A planning student project at the University of Texas at Austin has been selected to receive an AICP Student Project Award for Applied Research. The awards recognize outstanding class projects or papers by a student or group of students in Planning Accreditation Board-accredited planning programs that contribute to advances in the field of planning.

This awards program is intended to recognize exceptional work by the student(s). While it is appropriate to submit a project or paper on which a faculty member(s) has given guidance, the submission should be primarily the work of the students.

Award for Applied Research: "Ethnobotany, Gender and Comprehensive Planning" Read more about the project here.

Awarded to University of Texas at Austin
Student Project Team: Kendal Asuncion, Samantha Kattan, Sara McTarnaghan, Rachel Nolley, Rebecca Rinas, Sam Siegel, Kelly Strickler, Sam Tabory, Adam Torres
Faculty Adviser: Bjorn Sletto

Do you have an innovative project, plan  or study that you would like to present to your professional peers?   The Session Proposal Form is available HERE!  Conference dates are October 7-9, 2015, in Galveston, Texas.

The Conference Committee is inviting proposals for speakers and presentations to be included in the conference program.  The conference will include a range of topics and speakers with a variety of experiences and backgrounds, including leading experts and practitioners, as well as young and emerging professionals with new ideas. The quality of the conference program and events is recognized not only in Texas, but nationally. The 2013 Galveston, Texas APA Conference had over 800 attendees.

If you are interested in submitting a Session Proposal, it should be structured to run 1.5 hours. Preference will be given to sessions that appear to be eligible for AICP Certification Maintenance (CM) credits.

The APA East Texas Section is a sponsor of the 2015 East Texas Preservation Weekend!

Tour historic Tyler and attend presentations during the East Texas Preservation Weekend March 26-28. Click here to see a schedule of activities and event information. Some events require tickets. Event registration options range from only $25 - $125!

Photo by Kevin Young.

Focus North Texas is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year. The symposium is incorporating a half day of mobile workshops, in addition to the full day of traditional sessions. Our keynote speaker this year is Mike Lydon, who’s book Tactical Urbanism was just released.

Invite your staff to join us, as well as your elected officials as we offer a track for them as well. For more information, please visit http://nctapa.org/events-and-training/focus-north-texas/.

Join us where it all started, at the APA Texas Chapter Reception in Seattle!

Kell’s Irish Pub
Monday, April 20, 7:00 to 9:00 PM
1916 Post Alley -- Pike Place Market
Free Drink Tickets and Appetizers, followed by Cash Bar

BACK TO THE FUTURE:
In 1999, the first APA Texas Chapter Reception at the APA National Conference was held in Seattle, when Texas planners and friends gathered at Kell’s Pub to celebrate our first Class of AICP Fellows. 16 years later, join us again at Kell’s to continue the APA journey.

Click here for full details!             

March 13, 2015 was the last day for filing bills and joint resolutions other than local bills, emergency appropriations, and bills that have been declared an emergency by the governor.  This list has all Planning and Development related bills of the bills filed (5140) as of this morning.  The Texas Municipal League (TML) was expecting at least another 900. So, there should be a record number.  We will add some next week that we may have missed and update the committee status.  Be sure to look at the “Liberty City” legislation and the ½ mile ETJ legislation for all cities to get an idea how tough this session is going to be.  Contribution by: Craig Farmer, FAICP

Be Engaged!
Did you know that there is pending legislation that would remove municipal authority to regulate the oil & gas industry, including the ability to regulate well setbacks? Read more here.

Stay informed, check the Texas Chapter Legislative and Governmental Affairs webpage for updates!

Photo courtesy: Flickr by aswinkb

Congratulations to 380 APA members who passed the AICP Comprehensive Planning Exam in November!  November 2014 AICP Exam Pass List - Pass Rate of 64%

Please congratulate the APA Texas members (listed above) who passed the AICP exam in November!

Click here for full details!

Join us in Galveston for the APA Texas Chapter Conference on October 7-9, 2015! Plans are already underway for the 2015 State Planning Conference and Short Course, including exciting sessions, mobile workshops, plenary and luncheon speakers, and social events.  The Short Course offers training for Planning commissioners and elected officials. Planning Award recipients will be recognized at the Friday Awards Luncheon.  AICP members have the opportunity to receive up to 12.5 hours of Certification Maintenance credits during the conference. Stay tuned for updates concerning registration deadlines and event details here!

The Midwest Section celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a big celebration at the Fort Worth Stockyards on Friday, January 23, 2015. As part of this celebration, the Section recognized several planning projects and advocates as part of its annual awards program. Click here to see all award recipients!

Visit the Chapter Website to view pictures from the event.

Join us for a panel discussion with Thomas Hardy, Ph.D. and Matthew Lewis, Assistant Director of Planning and Development Review, on the lessons learned from two great green infrastructure projects located an ocean away.

Wednesday, April 1, 2015 - 6:30pm to 8:45 PM,
Dougherty Arts Center,
1110 Barton Springs Rd,
Austin, TX 78704

Co-hosted by the City of Austin’s Planning & Development Review Department

Click here to view event flyer. Photo by Michael ‘Aster’ Sotnikov

In November, Texas APA launched its first ever mentorship program with over 200 participants. Several of the mentorship communities are meeting on a regular basis and sharing some great ideas! Don't let the momentum from the conference slow - get with your mentorship community leader today and schedule a get-together!  For questions regarding this program, please contact the Mentorship Program Chair Doug McDonald at dougm@plano.gov.

Access the Planning Mentorship Program information here.