Azavea’s Summer Of Maps is back – Got data? Need someone to map it? Summer of Maps is a three-month long fellowship giving student GIS analysts the opportunity to perform geospatial data analysis for local and national non-profit organizations. The deadline for non-profit project submissions is February 7, 2016. Check it out HERE.
Jan. 22: How to Write a Successful Grant Application
Have you ever put tremendous effort into a grant application only to be turned down for funding? Do you struggle with writing grant proposals on behalf of your government agency, non-profit, or community development corporation? Have you ever wondered how you could improve your grant applications so they are more likely to be funded in the future? Join DVRPC for a one–day comprehensive grantwriting workshop! Participants will increase their understanding of what type of information belongs in each proposal section, learn how to avoid common grant writing mistakes, and increase the odds of having their proposal selected. The workshop will feature short lectures, small group activities, and the opportunity to ask questions. In the afternoon, we will use DVRPC’s Transportation and Community Development Initiative (TCDI) application as a template to discuss what makes a project compelling to a funder, and how to make your project come to life despite word count limitations.
Join DVRPC’s Public Participation Task Force
The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), as part of its ongoing efforts to engage citizens in Greater Philadelphia, has opened a selection round to solicit new members for its Public Participation Task Force (PPTF).
The PPTF is comprised of Board-appointed members and citizens at-large selected through an application process open to all residents of the nine-county DVRPC region. The task force provides ongoing access to the regional planning and decision-making process, reviews timely issues, serves as a conduit for DVRPC information to organizations and communities across the region, and assists the Commission in implementing public outreach strategies. For more details about the PPTF, visit www.dvrpc.org/getinvolved.
DVRPC is seeking applicants with an interest in planning, knowledge of regional issues, a history of civic engagement, and effective communications skills. Task force membership will also strive to reflect the region’s geographic, ethnic, cultural, and economic diversity. Individuals interested in serving as members on the task force must submit an application by December 31, 2015. Applications are available to the public at libraries throughout the region, online at www.dvrpc.org, and by contacting Shoshana Akins, Public Participation Planner, at 215-238-2817 or sakins@dvrpc.org.
Category: General / Tags: community participation and public outreach, DVRPC, multi-municipal planning, Philadelphia
Jan. 20: Technology, Data, and Engagement
Technology, Data, and Engagement (1.5 CM credits)
Wednesday, January 20, 2016; 3:45–5:30 PM
Ever-changing and ever more important, technology is reshaping community building, governance, and planning. Look at what’s coming next as panelists examine the three big components of technology: plan management, research and data, and public engagement. Learn about emerging technologies and how they apply to planning. See how some communities are tackling technology in a comprehensive way while others keep a tighter focus. What could your community be doing? Share ideas in a live Q&A with the panelists.
Category: Upcoming Events / Tags: certification maintenance, DVRPC, events, resources, technology in planning
City of Philadelphia Releases Traffic Research RFP
The City of Philadelphia has recently announced that it is seeking research proposals aimed at understanding Philadelphians’ traffic knowledge and behavior.
The winning solution will be awarded $32,000 to implement their strategy and have the opportunity to work directly with the City of Philadelphia.
Detail
Philadelphia sees approximately one hundred people killed on the streets every year as a result of traffic crashes. City residents have long been under the perception that traffic crashes, and the fatalities they cause, are simply a part of the risk of being a resident, worker, or visitor to a major city. Now, Philadelphia would like to challenge this notion. The first step to solving the problem, is understanding the problem.
The City is looking for innovative ways to measure gaps in traffic knowledge and understand unsafe traffic behavior at identified intersections.
Successful solution(s) should provide a strategy for how to collect accurate information on one or both of the points below:
- What traffic rules and regulations Philadelphians do and do not understand.The City is interested in learning if Philadelphians are familiar with the following:
- The citywide speed limit;
- How to act around different types of bicycle infrastructure;
- The importance of yielding to pedestrians;
- How to pass school buses; and
- Other fundamental rules of the road.
