APA-PA Southeast Section Blog

Submission deadlines are almost here for the Pennsylvania Chapter's Irving Hand Excellence in Planning Professional Development Award, which awards $2,500 annually for planners to enhance their expertise and/or develop new skills. Applications are due Friday, September 10.

The educational stipend may or may not cover all expenses associated within the professional development plan, but may be used to cover any portion of the recipient’s costs. Professional development may or may not include a degree-seeking program. Applicants are encouraged to consider educational pursuits that lead to a certification in professional planning or AICP designation. Judging will include the review of the individual’s professional development plan, as well as consideration of past projects and current workload.

All award details and the application form are attached. Good luck!

The Sept. 2 PDI event Hot Wheels: Urban and Suburban Strategies for Better Biking will discuss infrastructure, funding, and safety solutions for bicycling in the Philadelphia region. This has been a contentious issue lately, as demonstrated by those who strongly disagree with converting vehicle lanes to bicycle-dedicated use on Spruce and Pine Streets. This event will focus on why bicycle facilities are important to the region, where they will be expanded, and how new infrastructure will function for safer and better biking in Philadelphia.

In recent travels to Barcelona, I saw examples of how dedicated bicycle infrastructure functions on busy city streets. Pavement markings, buffers from vehicle traffic, and an increased awareness of bicycles on city streets can lead to a safe environment for all types of cyclists.

Spencer Finch from the Pennsylvania Environmental Council and John Boyle from the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia will discuss how Philadelphia is pursuing these concepts in roadway retrofit as well as trail and bike path expansion projects. Phil Ehlinger will discuss why Doylestown chose to accommodate cyclists by building an off-roadway path. Much of the path is built adjacent to the roadway and is used primarily for those making local trips. Doylestown is also pursuing Bicycle Friendly Community efforts, such as cycling-to-work day and cycle-friendly roadway infrastructure.

Please join us next Thursday to learn more about these issues in the Philadelphia region. Click here for all the details, or click here to register!

 

Our New Jersey colleagues have invited us over for a mixer! Hop over the bridge and see what all the Garden State has to offer planners.

Thursday, September 23

6 - 8:30 pm

PJ Whelihans

400 North Haddon Avenue

Haddonfield, NJ

PATCO - Westmont Station

RSVP to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it !

Friday, August 27

 

1:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

 

The PA Chapter's Professional Development Committee will be presenting a three-hour session to assist planners who are registered to take the APA's AICP exam, or considering taking the exam. The session will cover testing tips, a brief review of material on each of the exam's content areas, and additional sources for exam preparation. Submission of questions is encouraged throughout the session. Susan Elks, AICP, PA Chapter Professional Development Officer and Community Planner with the Chester County Planning Commission, and Christine Bartleson, AICP, PA Chapter Professional Development Committee member and Community Planner with the City of Bethlehem, will be presenting.

To register go to https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/915277523

 

 

Hot Wheels: Urban and Suburban Strategies for Better Biking

Case Studies: Philadelphia Region, Doylestown, and the City of Philadelphia

This event will introduce planners and bicycle advocates alike to the existing bicycle facilities in the Philadelphia region from urban and suburban perspectives. The presentations will address the why trails and bicycle facilities are important to the region, safe riding strategies, maintenance and construction costs, and funding for new construction, and plans to expand the regional bicycle network.

1. Growing and Funding Regional Bicycle Facilities
   Spencer Finch, Pennsylvania Environmental Council
2. Doylestown Community Bike & Hike System
   Phil Ehlinger, Doylestown Assistant Borough Manager, Planning Director, Zoning Officer and Building Code Official
3. Biking Philadelphia
   John Boyle, Advocacy Director, Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia

Date: Thursday, September 2, 2010
Time: 8:00AM Registration + Continental Breakfast
8:30AM - 12:00PM Program

Location: DVRPC Conference Center
190 N. Independence Mall West, 8th Floor,
Philadelphia, PA

Cost: $20 (APA-PA Members)
$30 (Non-APA-PA Members)

Credit**: 3 AICP CM Credits (** anticipated)

Click Here to Register! Or download the document below for more details.

Now you can join the brand-new Southeast Section group page for the American Planning Association, Pennsylvania Chapter on LinkedIn!

Click here to join, and you can post discussion topics, post job openings, look for job openings, and connect to other members. The group is open to all.

