MNAPA - Minnesota Chapter American Planning Association

Purpose

To recognize outstanding achievements in community planning and urban design, to educate and inform the Chapter members, to advance the profession, and to publicize individuals whose activities improve planning and design in Minnesota.

Eligibility

The person most responsible for the project must be a member of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Planning Association. Membership is not required for individuals nominated for distinguished leadership or lifetime achievement, or for students nominating their work. You may nominate your own work.

Award Categories

§ Outstanding Planning or Urban Design

§ Plan Implementation

§ Public Education

§ Distinguished Leadership or Lifetime Achievement

§ Student Planning Projects

Judging and Awards Ceremony

Nominations will be reviewed by another chapter of the American Planning Association. Those making nominations will be notified of the results by August 29, 2008. Jurors are under no obligation to grant an award in any category or subcategory. Awards will be presented at a noon luncheon on September 23 during MnAPA’s state planning conference, which will be held on September 22nd to 24th at Duluth Entertainment and Conference Center. Award winners will receive a personalized plaque or certificate, and will be featured in a presentation during the conference and in the MnAPA newsletter and the Chapter Website following the conference. Award winners will be asked to prepare and present a display board summarizing their entry at the conference.

Submission Requirements

Nominators must complete the 2008 Awards Entry From and submit 5 sets of the required information. All descriptive and supporting materials listed on the application form must be included with the entry. Entries should be packaged in a three-ring binder or similar form. If a copy of the plan document is submitted, a digital copy may be submitted instead of a paper copy. Entry materials will not be returned.

Entries should be submitted to:

Bill Weber, AICP
McCombs Frank Roos Associates, Inc., 14800 28^th Avenue North, Plymouth, Minnesota 55447

Questions

Questions should be directed to Awards Committee Co-Chairs Michele McPherson at 320-983-8206, michele.mcpherson@co.mille-lacs.mn.us, or Bill Weber, 763-259-6695, bweber@mfra.com.
Program Categories and Review Criteria

Outstanding Planning or Urban Design Category

Any plan, project, program, tool or ordinance nominated must have been adopted, published or completed within the last three years.

Plan

For an officially adopted plan.

Urban Design

For a physical design for community growth, redevelopment or public space improvement.

Review Criteria for the Outstanding Planning Category

§ Originality or Innovation: Does the entry present a visionary approach or innovative concept within the context of the jurisdiction’s situation? Has the initiative addressed the need identified in the nomination? Has the planning process expanded on accepted planning principles?

§ Transferability: Does the entry provide an example for other jurisdictions? Would broader application of this effort’s components and methodology further the cause of good planning?

§ Quality: Does the entry show excellence in thought, analysis, writing, graphics, and application of ethical planning principles? Were available resources used in a well-conceived and appropriate format?

§ Comprehensiveness: Were planning principles observed, especially in light of the entry's impact on other public objectives? Did the entry fully address the issues or achieve its intended objectives? Does the entry include elements important to the local community?

§ Public Participation and Collaboration: Did the public participate in the effort? How far did the effort go to solicit input from those who historically have been left out of the planning process? Has the entry gained public support and acceptance? Did the process involve collaboration between competing interests. How were those affected were brought into the planning process?

§ Role of the Planner: How APA members play a significant role? Has this entry enhanced recognition of the role of planners and the planning process?

§ Effectiveness: Has the entry addressed the need or problem that prompted its initiation? Have these results made a difference in the lives of the public?

Plan Implementation Category

Plan Implementation

For implementing a project or plan that accomplishes its objectives in a substantial, timely and sustainable manner. May include exemplary governmental customer service initiatives, information materials or delivery process.

Review Criteria for the Plan Implementation Category

§ Sustained Improvement: Has the level of implementation been consistent over time? What changes, derailments or improvements have occurred during implementation?

§ Funding: Did the project overcome funding hurdles?

