Celebrating Communities: October is National Community Planning Month

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) September 26, 2007 -- From where you live to how you commute, community planning plays a major role in your daily life?often more than you may realize. This October, celebrate your community and the many individuals who help make your neighborhood special during National Community Planning Month.

Designated by the American Planning Association (APA), the month-long celebration honors the process and the individuals involved in creating communities that are desirable places to work, live and recreate.

This year?s theme, Great Streets, Great Neighborhoods, recognizes three important building blocks of great communities, the streets, neighborhoods and people who make communities special.

?Planning is a necessity, not an option for communities,? said Jeff Soule, FAICP, Outreach and International Director at APA. ?Good planning provides residents with more choices, healthy communities and protection from manmade or natural disasters.?

A variety of events are planned to celebrate National Community Planning Month:

?    Great Places in America Program

A new designation program designed to celebrate places of exceptional character, quality and planning. Find out what streets and neighborhoods were deemed ?great? on October 2.

More at: www.planning.org/greatplaces/

?    Federal Policy & Program Briefing (September 30 to October 1)

Planners will discuss possible federal legislation impacts on a variety of planning decisions such as climate change, affordable housing and the farm bill reauthorization.

?    Planners? Day on Capitol Hill (October 2)

Planners will meet with legislators to discuss the importance of planning.

?    High School Essay Contest

The contest encourages high school students to learn about planning in their own community. More at www.planning.org/institutions/hsessay.htm

?    AICP Symposium: ?The Art of Making Great Places Green Places?

(October 23, National Building Museum)

The symposium will examine the elements of great places and the connection between place making and green planning. More at www.planning.org/symposium/2007.htm.

?    Local and regional events

Find a celebration in your neighborhood at www.planning.org/ncpm/07reportedactivities.htm

?We hope individuals will take the time this October to learn more about the importance of planning in their community,? said Soule. ?Good planning practices really contribute to making a great neighborhood.?

The American Planning Association and its professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners, are dedicated to advancing the art, science and profession of good planning -- physical, economic and social -- so as to create communities that offer better choices for where and how people work and live. Members of APA help create communities of lasting value and encourage civic leaders, business interests and citizens to play a meaningful role in creating communities that enrich people's lives. APA has offices in Washington, D.C. and Chicago, Ill. For more information, visit its website at www.planning.org.

Contact:

Roberta Rewers, APA

312-786-6395

rrewers @ planning.org

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