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. 

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.

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.

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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