Announcing the 2013 APAPA Southeast Section Student Scholarship Awards

Announcing the 2013 APAPA Southeast Section Student Scholarship Awards

This year, three projects were recognized by the Section. Each represents excellence in research projects at the graduate level from area universities.

First place- Best Group Project

New Life for Old Schools Plan

University of Pennsylvania

JESSE BLITZSTEIN
SARA BRANDT-VOREL
PETER CHOMKO
CHRISTOPHER CUMMINGS
LINDSEY GAEL
DANIEL RHINE
ELANA TAUBMAN
LIZA WALLIS

This research paper explored use opportunities for City schools that were programmed for closure. The project thoroughly investigated the neighborhoods in which they were located and proposed a series of realistic alternative uses.

The policy recommendations in this report outline a new framework for school disposition and reuse in Philadelphia.

“With smart planning, vigorous community engagement, strong public leadership, and savvy private investment, closed public school buildings can be repurposed as assets enabling Philadelphia to catalyze positive neighborhood change”

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Upcoming Webinars on Best Practices and Wayfinding

ISA Webinar: Best Practices for Planning, Design, and System Management

Thursday, November 14, 2013
2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET 

Price: Complimentary for Planners
Presenter: Craig Berger, Craig Berger Consulting; Sapna Budev, International Sign Association; Danny Barnycz, The Barnycz Group
1.0 CM 
Complete the registration form here and email to emily.oconnor@signs.org or fax to (703) 836-8353 to register for FREE as a planner.

Webinar Highlights:

  • Learn about the advantages of developing a wayfinding program in stages
  • Understand when a wayfinding project should fit into one fully integrated system, and when it should include freestanding elements
  • Learn about sign alternatives in wayfinding projects
  • Understand how cities approach digital and lighting technology

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Nov. 26: Emerging Professionals Committee Meeting

Are you a planning student, emerging professional, or planner new to the profession? Do you like to organize events like walking tours, happy hours, and educational events related to planning? Then join the APAPA-SE Emerging Professionals Committee! We’ll be meeting at DVRPC on Tuesday, November 26 to discuss events for 2014. We’ll be in Conference Room C on the 8th Floor. We will also have a call-in code for those who are unable to attend in person. Please RSVP so we can provide a list of names to security: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/8993209933/eorg

Reminder: Annual Event at the Twentieth Century Club on Nov. 7!

2013_APAPASE_20thCenturyClub_SaveDate
Please join fellow planners in the Southeast Section of the APAPA at our 2013 Annual Event!  Following our very successful 2012 Annual Event at The Manayunk Brew Pub, this year’s event promises to be an exciting evening at the Twentieth Century Club in Lansdowne, PA (Delaware County) on November 7th.
This year, we are meeting up in Lansdowne and learning more about the interaction between the town and its businesses in creating successful downtown programs. 1 CM credit is expected for the presentation, followed by a few hours of food, drink and networking.  Watch the blog for more information!

Dec. 6: Creating More Effective Signs for Your Community

Has your community or neighborhood struggled with signage that doesn’t match the character the surrounding area? Learn the nuts and bolts of good signage and what it takes to create a good sign ordinance and signage system at DVRPC’s December Strategies for Older Suburbs Roundtable event!

Create More Effective Signs for Your Community (2.5 CM pending)

Friday, December 6, 2013
9:00 am – 11:30 am

Breakfast will be provided
Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
8th Floor | ACP Building
190 N. Independence Mall West | Philadelphia, PA 19106

Please RSVP by Wednesday, December 4 to kpcilurso@dvrpc.org.

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Future City Philadelphia Still Looking for Mentors

The school year is off to a great start.  To date 42  schools have signed up and have started designing their cities of the future.  Hopefully there will be a few more schools that sign up before the October 31 deadline.  After the jump is the current list of schools that need mentors:

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Delco Celebrates Bike to Work Day

Bike

It was a picture-perfect, cool and sunny spring morning when dozens of cyclists left their cars at home and rode their bikes to work in Media instead in celebration of Bike to Work Day.

On Friday, May 17, the Delaware County Transportation Management Association (DCTMA) and the Delaware County Planning Department partnered up for Bike to Work Day, drawing County employees and other bicyclists from as far away as Upper Darby. Cyclists enjoyed refreshments during the morning celebration held outside the County Courthouse. Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union was the main sponsor with Wawa, Trader Joe’s, and Main Line Water providing water, orange juice, and fresh fruit. Participants also entered into a special raffle for prizes donated by local businesses.

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Delaware County Public Transportation Map and Guide Is Available

delcotransit

A significant portion of Delaware County is served by SEPTA, which means that most County residents have access to a reliable transportation network to meet most of their transportation needs. In consideration of this fact, the Delaware County Planning Department has completed the 3rd edition of the Delaware County Public Transportation Map and Guide, which serves as a reference to SEPTA’s public transit system in Delaware County.

One side shows a map of all bus, regional rail, trolley, and high-speed rail services in Delaware County and certain routes in neighboring Chester and Montgomery Counties and the City of Philadelphia. The map also shows the locations of colleges, shopping centers, hospitals, state and county government office buildings, business centers and office parks, hotels and motels, senior care facilities, and parks and trails. Detailed inset maps show Media, the Darby and Chester Transportation Centers, the 69th Street Transportation Center, and Center City Philadelphia.

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Oct. 29: Trash Talk: Recycling, Composting, and Disposing in Philly

soyp

The average American generates 4.5 pounds of trash a day with enormous environmental consequences. Learn how you can be a part of the solution at this event all about being green in Philadelphia!

Join YIP and Keep Philadelphia Beautiful to learn about how the City of Philadelphia, private industry, and non-profits are working together to move our city towards more sustainable waste disposal practices and systems — and gain valuable insight into how you can be a part of the solution.

Event Details:
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
6-8 pm
WHYY
150 N. 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Registration Link: http://yip.ticketleap.com/soyp-trashtalk/

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DelCo Planning Dept. Restructures Its Municipal Comp Plans

ridley

The core document or “blueprint” of municipal development decision making is the comprehensive plan. This advisory document forms the basis for the zoning ordinance, municipal land use and policy decisions, and the acquisition of land for public use. Comprehensive plans are carefully crafted with input from professional planners, local officials, business owners, and residents. The process of drafting these plans can last up to 18 months, with the finished plan providing dozens of recommendations to help aid local officials with municipal initiatives. Throughout the extensive process of drafting a plan, the greatest challenge for planners is formulating a plan that is a relevant document for local officials; that is, securing a place for the plan on the desk of the borough or township manager where it is frequently consulted for day-to-day decisions, and not just sitting on a shelf gathering dust.

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