In rural communities across the U.S., prime agricultural land is being targeted for large-scale solar farm development, in part to meet state and national renewable energy goals. States are also setting goals for the preservation of prime agricultural lands. Agrivoltaics, the use of land for both agriculture and solar photovoltaic energy generation, is touted as a potential solution. 

This webinar will explore local government's role in the development of solar agrivoltaics, including developing codes and ordinances. Speakers will also share lessons learned on managing public expectations and project implementation realities​.

Participants of this live webinar are eligible for 1.5 AICP CM credits. or 1 AICP Law Credit.

Interested in learning more about the AICP Exam process? Consider registering for APA Office Hours on September 12, 2024, at 3:00 PM ET here. During Office Hours, you will hear firsthand about the AICP Exam process and be able to ask AICP Staff questions in preparation for taking and passing the AICP Exam. 

Learn about proposed enhancements in the Wilmington Area Planning Council’s East Elkton Plan. Presentation and Site Visit at a nearby park, followed by networking at Chili’s sponsored by the APA Transportation Planning Division.

Learn more about the plan here: http://www.wilmapco.org/east-elkton/

.75 CM Credits Available

Contact: Bill Swiatek, AICP (bswiatek@wilmapco.org)

The time has arrived to honor the great planning work performed throughout Maryland. The Maryland Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA MD) and the Maryland Planning Commissioners Association (MPCA) 2024 Awards Ceremony will take place the evening of Monday, October 21 during the 2024 Joint Conference at the Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City. Everyone interested in planning and sustainable development in Maryland is encouraged to attend the conference and submit award nominations. 

Do you know a professional planner, citizen planner, engaged citizen, entire staff team, or planning board (planning commission, board of zoning appeals, historic district commission) that deserves recognition for their work in 2023 or 2024? Maryland planners, both professional and citizen, devote endless hours to their communities. APA MD, and the MPCA want to make sure we don’t overlook this dedication, and you can help.

A downloadable nomination form, which also includes more information about the awards categories and criteria by which the Awards Committee will review submissions and determine awardees for the 2024 Maryland Planning Awards, can be found on the APA MD and MPCA conference webpages. There is no fee to submit a nomination.

We look forward to learning about the great planning work happening around the state and seeing everyone at the 2024 Joint Conference! If you have any questions concerning eligibility or submission requirements, please contact Joe Griffiths, Awards Committee Chair, at joseph.griffiths@maryland.gov and he will work with the Awards Committee to best respond to your inquiry. 

The following timeline shows the deadlines for submittals, committee review, and applicant notification.

• August 30th – Nominations deadline 

• August 30th through September 6th – Committee review of nominations 

• September 6th – Notify applicants 

• October 21st – Awards ceremony 

Please consider the important contributions of your colleagues and citizen planners this year and submit recognition nominations to contact@apamaryland.org no later than 4:30 PM on Friday, August 30. Please submit the form, including all submission components, as found on the APA MD and MPCA conference webpages.

1.5 CM # 9293349
Join us for a webinar tailored for urban and regional planners focused on enhancing community resilience against climate-related vulnerabilities such as flooding, sea level rise, and extreme heat. This session will cover the latest national, state, and local developments in climate resilience planning, emphasizing data standards, best practices, inclusive stakeholder engagement, and effective strategies. Attendees will gain valuable insights and practical steps to integrate climate resilience into their planning processes, ensuring their communities are prepared for current and future climate impacts. Register today to equip yourself with the tools and knowledge needed to build resilient and sustainable communities.
 
SPEAKERS
Matt Hutchins
CEO, Fernleaf

Sean Lahav 
Resilience Market Leader, Halff
 

Participants of this live webinar are eligible for 1.5 AICP CM credits.

Unprecedented heat waves, storms of the century, and devastating fires are impacting communities across the country. While large-scale interventions in policy and technology are necessary to preserve the planet, the most impactful adaptation solutions often originate at the local level. However, with something as large as the climate crisis, it can be hard for local communities to know where to begin.

