APA-PA Southeast Section Blog

 

APAPA-SE is happy to announce the establishment of a new group that focuses on individuals who are emerging professionals in the planning field. This group, which will work within the local chapter, will have a variety of functions: it will host events for individuals to network and will help to provide direction for those who are just starting their career.

In terms of social events, thus far, this group is hoping to plan:

 

• -          Happy hours
• -          Walking tours
• -          Meet-ups at lectures
• -          Meet-ups at exhibits

 

The professional side of this group will:

 

• -          Offer one-on-one resume review
• -          Connect emerging planners with individuals who can offer career advice
• -          Help emerging planners with their AICP certification

 

The first social event will be a kick-off happy hour on February 7, 2012 from 5:30-8:30 at the Field House (1150 Filbert Street Philadelphia, PA 19107).

 

The Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association Southeast Section (APAPASE) announces the student scholarship awards program for 2012.  This year’s program is targeted to graduate students enrolled in a planning program within the Delaware Valley.  Papers must be generated through graduate level studios and/or class/course assignments.

Students are encouraged to submit papers generated since September of 2011 (individual and group) on topics and issues relevant to the Delaware Valley Region.  Eligible papers can address contemporary planning-related topics, such as sustainability, Smart Growth, and energy planning, and should include methods for achieving implementation.

The Task Force will give you the chance to:

• inform DVRPC's Board and staff of local issues and challenges;
• participate in public service in a meaningful way;
• address specific policy issues of concern to DVRPC;
• recommend potential projects to the Commission;
• offer recommendations regarding public engagement;
• share DVRPC information with your community and county; and
• network with a dynamic group of regional leaders and citizens.

The Task Force is a group comprised of representatives selected from the general public, community and civic organizations, advocacy groups, professional associations, and the private sector. Twelve members of the Task Force will be chosen through an application/interview process. Applicants must reside within DVRPC's nine-county planning area. An interest in planning, as well as knowledge of regional issues, civic engagement, diversity of experience, and effective communication skills are also beneficial for membership. The Task Force's membership will be supplemented with 12 additional delegates, as appointed by the DVRPC Board, to guarantee geographic diversity.

Any questions related to the Public Participation Task Force should be directed to Jane M. Meconi, AICP, Public Involvement Manager, at 215-238-2871 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

Seniors on the Move: Innovation Around Transportation

CM credits: 2 (requested)

presenting organizations: Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, GenPhilly

location: DVRPC, 190 N. Independence Mall West, 8th Fl., Philadelphia, PA 19106

Fee: free

Registration details: http://gptransportation.eventbrite.com/

website for more information and event brochure: see attached pdf.

 

The Philadelphia2035 Planning process reached another milestone last night with the release of the draft West Park District Plan and Lower South District Plan at a special Planning Commission Meeting at the Center for Architecture. Mayor Nutter and Deputy Mayor Alan Greenberger introduced the plans, which offer specific planning recommendations for facilities, economic development, park and open space, transportation networks, and infrastructure enhancements for the two districts. These are the first two district plans as part of the Philadelphia2035 effort and will be followed this year by the Center City District and Lower Northeast District.

Public comment is welcome until March 1st. Final adoption of the plans is scheduled for March 20th. Please click here to access the plan documents and email your comments to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

See PlanPhilly's coverage of the event, including video, here.

Just a handful of job listings this week, but there's some interesting (if far flung) stuff in here. Check it out.

1) Planner - City of Newark - Newark, NJ

2) Easement Coordinator - Chestnut Hill Historical Society - Philadelphia

3) Afterschool Academic Support Instructor - Urban Nutrition Initiative - Philadelphia

4) Finance Director - New Kensington Community Development Corporation - Philadelphia

5) Planner Senior - Lancaster County Planning Commission - Lancaster, PA

Full descriptions after the jump!

WHAT:                 Keith Russell of the Audubon Pennsylvania will speak about the dangers facing migrating birds, as part of the Bird’s Eye View exhibit at Tyler School of Art. The winner of the juried Bird’s Eye View exhibit will be announced following the talk. The event is free and open to the public.

WHEN:                 Thursday, February 9th at 11:00 a.m.

WHERE:               Tyler School of Art, Room B-04, 2011 North 13th Street in Philadelphia

DETAILS:              Bird’s Eye View, an initiative of the Graphic & Interactive Design program at Tyler School of Art, aims to raise awareness of this problem at Temple and across the city of Philadelphia and to explore visual options for effective window film patterns. This exhibition includes the work of design students at the sophomore, junior and senior levels. The brief for this project was to design a pattern that would be conceptually and visually compelling for human viewers while being an effective deterrent to birds that might otherwise fly directly into the windows where they are installed.

 

Local AICP members might be interested in our Ed Bacon Awards Ceremony and Reception, being held at the Center for Architecture Wednesday, February 01, 6-9pm. This year we will be honoring Janette Sadik-Khan, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation, with our Edmund N. Bacon prize. Ms. Sadik-Khan is responsible for the closure of Times Square to vehicular traffic and for the installation of over 250 miles of bike lanes in Manhattan, among other accomplishments. She will be present to receive the award and speak to attendees about transportation issues facing major cities. And of course, we will also be honoring the student winners of the 2011 Ed Bacon Student Design Competition, INSTERSECT: When Transportation Corridors and Cities Collide.

Ed Bacon Awards Ceremony & Reception Honoring Janette Sadik-Khan

Wednesday, February 01

6 – 9 pm

at the Philadelphia Center for Architecture

 

Registration Required: http://www.cvent.com/events/ed-bacon-awards-ceremony-2011/event-summary-b0c4bee25d574b50ba9b817c2a3d140e.aspx

$75 General Public

$50 AIA/CFA Members

$25 Students (w/ valid ID)

 

As a complement to the Certification Maintenance (CM) focused Chapters, Divisions, and Universities Planning Webcast Series, several webinars have been developed that are focused on preparation for the AICP exam.   Experienced instructors from the Illinois, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina chapters will present these free sessions during February and March 2012.  The sessions will start Feb 10th and continue through March 30th on Fridays from 9:00 to 11:00 am EST.  Content will include:  exam overview, spatial analysis, functional areas, public participation and social justice, plan making and implementation, research and quantitative methods, planning law, AICP Code of Ethics, and planning law and history.  We hope to record these sessions and make them available after the presentations, but this is not guaranteed at this time.  Registration is through the links provided below.  Additional information on the sessions will be posted to the PA Chapter website soon (www.planningpa.org).

Register for a session now by clicking a date below:

• Exam Overview and Spatial Analysis:  Fri, Feb 10, 2012 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST
• Functional Areas:  Fri, Feb 17, 2012 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST

 

Additional topics will be presented on the following dates:

• Fri, Feb 24, 2012 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST
• Fri, Mar 2, 2012 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST
• Fri, Mar 9, 2012 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST
• Fri, Mar 16, 2012 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EDT
• Fri, Mar 23, 2012 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EDT
• Fri, Mar 30, 2012 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EDT

The PA Chapter is holding its annual in-person AICP Exam prep session on February 25th, 9 am – 4 pm, in Harrisburg.  This session is free for PA Chapter members and $15 for non-members.  This session is targeted at those who are taking the test in May or November of 2012, and will provide testing tips as well as an overview of material within each content area of the exam.  Information will be provided on history, law, theory, plan implementation, functional areas, public participation, social justice, spatial areas and ethics.  Resources will be identified to assist attendees with their studies and questions are encouraged.  Details and registration information can be found here:  http://www.planningpa.org/AICP_Prep_Session_General_Info.pdf