About the APA Los Angeles Planning Awards

UPDATED ON MARCH 19, 2021
Every year, the APA Los Angeles Planning Awards celebrate the outstanding work, best practices, and thought leaders that impact the built and natural environment in Los Angeles County. We are seeking applications that demonstrate the power of great planning and strongly encourage applications from underrepresented groups, areas of practice, and projects. Award submissions are evaluated by a jury of experienced planning professionals, and recipients are recognized at the annual awards event held in June. Our awards program celebrates the wonderful work, organizations, and individuals creating great communities for all across our diverse county.   

Contact

If you have any questions, or would like assistance in the application process, please contact Marina Salazar, Vice-Director of Awards at awards@apalosangeles.org. 

2021 Call for Applications

APA Los Angeles will be accepting applications for the 2021 Planning Awards until the deadline of APRIL 12th, 2021 at 11:59 PM PST.  All applications must be submitted and must include required application materials via the Google form (below).  For program details, award categories, and required selection criteria for each category, please see the Chapter Awards Program Policy. 

Required Application Materials

• 2021 APA Los Angeles Application (Google Form)
• System Requirements – Need Google account

Eligibility 

• Any plan, project, program, tool, process, report or ordinance may only be entered in one award category per award year.
• Any plan, project, program, tool, process, report, or ordinance entered must have been published, implemented, or completed within three years of the date of submission. Published drafts of plans are not acceptable. This does not apply to the Implementation award category.
• An individual may not nominate himself/herself (the individual) for an award. Anyone working on a plan or project may nominate that plan or project for an award.
• The application’s area of impact must be located within Los Angeles County, and the individual or firm or agency being nominated must be recognized for their work or impact within Los Angeles County.
• Prior award-winning projects or individual winners may not be nominated.
• APA Los Angeles uses the award categories and criteria outlined in the “APA California’s Award Program Policy” document for their awards program. The Section also has four “Section Only” awards described below.

Selection/Award Recipients

By submitting the application, the nominator agrees to the awards process and to all decisions by APA Los Angeles on the application. Applicants will be notified of receipt by email no later than a week after submitting the application. Notifications of the outcome will be shared by email no later than April 30th. The APA California Planning Award Nominations are due May 15th. Recipients will also be assisted in their applications for the APA California Awards and APA’s National Planning Awards.  One award plaque per award winner will be provided courtesy of APA Los Angeles. Additional plaques will be available for purchase by recipients.

Los Angeles Section and California Chapter Awards Coordination

All Chapter award applicants must first apply at the Section level where the project, plan, or work occurred in order to be eligible for a Chapter award, unless the Awards Program Policies allow it. The Section will provide a list of all local award applicants and winners to the Chapter Awards coordinators.

Los Angeles Section Only Award Categories

In addition to the APA California Award Categories, the APA Los Angeles Section has four award categories that are considered “Section Only” awards and are not eligible to compete at the State level. The same basic rules from the State policies are the same regarding the process, the jury, and the awards selection. Each category can only award one Award of Excellence and one Award of Merit. These are the categories and the required criteria:

Environmental Planning Award

To an environmental assessment document of unusually high merit that has been certified within the past 3 years.

• Originality: Innovative concepts or appreciable refinement of existing techniques or procedures.
• Transferability: Potential applicability in other areas or to other projects. Quality. Excellence of thought, analysis, writing, graphics, and character of presentation.
• Implementation: Effectiveness of the work; proposals have been carried out or show promise of being carried out.
• Comprehensiveness: Planning, environmental, and CEQA principles have been observed, especially in considering a project’s effects on public objectives.

Innovative Use of Technology Award

To a program or process which features an innovative use of technology to further the goals for the planning process.

• Originality and Innovation: Describe how the entry used technology in new and innovative ways to achieve projects in the planning field. 
• Effectiveness and Results: State how your entry achieved its desired outcomes. Convey the level the new use of technology can make an impact over time and inspire others over time.

John Chase Visionary Award

To an individual affiliated with the field of planning for a significant contribution in urban design, writing, architecture, planning, or any other related area of practice where creativity, critical thinking, mentorship, or a combination thereof, demonstrate a passion for planning as a true visionary. This award is given in memory of John Chase for sharing his extraordinary vision and leaving his mark on the field of planning.

• Significant Contribution: Explain how the nominee has made a significant contribution in urban design, writing, architecture, planning or any other related area of practice where creativity, critical thinking, mentorship, or a combination thereof, demonstrate a passion for planning as a true visionary.

Neighborhood Planning Award

This award will go to a neighborhood plan, program, design, or related effort that demonstrates innovative planning principles and measures that create sustainable neighborhoods of lasting value.

• Planning and Innovation: What critical planning elements are addressed by the nominated effort in terms of creating new neighborhoods and redesigning older neighborhoods? As an example, but not limited to, how does the nomination contribute to residents doing more walking, biking, or taking part in other physical activities? Does the plan call for placing schools closer to the homes where students and their families live? How are smart growth principles used to guide design of new neighborhoods as well as reinvestment decisions affecting older areas? How does the plan help create more diverse housing opportunities and address affordable housing needs? 
• Plan Compatibility: How is the neighborhood plan, project, initiative, or other nominated effort compatible with the corresponding city comprehensive or master plan, district or special-use plans, city recreational plans, economic development plans, conservation area plans, environmental planning, capital improvement programs, zoning ordinances, or other related planning initiatives?  In what ways does the neighborhood plan or planning effort support the broader needs of the community and surrounding region or addresses citywide objectives?
• Collaboration and Partnerships: What formal and informal steps were taken for neighborhood leaders to meet among themselves and with local officials to discuss the plan and plan implementation? What strategic partnerships or alliances were developed to help meet the goals and objectives of the nominated effort? 
• Social Concerns: How does the nominated effort address not only physical conditions of the neighborhood, but also issues involving the diversity and social make-up of the neighborhood? Does the plan or effort facilitate the development of mixed-income neighborhoods?