This webinar, featuring Cate Mingoya, Author of Climate Action for Busy People, and Mara Parker, Montgomery County, MD Climate Adaptation Program Manager, will present a roadmap with helpful case studies for anyone who wants to boost their community’s climate resilience and move the needle toward environmental justice.

Find out more and register for this free webinar via the link below.

Join the Mid-Atlantic Planning Collaboration for the next webinar in the resiliency series, highlighting the resilience planning efforts at the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) recognizes the critical role transportation plays in fostering societal well-being, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. In the face of increasing challenges posed by climate change, extreme weather events, and other disruptions, NCDOT is committed to ensuring the resilience of its transportation infrastructure.

Do you want to beautify your community, improve public health, increase property values, build climate resilience and help meet your stormwater obligations all in one? Then plant trees! Using new resources, find out if your planning documents are forest-friendly and where you can expand or maintain your community's tree canopy. A case study from the Washington Metropolitan region will explore the opportunity of local government collaboration and a case study from Greensboro, NC will highlight how forestry can be integrated into municipal planning.

Moderator: Hanna Cockburn, North Carolina Chapter of APA

Panelists: 

• Julie Mawhorter, US Forest Service

• Judson Clinton, Greensboro, NC

• Mike Knapp, Montgomery County, MD

Fields of Progress: Cultivating Success for Agricultural Expansion

Join the Maryland Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA Maryland) on Thursday, May 23, as four experts examine the ever-changing nature of agriculture and agritourism in Southern Maryland.

This day-long session will look at the evolving landscape and significance of agriculture and agritourism in the region, examine activities that go beyond the traditional farming of crops and cattle, and explore county and state regulations that affect growth in these sectors.

The event begins at 9 a.m. and runs through 4 p.m. at Fridays Creek Winery, 3845 Chaneyville Road, in Owings, MD. The event begins at 9 a.m. and runs through 4 p.m. at Fridays Creek Winery, 3845 Chaneyville Road, in Owings, MD. A wine tasting will be held at 4 p.m. Following the conference, participants can participate in an optional wine tasting for an additional $10 (this will be paid at the event).

Speakers include:

Ron Marney, AICP, CFM, Calvert County Environmental Planning Regulator, who will discuss how to align proposed uses for farms and agritourism activities with county and state regulations.

Craig Sewell, Program Director, Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, who will discuss the support the Commission provides for farmers and producers to support the sustainability of agriculture.

Bernie Fowler, Founder of Farming 4 Hunger, Inc., who will explain how the program, rooted in southern Maryland, has expanded its reach beyond state and national borders. By collaborating with farmers and communities, this initiative goes beyond food provision, by emphasizing the importance of coming together to address broader needs beyond hunger relief.

Rich Cleary, co-owner of Fridays Creek Winery, will explain his company’s efforts to transition from traditional farming to cultivating grapes while working to foster a sense of community by establishing a welcoming space. This endeavor has required adapting to new agricultural practices, mastering the art of winemaking, and navigating regulatory hurdles.

Four AICP CM credits are available for session participants.

You're invited to participate in a webinar on Friday, May 10, 2024, from 12-1:15 pm to learn and share about the water resources impacts of data centers and solar fields in the Potomac basin and tools to mitigate and prevent those impacts. This exciting event is being held as part of the implementation of the Potomac Basin Comprehensive Water Resources Plan. The panel will feature speakers from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District, and Loudoun Water. Presentations will be followed by Q&A with participants. 

Participate in a Smart Growth Summit intended to take stock of smart growth in Maryland and set the agenda for its future. The Summit will feature national experts and local stakeholders in a series of plenary and breakout sessions. Make your voice heard and please register early.  

Learn more about the event, including recent smart growth survey results, on see the event page here. Space is limited.

DMV Urban Planning + Design Professionals

This will be an opportunity for planners and designers–from entry level to senior executives–to network, share their professional experiences, and toast to fellowship. We will provide games, music, light hors d'oeuvres, and limited wine. Guests have the option to purchase additional food and beverages from the As You Are Menu. 

Price of admission is $10, all forms of payment will be accepted at the door.

Brought to you by: Valecia Wilson, Ebony Dumas, Jess Williams, and Matt Jones

When: March 27th @ 6pm 

Where: 500 8th Street Southeast, Washington, DC 20003

Human Transit: How Clearer Thinking about Public Transit Can Enrich Our Communities and Our Lives

Thursday, March 21 at 1:00 p.m. ET

Participants of this live webinar are eligible for 1.5 AICP CM credits.

Transportation expert Jarrett Walker believes that transit can be simple, if we focus on the underlying geometry that all transit systems share. Jarrett’s gift is being able to break down the basic principles of public transit so that you may have the tools necessary to clarify and advocate for your own values.

Join Walker as he talks about his new book, Human Transit, and offers guidance to achieve successful public transit that will enrich any community.

This event is hosted by the Maryland Department of Planning.

Find out more and register for this free webinar via the link below.

"Building Community Resilience"
Thursday, March 21 | 12pm-1:30pm[1.5 CM: 9287054] 

Planners in Delaware are empowering local communities to develop resiliency and sustainability plans and to complete local mitigation projects to build community resilience. This webinar will feature a panel of speakers that will share examples of planning resources and local projects that are benefiting Delaware’s vulnerable communities. The audience will gain valuable resources and best practices that they can replicate in the context of their own communities.


Speakers:

Stephanie Johnson
Director, DelDOT’s Division of Transportation Resiliency and Sustainability

Ed Lewandowski
Coastal Communities Development Specialist, Delaware Sea Grant Program/Marine Advisory Service at the University of Delaware

Michelle Koenig
Director of Conservation and Watershed Planning, Delaware Center for the Inland Bays

Moderator:

Joshua Thomas, AICP
Office of State Planning Coordination, Delaware

Monthly Online Executive Committee Meeting

Please join the Maryland APA ring in the holiday season and hear from Jake Day, Maryland Secretary of Housing & Community Development Dr. Calvin Ball, Howard County Executive, and others from the housing community discuss ways they are addressing the housing crisis in Maryland.

COST:  A DONATION TO MD APA IS APPRECIATED TO OFF-SET THE COST OF THE EVENT.  STUDENTS WITH A STUDENT ID ARE FREE.

Online Webinar: Thursday, November 9th | 12:00pm-1:30pm

CM Credit Pending
This webinar will explore the Chesapeake Bay Program’s 1-meter resolution Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) data and how it can be used by local land use planners. Speakers will present case studies of how they’ve used the LULC data in their work: 1) best management practice implementation to maximize local watershed restoration efforts 2) tracking tree canopy cover changes and prioritizing planting locations to meet Climate Action Plan goals 3) state-wide land use map for comprehensive planning and land preservation. The high-resolution LULC can be coupled with high-resolution hydrography data to target stream restoration efforts, identify riparian planting opportunities, develop watershed restoration plans and more.

Speakers: 

• Sarah McDonald, US Geological Survey

• Scott Heidel, PA Department of Environmental Protection

• Bill Mahoney, Howard County, MD

• Deb Sward, Maryland Department of Planning

Mid-Atlantic Planning Collaboration Webinar
Thursday, October 5 | 12pm-1pm

 “The plan wasn’t implemented.” This is an all-too-common lament about comprehensive plans. It is a proverbial tale familiar even to those who are not planners. A plan sits on the shelf and collects dust. There are different things planners can do to create plans that are practical and lead to results. The webinar will discuss the “implementable comprehensive plan” approach – principles and steps communities can employ to create plans elected officials and citizens embrace and partners join in to help implement. The webinar will highlight case studies and lessons learned as the implementable plan has grown as a movement in Pennsylvania.