 

Kid Friendly City: Planning for Play Places

Case Studies: Healthy Parks and Playgrounds Initiative in Cambridge, MA and Sister Cities Park

and Greening Greenfield in Philadelphia, PA

Researchers and scientists who study children at play assert that free, unstructured play is not only a way to burn calories; it is a central part of neurological growth and development. Come to this 3-part seminar to hear how planners and designers in Philadelphia are responding to the need for play and integrating play into natural areas in the City. In Cambridge, MA, the City has successfully launched a task force to create a policy framework to address the need for play, called the Healthy Parks and Playgrounds Initiative. In Center City, the mini-baby boom has spurred an increased effort by the Center City District to improve schools and amenities for kids. Hear about Center City District’s most recent project, the renovation of Logan Square’s Sister Cities Park, which incorporates a natural play place for young children. Also learn how parents and administrators at the Greenfield School in Center City are working to transform their asphalt school yard with standard play equipment into an environmentally friendly school yard with edible gardens, stormwater education features and a more naturalized playground. Both of these efforts are in sync with the City’s most recent effort, Green2015, to create 500 new acres of green space in the City by 2015.

 

The APA PA SE Section, Professional Development Institute presents:

Large-Scale Infill Development in Philadelphia: The Piazza and Liberties Walk

Tower Investments, Inc. has been the most influential developer in the transformation of the Northern Liberties over the past ten years. Their projects include 600 residential units, 120,000 square feet of retail space and 130,000 square feet of office space at the cost of $150 million. Hear perspectives from both the developer of the site as well as the Neighborhood Association on the vision, process, and implementation of this significant infill development and how they worked together to create a vibrant sense of place within the community.

The session includes a presentation from Bart Blatstein of Tower Investments and Larry Freedman of the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Association as well as a walking tour of the Piazza, Liberties Walk, and the adjacent neighborhood. Hang out after the PDI session to watch the Phillies play the Cleveland Indians on the big screen at the Piazza!

Next Tuesday, June 22, 2010, 4pm-6:30pm

The Piazza at Schmidts

2.5 AICP Credits (anticipated)

$10 APA PA Members, $15 APA PA Non-Members

Click here to register by Monday, June 21, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Bring Cash or Check (made payable to PPA SE) to the Event.

In this time of economic distress and resulting budget cuts, PA Chapter of APA recognizes the pressing need to advocate for the restoration of land use planning and technical assistance support from the commonwealth. Planners Unite is working to elevate the profile of the planning professional and impart a working knowledge of planning’s necessity and impact to our elected officials.

Current Mission: To advocate for the restoration of land use planning and technical assistance support from the commonwealth.

Write to your local legislator today to tell them why you're concerned about the level of LUPTAP funding.

Click here to:

• Read what the state chapter has done so far on the issue
• Read case studies on Why Planning Matters
• Get information about Pennsylvania's budget
• Read summaries of Planners Unite committee meetings

What can you do to take action?

• Send a message to your state legislators and other government officials:
  This letter was mailed by PA Chapter President Alex Graziani to all members of the PA State House and Senate. Feel free to modify the letter with your own comments and experiences about the value of planning and send to your state legislators and other government officials. Find your legislators at the PA General Assembly website.
  
  
• Submit a Why Planning Matters Case Study:
  We welcome additional submissions that illustrate the efficient use of planning funds (through any state program) with quantifiable outcomes. Contact Joy Ruff at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.
  
  
• Join the Planners Unite Committee:
  We welcome additional members to the Planners Unite Committee. If you would like to become a part of Planners Unite, contact Shannon Debes of the Southwest Section at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  
  
• Visit APA’s resources:
  http://www.planning.org/advocacy/index.htm
  
  Planners' Communications Guide
  www.planning.org/communicationsguide
  Planners' Communications Guide: Strategies, Examples, and Tools for Everyday Practice has been written and published to help APA members reach and deliver positive, values-based messages about planning and APA to targeted audiences.

With the budget due July 1, there's no time to lose!

PA-APA Southeast members: It’s summer and it’s happy hour time. On June 16th from 5 – 7pm meet with your fellow young planners and take advantage of the Center City District Summer Sips discounts on cocktails and appetizers at XIX on the 19th floor of the Bellevue at Broad and Walnut.

Specials include:
Lager
Miller Lite
Wine
Arnold Palmer
Pomegranite Margarita
Southern Spiked Tea
BBQ Pork and Chicken Sliders

Past and prospective participants of the PA APA SE Mentorship Program are particularly encouraged to stop by and renew connections.