About the PA Chapter of APA
The PA Chapter of APA (PA APA) is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization for the promotion of planning, and for professional planners and planning officials in the Commonwealth. The organization is a chapter of the American Planning Association (APA). It was created in 1985 by the consolidation of three separate chapters of the APA in Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania
Planning Association. Approximately 3,000 members strong, the PA Chapter of APA works to promote planning at all levels of the Commonwealth through trainings, the annual conference, legislative monitoring, and public awareness efforts. PA Chapter of APA members participate with various statewide and regional groups with shared values and goals.
The Chapter is organized into six sections that provide local service to members and others through program meetings, local workshops, newsletters, and announcements. Since our founding in 1985, our Chapter has hosted a statewide conference, provided training to planning professionals and officials, produced a newsletter, and hosted a website since the mid 1990s. We also partner with the Penn State University Cooperative Extension to create the PMPEI Planning Education Institute). PMPEI provides training to planning commission members, zoning officers, and zoning hearing board members throughout Pennsylvania.
Mission, Vision and Values
Mission
The Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association provides leadership in the development of vital communities by advocating excellence in community planning through education, empowerment, partnership, and public policy.
Vision
Planning Matters
Planning is an essential function in creating successful communities throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The PA Chapter of APA, with its diverse and engaged membership, positively influences the provision of planning resources and the practice of planning at all levels of the public and private sectors.
Values
The PA Chapter of APA believes:
- Planning is a critical function of government, citizens, and the private sector;
- Planning brings forth the best ideas by balancing varied interests and resources;
- Planning is objective and open-minded;
- Planning is comprehensive, inclusive, and empowering; and
- Planning values the diversity of Pennsylvania’s communities, cultures, and places.
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