American Planning Association

Latest Episodes:

The Future of Transportation Planning with Beneeta Mary Jose Mar 13, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Trend Talk series, a companion podcast for APA's 2025 Trend Report for Planners, Joe DeAngelis, AICP, research manager at the American Planning Association, chats with recent graduate and current transportation planner, Beneeta Mary Jose. The two explore the latest trends in micromobility, electrification, and the essential balance between proactive and reactive planning. Beneeta also shares her thoughts on how young professionals are shaping the transportation landscape, the importance of including children's perspectives, and the visionary future of an integrated, sustainable, and human-centric transportation network.

Episode URL: https://planning.org/podcast/the-future-of-transportation-with-beneeta-mary-jose/

Empowering Youth and the Urban Planning Pipeline with Annette Koh and David Salazar, FAICP Mar 06, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the APA podcast, host Dina Walters is joined by David Salazar, FAICP, and Annette Koh to discuss an initiative in Long Beach, California, that is looking to pave the way for future urban planners. Through engaging youth in high schools and teen centers, the program introduces students to the world of urban planning, providing them with tools and knowledge to improve their communities. David and Annette discuss the origins of the program, its growth, the partnerships that have made it possible, and the impact it has had on both the students and the city. Learn how this innovative program is creating a pipeline for future planning professionals and fostering the next generation of community leaders.

This episode is sponsored by: University of Michigan Engineering

Episode URL: https://planning.org/podcast/empowering-youth-and-the-urban-planning-pipeline-with-annette-koh-and-david-salazar-faicp/

Building Community and Purpose: Leah Rothstein on Just Action Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

In this special NPC25 episode of the APA podcast, host Michael Brown, AICP, conference committee chair for NPC25, engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Leah Rothstein. Leah is co-author along with her father, Richard Rothstein, on the book Just Action, and has specialized in community development and affordable housing policy, practice, and finance throughout her career. Leah delves into the challenges in addressing critical issues surrounding race, housing, and community equity, emphasizing the importance of building relationships, engaging in service, and finding purpose. As a keynote speaker at the 2025 National Planning Conference (NPC 25), Leah offers a sneak peek into her upcoming talk and highlights the significance of local action in advancing equity and making a positive impact on your community.

This episode is sponsored by AARP

Episode URL: https://planning.org/podcast/building-community-and-purpose-leah-rothstein-on-just-action/

Tom Pace on Zoning Reform and Housing Innovation in Sacramento Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

Sacramento, California, is at the forefront of zoning reform, tackling some of the biggest challenges in housing supply and affordability. Tom Pace, the city’s director of community development, shares how the city has embraced policies to remove barriers to housing production, modernize outdated regulations, and promote sustainable growth. And, he offers ideas for how other places can approach zoning reform to build more equitable and livable communities.

In this episode of People Behind the Plans, Pace shares insights on the city’s ambitious approach to infill and transit-oriented housing, as well as how to eliminate parking requirements and simplify the approval process for new developments. He also reflects on the evolution of Sacramento’s General Plan and how planners can balance community engagement with bold policy changes. Tune in for an in-depth discussion on the power of planning to shape more accessible and vibrant cities.

Episode URL: https://planning.org/podcast/tom-pace-on-zoning-reform-and-housing-innovation-in-sacramento/

Critical Conversations in Transportation Planning: CNT's Nina Idemudia, AICP and Jacky Grimshaw Feb 13, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Critical Conversations in Transportation Planning, hosts Divya Gandhi and Em Hall interview Jacky Grimshaw and Nina Idemudia, AICP, from the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) in Chicago. They discuss the evolution of transportation planning, the importance of community engagement, and the emergence of millennial leadership in the planning profession. Jacky shares her extensive experience in advocating for citizen participation in transportation planning, while Nina reflects on her journey from growing up in Detroit to serving as CNT's CEO, and emphasizes the need for planners to address structural inequities. Together, they highlight CNT's innovative approaches and ongoing efforts to create equitable and sustainable urban environments.

Episode URL: https://planning.org/podcast/critical-conversations-in-transportation-planning-cnt-nina-idamudia-aicp-and-jacky-grimshaw/

The Future of Public Sector Planning with APA President Sue Schwartz, FAICP Feb 06, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Trend Talk series, a companion podcast for APA's 2025 Trend Report for Planners, Joe DeAngelis, AICP, Research Manager at the American Planning Association, chats with APA President, Sue Schwartz, FAICP. The two discuss the evolving landscape of public sector planning and delve into current hiring challenges, the impact of political polarization on community engagement, and the importance of personal resiliency for planners. Sue shares insights on managing technological changes, balancing remote and in-office work, and preparing for future trends in the profession. Join us for an enlightening conversation on the crucial role of planners in shaping resilient and equitable communities.

Episode URL: https://planning.org/podcast/the-future-of-public-sector-planning-with-apa-president-sue-schwartz-faicp/

Nico Larco and Kaarin Knudson on Demystifying Sustainable Urban Design Dec 17, 2024

Show notes

Planners have a difficult job. In addition to being experts on their own technical field of planning, they must also understand a variety of other disciplines — like architecture, landscape and ecology to name just a few. These fields are complex in their own right, and planners must consider and translate these concepts for laypeople and elected officials alike. Nico Larco experienced this information overload firsthand and decided to build a resource to compile and contextualize the essential elements of sustainable design. The result was The Sustainable Urban Design Handbook, which he co-authored with Kaarin Knudson.

Episode URL: https://planning.org/podcast/nico-larco-and-kaarin-knudson-on-demystifying-sustainable-urban-design/

Housing Supply Accelerator: An Interview with Mortgage Bankers Association President and CEO Robert Broeksmit Dec 09, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the Housing Supply Accelerator series, Emily Pasi, Director of Public Affairs at the American Planning Association, chats with Robert Broeksmit, President and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association. The two discuss why MBA joined the Housing Supply Accelerator; how the economics of the housing crisis impacts the real estate finance industry; the importance of bringing the lending community's voice to the table when crafting policy; how local government can

close housing development finance gaps; public-private partnerships as a financing solution; demystifying housing finance for community planners, and much more.

Episode URL: https://planning.org/podcast/housing-supply-accelerator-an-interview-with-mortgage-bankers-association-president-and-ceo-robert-broeksmit/

American Farmland Trust's Julia Freedgood on Planning Sustainable Food Systems for All People Oct 15, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of People Behind the Plans, Julia Freedgood, author of Planning Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems, talks about the complex and fragile web behind the food we eat, and the important role planning plays, especially in rural areas. Freedgood, a senior fellow and senior program advisor at the American Farmland Trust, digs into rural and urban agriculture, food insecurity, and even how renewable energy production can be at odds with food production. Always optimistic, she'll share how planners can shift their mindset toward comprehensive food systems planning and offer guidance on addressing food challenges.

Episode URL: https://planning.org/podcast/american-farmland-trusts-julia-freedgood-on-planning-sustainable-food-systems-for-all-people/

Housing Supply Accelerator: An Interview With National Association of Realtors President Kevin Sears Sep 30, 2024

Show notes

In this third episode of the series, Emily Pasi, Director of Public Affairs at the American Planning Association, chats with Kevin Sears, President of the National Association of Realtors. The two discuss how real estate professionals have been specifically impacted by the housing crisis, what barriers and opportunities exist for growing the nation's housing supply, and why it is important for NAR to be a partner in the Housing Supply Accelerator.

Episode URL: https://planning.org/podcast/housing-supply-accelerator-an-interview-with-national-association-of-realtors-president-kevin-sears/

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

American Planning Association

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected