Oct. 29: Ethics for Planning and Design Professionals

Need those ethics credits? The Southeast Council of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA SE PA) is partnering with the Design on the Delaware conference this year to present Ethics for Planning & Design Professionals. Speakers include J. Shane Creamer, the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Board of Ethics, and Joanne Phillips, an expert in zoning and land use from Ballard Spahr. Registration for one day at the conference costs less than $250 and includes up to 5 CM credits, including the required 1.5 for ethics. Tuesday, October 29, 2013, 10:25am – 11:55am.

Have a specific question about something? Always wondered about an ethical situation, exactly how it should be handled? APA SE PA wants to hear from you! We are collecting inquiries and scenarios for our APA Ethics speakers to address. As brief or in-depth as you’d like, please email to sharonmaclean1@gmail.com by October 1, 2013. All emails will be kept confidential.

Crowdsourcing for Public Input

opensourceway via flickr

opensourceway via flickr

Have you ever been frustrated by the limitations on electronic surveys? After spending hours creating neutral questions and creating the universe of potential solutions, you find that people keep selecting the “other” box with something you accidentally left off.

One possible solution is looking at crowdsourcing. Crowdsourcing, not to be confused with crowdsurfing, is a means allows users to create and vote on each others’ answers to questions or problems. Instead of the surveyor populating the survey, the users are able to come up with, vote on, and discuss their own answers. Users can vote up or down answers that they feel are relevant or irrelevant. In the end, the planner as moderator can get an idea of the most popular ideas as well as potentially new ideas. The user oriented nature can also encourage users to share the survey with their friends providing input from wider groups than your initial contacts.

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Now Hiring: This Week’s Job Postings

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Just because it’s the dog days of summer doesn’t mean there aren’t still new jobs to be had.

1) Outreach and Volunteerism Manager – Natural Lands Trust – Media, PA
2) FAO Schwarz Family Foundation Fellowship – Please Touch Museum – Philadelphia
3) Part-Time Data Analyst – CamConnect – Camden, NJ 4) Marketing Assistant – Econsult – Philadelphia
5) Business Development Manager – Veolia Energy – Philadelphia
6) Housing Expert – Bekiempis and Associates LLC – Bangor, PA
7) Intern, Citizens Planning Institute – Philadelphia City Planning Commission – Philadelphia 8) Student Positions – Philadelphia Global Water Initiative – Philadelphia
9) Intern, Capacity Building, Community Impact – United Way of Greater Philadelphia – Philadelphia
10) Mapping Project and Development Intern – Asian Arts Initiative – Philadelphia
11) Community Organizer and Strategic Initiatives Manager – John Bartram Association – Philadelphia
12) Watershed Education Manager – Camden Children’s Garden – Camden, NJ

Full descriptions after the jump!

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Sept. 20: Trolley Tour of Chester County’s Classic Towns (3 CM pending)

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Phoenixville Borough, the West Chester Business Improvement District, Historic Kennett Square, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) and the American Planning Association Pennsylvania Chapter Southeast Section (APAPASE) are partnering for a trolley tour of several Classic Towns in Chester County. On Friday, September 20, 2013, we’re heading to Phoenixville, West Chester, and Kennett Square to tour their downtown redevelopment efforts and historic sites. The event will last from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM and includes both breakfast and lunch. The cost of the tour is $30. Seating is limited. Full details and registration information are available here.

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Now Hiring: This Week’s Job Postings

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Some outside-of-the-box listings this week. Check ’em out!

1) Grant Writer – Goodwill of Delaware and Delaware County – Wilmington, DE

2) Executive Director – Pennsylvania Prison Society – Philadelphia

3) Research and Analysis Manager – Pennsylvania Horticultural Society – Philadelphia

4) Director of Lending and Training – Women’s Opportunities Resource Center – Philadelphia

5) Associate Director of RSVP – Klein JCC – Philadelphia

6) JOIN Program Manager – Job Opportunity Investment Network – Philadelphia

7) Community Organizer – Women’s Community Revitalization Project – Philadelphia

8) Social Service Coordinator – Better Tomorrows – Philadelphia

9) Part-Time Data Analyst – CamConnect – Camden, NJ

10) Part-Time Landscape Designer Position – Groundswell Design Group – Hopewell, NJ

Full descriptions after the jump!

