About

Urban Design and Preservation Division members embrace the past, present, and future of our built environment. We provide a nationwide community for idea exchange and relationship building for urban design and historic preservation professionals. We promote the importance of design excellence, an equitable public realm, and stewardship of our historic places throughout the planning profession and beyond. 

This year, we've partnered with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the American Institute of Architects Regional and Urban Design Committee to develop joint programs and activities that benefit our mutual membership. We provide on-the-ground urban design and preservation technical assistance to help communities plan for their futures through our Design-Preservation Rapid Assistance Teams (D-PRAT). Our members support the development of emerging urban design and preservation professionals through the co-sponsorship of the APA Student Design Competition and our Division Student Scholars program. 

The Division includes a diverse leadership and volunteer team focused on education and outreach and providing benefits to members and allied colleagues working in government, private practice, not-for-profits, and the academy.

In 2023, the Division was recognized by receiving two APA Division Achievement Awards for Overall Division Performance and Contribution to the Planning Profession for our D-PRAT program.

If you find these topics of value, or if you are interested in working with fellow urban designers and preservationists, please consider volunteering.

We invite you to join and get involved.