- 2.What unsafe or illegal traffic behaviors are being engaged in at identified intersections, including risky behavior that does not result in traffic crashes.
The deadline for applications is Wednesday, December 23 at 5:00 PM EST.
To find out more and submit a proposal, visit “Small Contracts, Big Ideas” at http://bit.ly/1YkVJTh
Dec. 16: Development Committee Kickoff
APA Pennsylvania Southeast section is having a Development Committee call to help with the growth of the organization. The first phone call to help set the priorities of the group will be held on Wednesday, December 16 at 11:00 am. Any interested section members are welcome to join by calling 1-866-245-0351 passcode 605275.
The call will follow up and set new priorities for the newly created Development Committee. The committee looks at ideas to create sponsorship opportunities and develop membership in the APA Pennsylvania Chapter Southeast Section. If you’re unable to attend the call, but still have input you’d like to include, please contact vicechair@apapase.org with any thoughts, ideas, or interest in participating in future meetings.
Dec. 14: QUE at Tavern on Camac
Join QUE on December 14 at Tavern on Camac!
Queer Urbanist Exchange (QUE) is invites you to join our monthly meet up at Tavern on Camac (Tavern on Camac, 243 South Camac St, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) on Monday, December 14 at 6:00 pm.
We’re going to do brief updates on all of our projects. If you’re interested in seeing more, check out our Meeting Notes from our last meeting. We created a summary for each project which included a description and highlights of what the next steps are. We will also look at the happy hour and say what we liked and what could make it better next time and start planning the next large mixer.
Can’t make it? You can sign to the group and find out more on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/QUEPHL and on Google Groups at http://bit.ly/QUEgoogle. You can also see Meeting Notes in our Files.
Dec. 1: Development Committee Kickoff
APA Pennsylvania Southeast section is kicking off a Development Committee to help with the growth of the organization. The first phone call to help set the priorities of the group will be held on Tuesday, December 1 at 10:30 am. Any interested section members are welcome to join by calling 1-866-245-0351 passcode 605275.
The call will set the scope and priorities for the newly created Development Committee. The committee will look at ideas to create sponsorship opportunities and develop membership in the APA Pennsylvania Chapter Southeast Section. If you’re unable to attend the call, but still have input you’d like to include, please contact vicechair@apapase.org with any thoughts, ideas, or interest in participating in future meetings.
Dec. 3: Connecting With the King
CONNECTING WITH THE KING
A WORLD CLASS INFRASTRUCTURE FORUM
Thursday, December 3, 2015 l 8-10:00am
Sheraton Valley Forge
480 N Gulph Road
King of Prussia, PA
Tickets: $25 in advance; $35 at the door
Home to approximately 50,000 jobs, King of Prussia is the largest employment center in our region outside of Philadelphia. Mixed-use development projects slated or underway promise additional jobs and residences at King of Prussia, but traffic congestion and limited transportation options make accessibility a challenge and limit long-term growth potential. The proposed extension of SEPTA’s Norristown High Speed Line will expand access by creating a critical transit link between King of Prussia and Philadelphia as well as Norristown and other destinations in Montgomery and Delaware Counties.
Category: Upcoming Events / Tags: events, multi-municipal planning, Philadelphia, resources, transit-oriented development, transportation
Dec. 10: Planning for Sign Code Success
Planning for Sign Code Success
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Breakfast/registration: 8:30 AM
Event: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Coming up with reasonable and enforceable sign codes can often be a complex and controversial process. With so many community stakeholders caring about sign codes, it is important to get the most accurate, up-to-date information and expertise as possible. The seminar will present modules that educate on the technology within signs, sign code issues, understanding electronic message centers, and the importance of signs to business. In light of the new challenges imposed by the recent Supreme Court Reed ruling, attendees will be presented with important interim and permanent policy changes to bring municipal ordinances into compliance with the Court’s new precedents. Local planners will present on the development and implementation of the Montgomery County Model Sign Ordinance.
