Save the Dates! APA MD and MPCA to Host First Collaborative Conference in Ellicott City October 20 – 22, 2024

“Two Tracks, One Destination”

Citizen and Professional Planners Working together to Shape Sustainable Development Across Maryland

Tackling challenging, but promising, 21st-century issues requires collaboration between engaged citizen planning boards and local planning departments. It takes an “all hands on board” approach to fuel sustainable development, creating vibrant places while protecting Maryland’s natural resources and supporting a healthy economy.

To further this venture, the Maryland Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA MD) the Maryland Planning Commissioners Association (MPCA) and will hold a combined conference in 2024 at Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City.

Over two and a half days, this conference will feature required training sessions and workshops on topics of interest to members of each organization as well as workshops and plenary sessions of importance to both. Additionally, tours of nearby Columbia and Historic Ellicott City are in the works

Be sure to visit the APA MD and MPCA websites for more information and look for updates and announcements right here in the “MPCA Corner.” (Subscribe today to have Planning Practice Monthly delivered to your inbox and never miss important planning news. Subscribe to receive APA MD updates)

APA MD is committed to advancing the planning profession and supporting its members across the state. Its mission is to foster collaboration, provide education, and recognize excellence within the planning community. Through effective communication, inclusive programming, and opportunities for professional growth, APA MD strives to empower planners at all stages of their careers. By promoting certification, facilitating networking, and celebrating achievements, the organization aims to attract and retain members while securing vital sponsorship to sustain its initiatives.

The MPCA is a statewide, nonprofit educational organization of municipal, county, and regional planning commissioners, and boards of zoning appeals members. It is dedicated to the continuing education and professionalism of its members, supporting improved efficiency and effectiveness of local planning boards and commissions. MPCA’s members work to improve the quality of life for all Marylanders through planning, environmental protection, historic preservation, and growth management.

NPC23 Conference Highlights from University of Maryland Community Planning Students

Students Pictured Left to Right: Sam Gordon, Maura Dwyer, Salma Haoudi, Angela Brooks, Alanna Anderson, Pamela Owusu Nkwantabisah, Dominique Gebru, Hoang Edullantes

During this years’ NPC23 annual conference, eight students from the University of Maryland’s Masters Program in Urban Studies and Community Planning attended the in-person conference on the weekend of April 1 - 2nd. 

Below are a few highlights and photos to document our time. Overall, it was a great opportunity to connect with planning professionals across the country, learn more about potential job pathways in planning, and understand where our academic studies and personal interests intersect with the real-world planning issues. 

Several students appreciated the tours of the area on the first and second day. As a place-based profession, it’s only appropriate that the National Planning Conference (NPC) featured sessions in and about the host city of Philadelphia! 

Highlights:

Second year Community Planning student Dominique Gebru noted, “Before starting my MCP, I spent more than five years working in communications for the federal government. My favorite sessions at NPC helped me see the ample opportunities there are to tie in my past career with my next one in the planning space, as well as how necessary storytelling is in the planning process.” 

Second year Community Planning student Pamela Owusu Nkwantabisah shared that one of her highlights was a session on leadership specifically about mentoring women leaders and women in minority groups within the planning field, “considering that Black, female, professional planners make up only 3% of the field. The speakers and participants alike shared how to identify individuals with potential and ways” to support their growth. 

First year Community Planning student Maura Dwyer appreciated the emphasis on professional development with a student’s perspective in mind. She was able to take advantage of the free headshot service, attend multiple workplace culture info sessions that compared working in the public and private sector of planning, and spoke with Program Coordinators of internship positions she’ll be applying for next year. “My background is primarily in non-profit arts administration and cultural planning, so it was helpful to hear details about what it might be like to work for a private consulting firm or public agency from those currently in the field.”

During lunch and evenings, we found nearby Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants in Philadelphia’s bustling Chinatown community and visited the renowned Reading Terminal for the best sandwiches and coffee in Philadelphia more than once! 

We ended the weekend with Urban Studies and Planning alumni and current students during a celebratory reunion on Sunday evening at the Caribou Café in Philadelphia. It was a great reminder that conference presenters and alumni are our future colleagues, and we will continue to learn about new tools and strategies together to sharpen our skillset and impact.

Sarah Diehl Appointed as New Chapter Secretary

On November 15, 2019, the APA Maryland Board voted to appoint Sarah Diehl to fill the remainder of the term of Board Secretary to replace Holly Tompkins, who unfortunately needed to step down for personal reasons. Sarah will serve as one of the 11 voting members of the APA Board until December 31, 2020.

Sarah currently works at JMT where she is an urban planner and landscape designer. She enjoys focusing on multi-modal transportation planning efforts and streetscape design projects. She is experienced in transportation planning, research techniques, GIS data analysis, technical writing, public meeting facilitation, and graphic design and holds a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture and a master’s degree in urban/regional planning. She recently served on the MD APA 2019 Conference Committee and was instrumental in planning and executing our successful fall conference at Rocky Gap, Maryland. Outside of the office, Sarah enjoys reading, cooking, taking on DIY projects, and traveling with friends and family. She is currently working towards her AICP certification.

APA Maryland welcomes Sarah aboard, and wishes Holly good luck in all of her future endeavors. If you are interested in volunteering with APA Maryland, send us an email at contact@apamaryland.org and let us know how you would like to become involved.