Read about APA Los Angeles' COVID-19 Response
Sign up for our Newsletter
  • About APA Los Angeles
    • Leadership
    • Meetings & Bylaws
    • 2019-2021 Strategic Plan
    • Policy & Legislation
    • State & National APA
    • Contact Us
  • Professional Development
    • University Engagement & Student Support
    • Young & Emerging Planners
    • AICP – Get & Stay Certified
    • Leadership Program
  • News & Events
    • News & Newsletter
    • Events
    • Blog
    • Submit an Announcement
  • Awards
    • 2022 Planning Awards
    • Past Awards
  • Resources
    • Diversity Initiatives
    • Jobs
    • RFPs & RFQs
    • Consultant Directory
    • Links
  • Join & Support
    • Join APA
    • Swag Store
    • Sponsorship & Advertising

News & Blog Posts

Comment are off

Michael Woo Receives APA California’s Planning Pioneer Award and the Planner Emeritus Network Honor Award

19 Oct 2020
Ashley Hefner

The American Planning Association, Los Angeles Section (APA Los Angeles) proudly announces that Michael Woo, Dean Emeritus Cal Poly Pomona College of Environmental Design, is the recipient of the APA California Planning Pioneer Award and Planner’s Emeritus Network (PEN) Honors Award. The awards were announced at the September 16, 2020, APA California Conference Awards Ceremony.  A pioneering urbanist who represents the connection between professional planning and urban quality of life, Michael Woo has for four decades championed and fostered ideas and organizations that further sustainable development and inclusive communities.

The Hollywood that we know today – the Hollywood Farmers Market, uniquely-designed subway stations, the preserved El Capitan Theater and Hollywood thriving in the age of streaming – is the outcome of a series of plans Michael Woo initiated, advocated, and implemented to arrest the district’s failing social and environmental conditions: The Hollywood Redevelopment Plan (1986), Hollywood Boulevard District Urban Design Plan (1986, 1993) the Hollywood Community Plan update (1989), and the Hollywood Social Services Plan (1989).  As a member of the Los Angeles City Planning Commission (2005-2012), he carried the banner for many forward-looking ideas such as breaking away from mandatory off-street parking linked to new multifamily residential development and raising public health concerns about freeway-adjacent residents breathing polluted air from diesel trucks.

Michael Woo deepened his impact to urban planning through his highly-regarded leadership of local, state, and national organizations.   Michael Woo served as Chairman of the Board of Directors at Smart Growth America.  He also served as Interim President of the Los Angeles County Grand Park Foundation, Director of Los Angeles Programs at Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), and Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Sustainable Economic Enterprises of Los Angeles (SEE-LA).  More recently, Michael has become a vocal advocate for diversifying the outdoors when he was a member of the Parks Forward Commission and shepherding innovative and design-focused solutions as Dean of Cal Poly Pomona’s College of Environmental Design. He brings national attention to outdoor inclusivity as a member of REI Co-op Advisory Council.

The APA Planning Pioneer Award honors individuals whose contributions to the profession are more than 25 years old and have significantly redirected planning practice, education, or theory with long-term results.  The PEN Honor Awards are presented to persons for their outstanding contribution to the planning profession or for a significant accomplishment which enhanced the recognition of planning.

If you would like more information about the annual APA Los Angeles Awards, please contact Bryan Fernandez, Vice Director of Awards, at awards@apalosangeles.org.  All 2020 APA Los Angeles Awards recipients are found at https://www.apalosangeles.org/awards.

Social Share

  • google-share

Recent News

Coming Soon: Call for 2023 Awards Applications and Jurors!

26 Jan 2023

2023 Student Showcase - Now Accepting Abstracts

06 Jan 2023

APA Los Angeles Board Seeks Student Representatives for the 2022-2023 Academic Year!

09 Dec 2022

Help Shape the Future of the Valley at the 2023 Our Region | Our Future Summit

23 Nov 2022

APA Los Angeles Board of Directors Voting Open November 8th Through November 29th

08 Nov 2022

APA California Sections

  • Central
  • Central Coast
  • Inland Empire
  • Los Angeles
  • Northern
  • Orange County
  • Sacramento Valley
  • San Diego

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Join APA
  • Contact Us

Search

facebook
twitter
instagram
linkedin
© APA Los Angeles