2020 Chapter Awards

At its Annual Conference - held virtually due to COVID-19, the New York Upstate Chapter of the American Planning Association recognized 12 winners at its 2020 Professional Awards Program. The honorees include best planning practices, plan implementation, and comprehensive planning, Great Places in Upstate NY, and a planning professional.

These awards recognize outstanding contributions to the field of city, town, and regional planning. The Professional Awards program recognized outstanding submissions in the following areas: comprehensive planning, implementation, public outreach, best practice, and distinguished leadership.

“The Professional Awards celebrate the hard and rewarding work that our colleagues do each day,” said Sean Maguire, AICP CEcD. Maguire, Vice President of the Chapter and Chair of the Awards Committee said that this year’s program is particularly important because planners are a critical link in any COVID-19 recovery efforts and these awards demonstrate the importance of planning in our communities. “We’re really pleased to recognize these outstanding applicants and there is no better time to do so than at our conference and following National Community Planning Month and World Town Planning Day.”

The American Planning Association provides leadership in the development of vital communities by advocating excellence in planning, promoting education and citizen empowerment, and providing our members with the tools and support necessary to meet the challenges of growth and change. The New York Upstate Chapter of the American Association advances the work of the national organization in 48 counties north of the New York City metropolitan region.

The projects and individual recognized include:

  • Best Practice

    • Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus Placemaking Master Plan and Best Practices Report

    • Town of Colonie Remote Planning Board Meetings

    • Board & Batten (University at Buffalo)

    • "Manufactured Housing: An Affordable Housing Option for Post-Industrial Cities (University at Buffalo)

    • The Fulmer GreenPlain Flood Mitigation and Floodplain Restoration

    • Allegheny River Public Access & Recreation Plan

    • Village of Pittsford Joint Comprehensive Plan & Zoning Code Update

  • Comprehensive Planning

    • Rochester 2034 Comprehensive Plan

    • Erie County Parks Master Plan

  • Implelemtation

    • Buffalo Green Code Unified Development Ordinance

  • Great Places in Upstate New York

    • Erie County Tribute Garden

  • Distinguished Leadership:  Upstate Fellow

    • Andrew Raus, AICP