§ Community Acceptance and Support: Has the longevity of this effort increased the community’s appetite for planning and the pursuit of similar initiatives? To what extent has this effort achieved sustained success beyond its general audience?

Public Education Category

For an individual, project, or program that informed or educated the public about planning. This may include, broad community efforts showing how planning can make a difference, curriculum designed to teach youth about planning, initiatives to include broader public involvement in planning, use of technology to expand public participation in planning, outreach programs to the media, or a journalistic article or series.

Review Criteria for the Public Education Category

§ Originality: Did the entry use innovative ideas to address a demonstrated need for planning information or education within the jurisdiction?

§ Quality: Does the entry show excellence in thought, analysis, writing, and use of graphics? Were available resources used in a thoughtful and ethical process?

§ Education: Has the entry increased understanding of planning principles and the planning process?

§ Transferability: Does the entry provide an example for other jurisdictions? Would more widespread application of this effort be in the interest of the planning profession?

§ Effectiveness: Has the entry been effective in implementing plans and ideas and furthering the cause of planning? Has the entry encouraged community leaders to revise their opinions about the varied uses and broad applications of the planning process? Has the entry influenced public awareness beyond those immediately affected?

Distinguished Leadership or Lifetime Achievement Category

A Distinguished Leadership Award or a Lifetime Achievement Award may be given for sustained and significant contributions to the profession by individuals from these groups:

Professional Planner

To an individual for sustained contribution to the planning profession through distinguished practice, teaching, or writing. This person must make (or have made) his/her living in the practice of planning, whether in the public, for-profit or not-for-profit sector.

Citizen Planner

To an individual who advanced or promoted the cause of planning in the public arena as a member of a planning commission, board of zoning appeals, economic development board, or another appointed position or as a citizen activist or neighborhood leader. Those earning their living as planners or who serve as elected officials are not eligible for this award.

Elected Official

To an individual elected to public office for a significant contribution to planning.

Review Criteria for the Distinguished Leadership or Lifetime Achievement Category

§ Support of Planning/Planners: To what extent has the nominee's work increased the understanding of planning principles and the planning process? How has the nominee shown a clear understanding and support for the role of planners in public life?

§ Effectiveness: To what extent has the nominee been effective in formulating and implementing plans and ideas and furthering the cause of planning? Within what sphere of influence has this effectiveness been realized?

§ Eligibility: Candidates cannot be self-nominated. MnAPA membership is not required.

Student Projects

Students are encouraged to submit projects for awards. Student projects may be submitted under any of the above categories and will be evaluated only against other student projects. Students enrolled in a Minnesota collegiate program or who maintain residency in Minnesota are eligible. Student membership in MnAPA is encouraged but not required.

Submission Requirements

Please submit 5 collated sets of the following items.

1. A completed Nomination Form (see the next page).

2. The entry fee (see the Entry Form for the amount).

3. A three-ring binder or equivalent containing the required attachments including a page to securely hold the compact disk(s).

4. Text (up to five pages) summarizing the plan, project or person and how it / he / she meets the Review Criteria for the category.

5. PowerPoint presentation (up to eight pages on a CD) explaining the project and supplementing the text. Please key each PowerPoint page to a section of the text and include a caption on each PowerPoint page. The PowerPoint pages should be keyed into the written description. Please write brief text for each slide in the Notes Page feature of PowerPoint. That text will be read when the presentation is shown to the audience during the awards presentation at the conference.

5. For the Outstanding Planning or Urban Design category:

§ The adopted plan document or planning tool. A .pdf file on a compact disk may be used instead of a paper copy if desired.

§ The text summary and comparison to the Review Criteria

§ The PowerPoint presentation.

6. For the Plan Implementation and Public Education categories:

§ The text summary and comparison to the Review Criteria.

§ The PowerPoint presentation.

7. For the Distinguished Leadership or Lifetime Achievement categories:

§ The text summary and comparison to the Review Criteria.

§ The PowerPoint presentation. Please also include a photo of the nominee.