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Aug. 7: Emerging Professionals Committee Meeting

The APAPASE Emerging Professionals Committee will be meeting to plan upcoming events on Wednesday, August 7, 2013 at 5:30pm at Smokin Betty’s (116 S 11th St). The restaurant is located 1.5 blocks from the 11th Street stop on the Market-Frankford El, as well as several bus lines on Market Street, Chestnut Street, and Walnut Street. If you have ideas for future events or are interested in helping to organize planning-related tours, workshops, and happy hours, we’d love to meet you! If you are interested in attending, please RSVP via this link so we know how big of a table to secure: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/7564953981

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Professional Development Scholarships – Apply Now!

The PA Chapter of APA is pleased to announce two Professional Development Awards: Jerry S Walls, FAICP Planning Professional Development Award and Irving Hard, FAICP Excellence in Planning Professional Development Award. These awards can be used to cover a range of professional development activities, including graduate or undergraduate planning-related classes, in-depth training on planning-related topics such as but not limited to charrettes and mediation, planning-related workshops such as those offered through APA’s Planners Training Service, or other training relevant to the professional development.

  1. Jerry S. Walls, FAICP Planning Professional Development Award – A scholarship of $2000.00 will be awarded to the Pennsylvania applicant who demonstrates commitment in the field of community planning, involvement in public sector planning, and a desire to enhance their expertise and/or develop new skills.
  2. Irving Hand, FAICP Excellence in Planning Professional Development Award – One scholarship in the amount of $2,500.00 is awarded annually to an outstanding Pennsylvania applicant who demonstrates excellence in the field of community planning, and a desire to enhance their expertise and/or develop new skills.

Please review application requirements here. The deadline to complete your application is August 30, 2013.

Young Professionals in Transportation Comes to Philly

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Young Professionals in Transportation (YPT) recently launched a Philadelphia chapter. They have two events coming up in August–a members-only tour of the Reading Viaduct and a professional chat about The Future of Turnpike Tolling. Other events on the horizon include Transportation Trivia Night and an Airport Tour. Annual dues are $20.
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Aug. 17: 9th Street Italian Market Tour

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Planners might be interested in an upcoming tour of the Italian Market arranged by Young Involved Philadelphia (YIP) The 9th Street Italian Market is at the heart of one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in Philadelphia. It is also one of the oldest and largest outdoor markets in the US. Discover the tastes, sounds, and history of this eclectic shopping and eating emporium during this fascinating food tour. Talk to charismatic shop owners, purchase an array of fresh and specialty food, and learn about this area’s wonderful history. We’ll end the tour near Pat’s King of Steaks, so you can choose to stick around and order a cheesesteak wit or without for lunch. Tickets cost $20 and must be reserved in advance. Bring extra cash if you want to buy a cheesesteak afterward. Tour starts at 9th & South at 10:30 AM and ends at 12:30 PM. Remember to wear comfortable shoes!

Urban Design Returns to Fleisher

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This month, Fleisher Art Memorial will bring back its popular Urban Planning Workshop. Through this four-session course, students will examine the theory and practice of urban design, with an emphasis on architecture, public space, and community development.

“This class attracts a great mix of urbanists, including curious citizens, civic leaders, artists, and experienced designers,” says Benjamin Cromie who is returning as the course instructor. “It’s a great summer project for anyone looking for a new way to explore Philadelphia or cities in general.” Cromie is an urban planner and GIS specialist at CHPlanning in Philadelphia.

In addition to exploring the history of human settlement, students will learn about current and proposed building projects in Philadelphia. Registration also includes one urban design tour (7/16 or 7/30). The course will run on Thursdays, 6:30-9:30 pm at Fleisher Art Memorial, 719 Catherine Street, from July 11 through August 1. Includes some drawing exercises; all experience levels welcome.

http://www.fleisher.org/workshops/adults.php

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