Who We Are Urban Design and Preservation Division
If you are interested in the past and future of our built environment, the APA Urban Design and Preservation Division is the group to join. Our Division provides 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.
RUDC Urban Design Symposium - Oct 19-20 Cities in Transition Symposium
Join us for an in-person two-day Urban Design Symposium on October 19 and 20 in Washington, DC. We will delve into emerging trends, theories, and technologies that are shaping the future of regional and urban design. We're pleased to collaborate with the AIA Regional and Urban Design Committee on the "Cities in Transition: Designing for a World in Flux" symposium.
National Trust for Historic Preservation - Nov 8-10 PastForward Preservation Conference
Celebrate the power of place and join fellow preservationists and preservation lovers at the nation’s premier conference for those who work to save, sustain, and interpret historic places—PastForward 2023, November 8-10 in Washington, D.C. The Urban Design and Preservation Division is pleased to collaborate with the Trust on an affordable housing and historic preservation conference panel! Early Bird registration ends September 22.
Planning, Preservation, & Change Webinars
Planners shape and manage community change. Preservationists connect important stories, memories, and places to our communities. The National Trust for Historic Preservation and the American Planning Association Urban Design and Preservation Division have joined in exploring planning and preservation issues and opportunities presented by future change at our recent two-part webinar series. Watch the webinars: Part One, "How Planning and Preservation Can Work Together to Create Great Places" and Part Two, "Preservation - An Effective Planning Tool".
2024 APA Student Planning & Design Competition
Now in its seventh year, the competition invites multidisciplinary teams of students pursuing graduate degrees in planning, public policy, urban design, architecture, and real estate development to participate.
The 2024 Student Planning and Design Competition Project Site Location is The New Nicollet Redevelopment in Minneapolis, MN!
The APA Urban Design and Preservation Division, Student Representative Council, and Divisions Council proudly sponsor this annual competition. The competition will open on October 2, 2023, with the final jury at NPC24 in Minneapolis, MN.
What is Urban Design?
The Division's 2022 Scholar, Katelyn Huang, made an introductory video for students and emerging professionals interested in urban design. It's featured below!
Seeking D-PRAT Volunteers: N. Miami, FL
The Urban Design and Preservation Division’s Design and Preservation Rapid Assistance Team (D-PRAT) is a pro-bono program to support under-resourced communities and organizations in their efforts to collaboratively plan for the future of Urban Design and Preservation in their areas.
We are preparing to launch our third D-PRAT program this fall, working with the community of North Miami, FL, to help them plan for streetscape, historic preservation, and public space design. We are looking for Division volunteers to support the virtual team or participate in the on-site, two-day workshop in mid-October through early November!