The webinar will discuss five keys for an implementable plan. The keys include suggestions for a plan’s content, organization, process steps, and participants. The webinar will take a closer look at how the five keys have been applied in recent comprehensive plans to involve elected officials and the public, undertake problem-solving work sessions, design workable action plans, and create capacity to implement the plan. The webinar will challenge planners. Are they driven by helping a community achieve its aspirations and address its problems and needs or by the exercise of writing a book? Do they focus on the real issues a community is facing or a perceived statutory template? Presenters Denny Puko and Jim Pashek are pioneers of the implementable plan approach. Ideas they will present come from their book Off the Shelf and Into Action, How to Create an Implementable Comprehensive Plan.

Speakers:

Denny Puko
Denny Puko Planning Consultant LLC

Jim Pashek
Pashek+MTR

[CM Credit Pending]  Updated 9/25

Register for MAPC Webinar

https://arch.umd.edu/events/karl-f-g-du-puy-lecture-urban-design

Karl F. G. Du Puy Lecture in Urban Design

Friday, September 8, 2023
6 - 7:15pm

Great Space

3835 Campus Drive
Architecture Building (145 ARC)
College Park, MD 20742

Image

You are invited to the inaugural 

Karl F.G. Du Puy Lecture in Urban Design 

featuring a conversation between

Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, FAIA, LEED AP

and

Professor Brian Kelly, AIA 

REGISTER HERE

*Registration is required

Reception to follow outside the Kibel Gallery

Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, FAIA, LEED AP is the Malcolm Matheson Distinguished Professor of Architecture and Director of the Master of Urban Design Program at the University of Miami. She is recognized as a leader of the movement called the New Urbanism, promoting walkable resilient urban design. A co-founder of the Congress for the New Urbanism in 1992, her teaching, research and consulting professional practice has ranged across new community design, community rebuilding, regional plans and zoning codes. A number of innovations in professional practice, such as the traditional neighborhood design zoning code (TND), were initiated with students in the University of Miami’s School of Architecture design studios and first implemented through community outreach in South Florida.

Brian Kelly, AIA is Associate Dean for Development and Faculty Affairs and Professor in the Architecture Program at the University of Maryland College Park, where he teaches introductory design studios, site design and analysis, and graduate studios that focus on campus planning and academic architecture. He received his professional degree from the University of Notre Dame and a post-professional degree in urban design from Cornell University. His scholarly work includes speculations on teaching methodology, the design process, relationships between traditions and modernity, and of course campus planning. Kelly's plein air watercolors, charcoal drawings, and sketchbook drawings have been exhibited widely and were part of a traveling exhibition Lines of Inquiry: The Architectural Drawings of Brian Kelly. 

The Karl F.G. Du Puy Lecture in Urban Design was created in 2021 to honor the memory and legacy of Professor Du Puy, a force of nature and a giant within the Architecture Program at the University of Maryland where his passion for urbanism, architectural history and building craft was a foundational part of the curriculum. This lecture will continue to raise issues of urban design and inform future built environment professionals about their responsibility to the city. 

 SUPPORT THE LECTURE

Join planners from around the state to hear from Maryland Department of Planning Secretary Flora and Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Secretary Wiedefeld as they embark on their new roles.

Ticket includes: light food, non-alcoholic beverages at the event and a complementary drink ticket to utilize following the event at Diamondback Brewing Company.

Proceeds will benefit the APA Maryland Student Scholarship fun. Cost $5.

DATE: Thursday, June 15, 2023

TIME: 5:30 PM

PLACE: Baltimore Metropolitan Council Office (1500 Whetstone Way Suite 300, Baltimore MD) 

COST: $5

Register: Eventbrite

Monthly APA Executive Committee Meeting.

Monthly meeting with Executive Committee Members.