Urban Planning
- American Association on Port Authorities (AAPA)
Founded in 1912, the American Association on Port Authorities (AAPA) is a trade association which represents more than 150 public port authorities in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and Latin America. In addition, association members include more than 300 sustaining and associate members – firms and individuals with an interest in the seaports of the Western Hemisphere. AAPA is dedicated to serving deep draft public ports by enhancing port management professionalism, and advocating issues critical to public seaports.
- American Planning Association (APA)
The American Planning Association (APA) is a nonprofit of public interest and research organization committed to urban, suburban, regional, and rural planning. APA and its professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners, advance the art and science of planning to meet the news of people and society.
- American Public Works Association
The American Public Works Association is an international education and professional association of public agencies, private sector companies, and individuals dedicated to providing high quality public works, goods, and services.
- Association of Bicycle and Pedestrian Professionals (APBP)
Founded in 1995, the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP) promotes excellence in the emerging professional discipline of pedestrian and bicycle transportation. Members include leaders in the engineering, planning, landscape architecture, safety and promotion fields who specialize in improving conditions for bicycling and walking. Members work for federal, state, regional, and local government; consulting firms, non-profit organizations, and the media. The association also welcomes academics, students, and professional advocates who are committed to making bicycling and walking viable transportation options in the United States.
- Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO)
The Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO) is a nonprofit, membership organization established in 1994 to serve the needs and interests of “metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs)” nationwide. AMPO offers its members technical assistance and training, conferences and workshops, frequent print and electronic communications, research, a forum for transportation policy development and coalition building, and a variety of other services. Full-membership in AMPO is open to all MPOs and an associate membership is available to all interested parties.
- Community Development Society (CDS)
The International Community Development Society (CDS), founded in 1969, is a professional association for community development practitioners and citizen leaders around the world. CDS members represent a variety of fields: education, health care, social services, government, utilities, and economic development practitioners, citizen groups, and mores.
- Congress for New Urbanism (CNU)
Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) is a San Francisco-based nonprofit organization that was founded in 1993. CNU works with architects, developers, planners, and others involved in the creation of cities and towns, teaching them how to implement the principles of the New Urbanism. These principles include coherent regional planning, walkable neighborhoods, and attractive, accommodating civic spaces. CNU has over 2,000 members throughout the United States and around the world and sponsors annual conferences, known as Congresses, for the sharing and discussion of best practices in New Urbanism.
- Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA)
The Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA) is an international, interdisciplinary organization founded in 1968 by design professionals, social scientists, educators, facility managers, and students. The purpose of EDRA is the advancement and dissemination of environmental design research, thereby improving understanding of the interrelationships between people, their built and natural surroundings, and helping to create environments responsive to human needs.
- International City/County Management Association (ICMA)
The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) is the professional and educational organization for chief appointed managers, administrators, and assistants in cities, towns, counties, and regional entities throughout the world. Since 1914, ICMA has provided technical and management assistance, training, and information resources to its members and the local government community.
- International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)
The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) is an international non-governmental organization of professionals, dedicated to the conservation of the world’s historic monuments and sites. ICOMOS provides a forum for professional dialogue and a vehicle for the collection, evaluation, and dissemination of information on conservation principles, techniques, and policies.
- International Downtown Association (IDA)
The International Downtown Association (IDA) is a world leader and a champion for vital and livable urban centers. Through its network of committed individuals, its rich body of knowledge, and its unique capacity to nurture community-building partnerships, IDA is a guiding force in creating healthy and dynamic centers that anchor the well-being of towns, cities, and regions throughout the world.
- International Economic Development Council (IEDC)
In 2001, the Council for Urban Economic Development (CUED) and the American Economic Development Council (AEDC) – the nation’s largest economic development organizations – joined forced to become one: the International Economic Development Council. The IEDC is now the largest membership organization serving economic developers around the world. Its membership base consists of thousand of professionals with unparalleled expertise and collective influence including: public agency professionals, utilities, nonprofits, consultants, corporate development professionals, and educational institutions.
- National Association of Development Organizations
The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) provides training, information, and representation for regional development and organizations in small metropolitan and rural America. The association, a public interest group founded in 1967, is the largest and leading advocate for a regional approach to community, economic, and rural development and provides a network for its members to share ideas and innovations.
- National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is the voice of America’s housing industry, with a federation of more than 800 state and local builders associations. To achieve the overall mission of member satisfaction, NAHB concentrates on providing balanced national legislative, regulatory, and judicial public policy; public appreciation for the importance of housing and those who provide it; resources for industry information, education, research and technical expertise; improved business performance of its members and affiliates; effective management of staff, financial, and physical resources to satisfy the association’s needs.
- National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO)
The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) is the leading housing and community development advocate for the provision of adequate and affordable housing and strong, viable communities for all Americans – particularly those with low and moderate incomes. Our members administer HUD programs such as Public Housing, Section 8, CEBG and HOME.
- National Association of Local Government Environmental Professionals (NALGEP)
The National Association of Local Government Environmental Professionals (NALGEP) brings together local environmental practices, conducts environmental officials to network and share information on innovative environmental practices, conducts environmental policy projects, promotes environmental training and education, and communicates the view of local environmental officials on national environmental issues. NALGEP is the premier national organization representing city and county environmental managers responsible for environmental compliance and the development of implementation of local environmental policy. NALGEP offers its members numerous opportunities to interact and benefit from each other’s experience and expertise.
