Planners' Day on Capitol Hill 2026
Registration is now open for Planners’ Day on Capitol Hill, the annual advocacy event for planning professionals. This year’s event will be held entirely online on June 10, giving participants the opportunity to engage with Congress, sharpen advocacy skills, and advance housing and zoning reform policies. Registration is open until May 20—don’t miss this chance to make your voice heard!
2026 Annual Chapter Conference: Upstate Renaissance
Join planners from across New York State for our annual chapter conference including the annual meeting and awards program. Save the date!
Wednesday, October 14 - Friday, October 16, 2026 in Albany NY
The 2026 conference, Upstate Renaissance: Collaboration, Momentum, Shared Prosperity, will explore real-world examples, tools, and innovative techniques to advance skills and knowledge in the following areas:
Building consensus for long-term resilience and sustainability
Recognizing and evaluating transformative redevelopment opportunities
Applying equity-centered planning approaches
And more!
The Conference will open with registration at 12 noon on Wednesday, October 14. Enjoy two and half days to engage in conversations on best practices related to various topics in our upstate communities, earn continuing AICP education credits, and build relationships with other members across the state.
More to come:
Room block & registration to open in spring 2026.
Call for sessions in spring 2026.
Sponsorship opportunities available now!
APA New York Upstate Chapter Reception at NPC
Join us at the National Planning Conference in Detroit, MI this April for a joint reception on Monday, April 27.
2026 National Planning Conference
Find Your Groove in Detroit
NPC26 is your ultimate ticket to connect with your professional community. Join us in Detroit and immerse yourself in an inspiring network of peers that will empower you to build the future of the planning profession.
Detroit | April 25-28, 2026
Huntington Place Convention Center
Registration Opens in January 2026
NPC26 educational tracks will include sessions on these topics:
Climate Change, Energy, and the Environment
Economic Trends and Transformations
Emerging and Evolving Technology
Inclusive Planning for Social Change
Upskilling for the Future
Housing Challenges and Solutions
Navigating the Political Landscape
Transportation and Infrastructure
CDPA Happy Hour in Glens Falls
Join CDPA members and friends at the Golden Monkey Lounge in Glens Falls for a Happy Hour/Social.
This event is co-sponsored by Labella Associates.
WNY Career Workshop and Networking
Bring your resume and cover letter to get feedback and/or sign-up to participate in mock interviews, all with help from local planning professionals.
CDPA x GPSSA Mentorship Program and Social Event
Join the Capital District Planners Association and the University at Albany’s Geography, Planning, and Sustainability Student Association for its December Mentorship Program and Social Event! Planning pros and students are all welcome!
We’ll be at Fidens Brewing Company in Albany’s Warehouse District - located at 897 Broadway, Albany and served by CDTA Routes 22, 805, and 806. The program runs from 4:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.
Registration is NOT required. A cash bar will be available.
Q&A w/ Steven Higashide, author of Better Buses, Better Cities
Meet Steven Higashide, author of "Better Buses, Better Cities: How to Plan, Run, and Win the Fight for Effective Transit."
Higashide's book describes what a successful bus system looks like with real-world stories of reform—such as Houston redrawing its bus network overnight, Boston making room on its streets to put buses first, and Indianapolis winning better bus service on Election Day. He shows how to marshal the public in support of better buses and how new technologies can keep buses on time and make complex transit systems understandable.
Higashide is the Clean Transportation Program Director at the Union of Concerned Scientists. He has also served as director of research at TransitCenter and a senior planner at the Tri-State Transportation Campaign.
Rethinking Roads: A Complete Streets Approach to Safer Communities
Across Florida and the nation, transportation planners and local leaders are rethinking how streets can serve people—not just cars. This webinar explores how the Complete Streets approach advances safety, accessibility, and community resilience through coordinated action at the national, regional, and local levels.
The speakers will explore how national policy guidance, regional coordination, and local implementation can align to create safer, more connected streets and vibrant, people-focused communities.
This event has been taken from the American Planning Association’s website for member convenience. The New York Upstate Chapter is not responsible for its content.
How Honolulu Cut Plan Review Using AI
In this session, Dawn Takeuchi Apuna, Director of Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP), will share how AI-powered copilots help staff complete plan reviews in as little as 15 minutes, and applicants submit an approvable permit application on their first try.
You’ll see a walkthrough of Honolulu’s AI plan review software, and learn how:
Permit applicants can pre-check their application for completeness and code compliance to increase the chances they’ll be approved on the first try.
Staff are able to get through reviews 70%+ faster with support from an AI-powered validation tool and access to all pre-check information, calculations, and code checks on one screen.
Newer reviewers can complete reviews faster with help from an AI copilot that provides clear, easy-to-follow guidance for every check.
You can apply Honolulu’s implementation and change management lessons to successfully implement AI plan review software in your community.
This event has been taken from the American Planning Association’s website for member convenience. The New York Upstate Chapter is not responsible for its content.
A Conversation with Dr. Petra Doan: How Planning Affects Queer Space
In celebration of Trans Awareness Week (November 13–19), the APA LGBTQ & Planning Division invites you to join Dr. Petra Doan for a one-hour educational session examining how planning tools influence the presence and persistence of queer urban spaces.
This webinar is designed to help planners understand how land use regulations—including zoning, nuisance ordinances, noise controls, bar licensing, and family definitions—shape the social and spatial realities of LGBTQ+ communities. Participants will learn to identify regulatory barriers and opportunities within their own jurisdictions and explore practical approaches to more inclusive, equitable planning practices.
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Rural Transit: How to Tackle the Impossible
Rural Transit seems like an impossible dream - but it doesn't have to be. Find out how you can start creating a successful transit program in your area.
Webinar: Preparing Upstate for Growth
This webinar is an adaption of a speech given by Bill Fulton to the Onondaga County Planning Federation. After decades of stagnation, many parts of Upstate New York now face significant growth challenges because of the tech boom (i.e., Micron in Syracuse). How can these municipalities prepare for growth that has never been seen in many people's lifetimes?
A Faster and Better Comprehensive Plan
Many communities are reluctant to take up comprehensive planning because it seems to them - often correctly - to be an overwhelmingly long and complicated job. The complexity doesn't just hinder a community's willingness to do it, but can also exhaust participants, who then also see local conditions (that motivated the plan) changing before the plan is even done. From nearly four decades of experience, Dr. Sternberg is proposing a way to simplify and speed up the town, city, or village plan, while adhering to all statutory requirements.
Regulating Controversial Uses
In partnership with the New York Planning Federation, we are happy to present this exciting MEMBERS ONLY webinar!
Regulating Controversial Uses
As work and life change, planning and regulation need to be revised or even reconsidered to accommodate this change. Among the most challenging issues is permitted uses - what is and is not allowed. This "Learn at Lunch" examines controversial uses such as tattoo parlors, new uses such as mixed use, and unanticipated uses. Learn how to address these legally, sustain community, and accommodate appropriately the ever-evolving needs of residents, businesses, and visitors.
Annual Chapter Conference
See you at our Annual Conference to engage in conversations on best practices related to various topics in our upstate communities, earn continuing AICP education credits, and build relationships with other members across the state.
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION IS SOLD OUT! To be added to a waitlist for any changes, please contact Kate at kate@nyupstateplanning.org.
