The Curbside Chat program covers the causes and impacts of the current economic crisis, examines case studies on the finances of America's development pattern, reviews ideas of the suburban era we need to shed and proposes strategies for adjusting to the new realities we face.

The Strong Towns Workshop covers Strong Towns Thinking, the predicament of funding, the finance of places, and understanding transportation and mobility.

Summary The 2015 APA-AL & APA-MS Joint Conference will be held October 7-9, 2015 in Orange Beach, Alabama at the Perdido Beach Resort. Click here for conference information or to register for the Conference

See the Agenda below for more information regarding the conference and sessions. Agenda Download the Data Conference 2016 Detailed Program Agenda (PDF) CMs have been applied for.

This workshop will provide real estate, development, and legal professional involved in land development and land use activities current and accurate information about wetland regulation, permitting, and compliance issues by using actual case studies to promote protection and better development practices.

This has been registered for 3 CMs (LAW).

This workshop will provide real estate, development, and legal professional involved in land development and land use activities current and accurate information about wetland regulation, permitting, and compliance issues by using actual case studies to promote protection and better development practices.

This has been registered for 3 CMs (LAW).

Summary The National Alliance of Preservation Commissions' biennial FORUM is the only national conference focused on the issues facing local historic preservation commissions and historic districts. FORUM 2016 celebrates both the 50th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act and the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service by focusing on challenges historic communities are […]

"Good Design. Good Business.” is the theme for Main Street Alabama’s 3rd annual aLABama Downtown Laboratory Conference, August 22-24, in Five Points South, Birmingham. The conference is highly anticipated and will be attended by downtown revitalization experts, historic preservationists and economic development professionals from across the state. Main Street Alabama has a packed conference planned with the focus on Design - one of the four points of the Main Street Approach.

This has been registered for 14.75 CMs.

Are you current on your knowledge of zoning laws? Can you confidently solve potential problems and ensure smooth zoning processes? Join us at this seminar where you'll learn to facilitate positive outcomes by understanding key components of the approval process, procedures for challenging a zoning decision, as well as requirements for administrative approach. Recognize constitutional limitations on zoning actions to ensure your actions are within the bounds of the law.

This has been registered for 6 CMs (LAW).

The conference’s theme is “It’s not just land use anymore”, and the sessions will include some non-traditional areas of planning. The conference will present timely planning topics in various areas including redevelopment, transportation, airports, and environmental planning.

Up to 15.75 CMs will be available for AICP members.

A discussion on how our local food systems can promote healthy local economics; how farm to school programs benefit families and the community; how healthy food systems can impact farmers and produce vendors as well as workforce development; farmer/produce vendor and transportation; learn how you are already an active part in this system…plus much more!

Powerful online tools are available to help planners, community leaders, conservation groups and resource managers. These tools help planners and other users understand and visualize the likely effects of heat, drought, flooding and sea level rise. Others tools enable planners and other users to identify potential plans and actions to protect citizens, infrastructure and natural resources.

Community plays a crucial role in shaping how we live and if we thrive. As our world
continues to urbanize, densify, and intensify, community is more critical than ever.
Drawn from more than three decades’ experience designing affordable multifamily
housing, these elegant, economical, and human-centric strategies support a high quality
of living for residents and neighbors alike. The "9 Ways to Build Community with Urban
Housing" range from the large-scale “Reweave the Urban Fabric”—which focuses on
maximizing adjacencies and reconnecting street grids—to the intimate “Get
Personal”—which builds in opportunities for self-expression. These flexible, accessible,
and complementary design strategies dignify and uplift residents, improve wellness and
stability, and support people to forge key bonds. Illustrated by examples from dozens of
built projects and long-time collaborations with developers, this talk shares a wide range
of successful applications of these community-oriented principles.

Robin Karson’s talk will make a persuasive case for Warren Manning’s historical and national importance. She will provide insights into Manning’s background and work and will speak to the broad strokes of both his 1919 City Plan of Birmingham and the design of Mountain Brook in the 1920s, with lots of interesting visuals.

Joel Duke, Planning Director for the City of Prattville will be the speaker to discuss the City’s current, and planned, downtown revitalization efforts and recounting the trials and successes involved in the process.

The 2018 Spring Workshop (South) will be held on April 30th, 2018 at the beautiful Graham Creek Nature Preserve in Foley, Alabama.  Registration includes a full day of speakers, great food/drink amenities, and a tour of the Nature Preserve.  This year’s speakers will include updates on Low Impact Development, the NFIP, FEMA mapping updates in coastal Alabama, an update on the Weeks Bay Watershed Management Plan, stream restorations and more. 

SAVE THE DATE!

Conference planning is underway. We will have more information to follow when it becomes available. 

The Alabama Association of Floodplain Managers is holding their annual conference once again in sunny, beautiful Orange Beach. They are anticipating a wide variety of speakers again this year for enriching your floodplain management knowledge.

Topic: The Singing River Trail: Planning for a North Alabama Connection Date/Time: Friday, February 26, 2021 – 11:45 am until 1:00 pm Format: Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89295433185?pwd=amJSTE9SVHJnWk5iKzdDVlJHSHRjUT09 Description: The Singing River Trail will be a 150 mile greenway/blueway digital trail system that will connect Scottsboro and the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains to the Shoals of […]

In 2019, Jacksonville State University’s Center for Economic Development and Business Research was contracted by the Southern Rail Commission to conduct an economic impact study for the expansion of passenger rail in the state of Alabama for various economic corridors and rail connecting centers.