- National Association of Regional Councils (NARC)
The National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) is the preeminent alliance for fostering regional cooperation and building regional communities. NARC advocates for regional approaches with federal and state governments; provide training and technical assistance on the latest regional development; and conduct research on timely regional topics. For more than three decades, NARC has represented multipurpose regional councils of government that assist community leaders and citizens in developing common strategies for addressing cross-cutting transportation, economic development, air and water quality, social equity, growth and other challenges. Today, NARC welcomes membership from other public, private, academic, nonprofit, and civic regional organizations and interests as it works to engage the regional community in achieving regional excellence.
- National Association of State Development Agencies (NASDA)
The National Association of State Development Agencies (NASDA) is a membership organization that focuses on state economic development agencies and issues. Its core members are state economic development directors and key mangers in their agencies. NASDA welcomes and can accommodate a wide range of public and private officials involved in economic development and has numerous special publications, workshops, and other programs that address issues of concern to these various audiences.
- National Association of Towns and Townships (NATaT)
The purpose of the National Association of Towns and Townships (NATaT) is to strengthen the effectiveness of towns and township government. NATaT does this by educating lawmakers and public policy officials about how small town governments operate and by advocating policies on their behalf in Washington, D.C.
- National Civic League (NCL)
Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, the National Civic League (NCL) is a 109-year-old nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to strengthening civic democracy by transforming democratic institutions. NCL accomplishes its mission through technical assistance, training, publishing, research, and the All-American City Awards, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious community recognition program.
- National Community Development Association (NCDA)
The National Community Development Association (NCDA) is a national nonprofit organization comprised of more than 550 local governments across the country that administer federally-supported community and economic development, housing, and human service programs, including programs of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and the HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) programs. Since 1968, NCDA has been at the forefront in securing effective and responsive housing and community development programs for local governments. The Association provides timely, direct information and technical support to its members on federal housing and community development programs.
- National League of Cities (NLC)
The National League of Cities (NLC) is the oldest and largest national organization representing municipal governments throughout the United States. Its mission is to strengthen and promote cities as centers of opportunity, leadership, and governance. Working in partnership with 49 state municipal leagues, NLC serves as a national resource and an advocate for the more than 18,000 cities, villages, and towns it represents. The unique partnership among NLC, the 49 state municipal leagues, and the elected leaders of the 1,700 member cities and the 18,000 state league cities provides a powerful network for sharing information and for speaking on behalf of America’s cities in Washington, D.C. and all state capitols.
- Net Impact.org
Net Impact is a network of emerging business leaders committed to using the power of business to create a better world. It is also the most progressive and influential network of MBAs in existence today. Originally founded as Students for Responsible Business in 1993, Net Impact has developed from a great idea shared by a few business students into a mission-driven network of over 9,000 new leaders for better business. Through our central office and 90 local chapters, we offer a portfolio of programs to help members broaden their business education, refine their leadership skills, and pursue their professional goals, while building their network.
- Planners Network
The Planners Network is an association of professionals, activists, academics, and students involved in a physical, social, economic, and environmental planning in urban and rural areas, who promote fundamental change in our political and economic systems. The Planners Network seeks to be an effective political and social force, working with other progressive organizations to inform public opinion and public policy and to provide assistance to those seeking to understand, control, and change the forces which affect their lives.
- Public Housing Authorities Directors Association
Founded in 1979, the Public Housing Authorities Directors Association (PHADA) represents the professional administrators of approximately 1,900 housing authorities from all over the United States. PHADA works closely with Members of Congress in efforts to develop sensible and effective public housing statues, and obtain adequate funding for low-income housing programs. The Association also serves as an advocate before the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on a variety of regulations governing public housing nationwide.
- Regional Plan Association (RPA)
Since 1922, the Regional Plan Association (RPA) has worked to improve the quality of life in the 21-county New York/New Jersey/Connecticut metropolitan area by creating long-term comprehensive plans and promoting their implementation across political boundaries. RPA recommends policy initiatives and physical and human infrastructure investments and involves the public in considering and shaping its future. RPA takes positions on major current public policy issues and works constructively and cooperatively on a non-partisan basis with public and private sector interests to advance its agenda.
- Smart Growth Network
In 1996, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency joined with several nonprofit and government organizations to form the Smart Growth Initiative (SGN). The Network was formed in response to increasing community concerns about the need for new ways to grow that boost the economy, protect the environment, and enhance community vitality. The Network’s partners include environmental groups, historic preservation organizations, developers, real estate interests, and local and state entities. The SGN is a forum for: raising public awareness of how growth can improve community quality of life; promoting smart growth best practices; developing and sharing information, innovative policies, tools, and ideas; cultivating strategies to address barriers and to advance opportunities for smart growth.
- Urban Affairs Association (UAA)
The Urban Affairs Association (UAA) is the international professional organization for urban scholars, researchers, and public service providers. UAA exists to encourage the dissemination of information about urbanism and urbanization, support the development of university education, research, and serve programs in urban affairs, and provide leadership in fostering urban affairs as a professional and academic field.
- Urban and Regional Information Systems Associations (URISA)
The Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) is a nonprofit association of professionals using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other information technologies to solve challenges in all state and local government agencies and departments. URISA is considered to be the premier organization for the use and integration of spatial information technology to improve the quality of life in urban and regional environments. Through its international, national and local chapter operations, URISA serves nearly 7,000 professionals worldwide.
- Urban Land Institute (ULI)
The Urban Land Institute (ULI) is a community of practice for those engaged in the entrepreneurial and collaborative process of real estate development and land use policy-making. Founded in 1936, ULI now has 17,000 members working in the public and private sectors, a staff of 100 in Washington, D.C., and a $27 million operating budget. ULI members are the people that plan, develop, and redevelop neighborhoods, business districts, and communities across the U.S. and all around the world - experts from 13 different product sectors and 26 disciplines, working in the private enterprise and public service.
