APA’s Annual List Recognizes 15 Great Neighborhoods, Streets, and Public Spaces
Photos from American Planning Association’s website
Washington, DC— The American Planning Association (APA) today named Old Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky, as one of five Great Neighborhoods on the organization’s annual Great Places in America list.
As part of National Community Planning Month, APA’s Great Places in America program recognizes streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces in the United States demonstrating exceptional character, quality, and planning—attributes that enrich communities, facilitate economic growth, and inspire others around the country. The Great Neighborhoods, Great Streets, and Great Public Spaces of 2016 are places that are unique and exemplary in their amenities and infrastructure, cultural identity, and use of sustainable and innovative practices.
“The neighborhoods on this year’s list are a testament to the critical role of planning in creating more dynamic, equitable, economically healthy communities,” said Carol Rhea, FAICP, president of APA. “Through careful thought, foresight, innovation, and cooperation, this year’s designees are building better places to live, work, play, and visit and setting an example for other neighborhoods nationwide. We congratulate them on their efforts and this worthy distinction.”
Since launching the Great Places in America program in 2007, APA has recognized 260 neighborhoods, streets, and public spaces around the country. Places are selected annually and represent the gold standard in terms of having a true sense of place, cultural and historical interest, community involvement, and a vision for the future.
Old Louisville contains three National Register Districts and such a diversity of persons and activities that it constitutes a “city within a city.” One of the first residential neighborhoods in the city, Old Louisville is steeped in historical legacy and spirit that lives on thanks to its robust community involvement. In addition to Old Louisville, APA also recognized the following neighborhoods this year:
Downtown Santa Ana – Santa Ana, California
Midtown Atlanta -Atlanta, Georgia
Nob Hill -Albuquerque, New Mexico
Downtown Warren – Warren, Rhode Island
For more information about these neighborhoods, as well as APA’s Great Public Spaces and Streets for 2016 and previous years, visit www.planning.org/greatplaces.
Additionally, for the third year, members of the public can suggest their favorite public space, neighborhood, or street to earn a “People’s Choice” designation. During the first half of October, individuals can offer suggestions via APA’s social media channels using the hashtag #APAgreatplaces. APA will select five finalists that the public can vote on via APA’s website. The “People’s Choice” winner is announced in early November 2016.
The Great Places in America announcement launches APA’s National Community Planning Month celebration. The month of October is a time to highlight the ways in which good planning creates communities of lasting value. For more about National Community Planning Month, visit www.planning.org/ncpm.
The American Planning Association is an independent, not- for-profit educational organization that provides leadership in the development of vital communities. APA and its professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners, are dedicated to advancing the art, science and profession of good planning — physical, economic and social — so as to create communities that offer better choices for where and how people work and live. Members of APA help create communities of lasting value and encourage civic leaders, business interests and citizens to play a meaningful role in creating communities that enrich people’s lives. APA has offices in Washington, D.C., and Chicago. For more information, visit www.planning.org.
