Transportation started a Twitter thread on what people have been doing to fight racism at its intersection with transportation. |
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OPPORTUNITIES |
June 19
Careers in transportation planning: A look ahead
On June 19 at 12 noon CT, join members of APA's Transportation Planning Division as they share on-the-job opportunities, take a look at current challenges, and reflect on the long-term effects of the pandemic on the field of transportation planning. CM | 1.0 |
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Interested in using planning interventions to help keep children safe?
APA is excited to offer access to a new, free online education module pilot to help planners in Louisiana, Texas, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands site early care centers to promote children's health. Planners will earn up to 2 CM credits for completing the course and providing feedback on the pilot materials. The course was developed through a collaboration between APA, NEHA and Region II Head Start. |
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AICP |
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Don't forget to close your reporting period
If you are still in the 2018–19 reporting period and have met the CM requirements, your CM Log has the option to review and sign-off. We want you to stay on track — close your 2018–19 reporting period and start logging CM for your 2020–21 reporting period.
CM reporting cycles, explained
There are a pair of two-year CM reporting cycles (2019–20 and 2020–21), and determining which one you're in is easy. Open your CM Log — you'll be able to view the start and end date for your assigned reporting period. Need help? Contact a CM customer service associate at AICPCM@planning.org. |
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YOUR MEMBERSHIP |
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Send questions or comments about Interact to interact@planning.org.
Interact is a member e-newsletter of the American Planning Association and its professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners.
Interested in advertising with APA? Contact rbarkin@townsend-group.com to learn more. |
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2020 American Planning Association. All rights reserved. |
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