American Planning Association, California Chapter, 2008 State Conference – A Hollywood Debut

The 2008 State Conference for the California Chapter of the American Planning Association (APACA) will take over Hollywood & Highland and the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel, September 21-24, 2008, with attendance expected to top 2,000 urban planning professionals from across the State. End Quote

Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA (1888PressRelease) September 17, 2008 - Lights… Planning… Action! September Conference at Renaissance Hollywood Hotel

The 2008 State Conference for the California Chapter of the American Planning Association (APACA) will take over Hollywood & Highland and the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel, September 21-24, 2008, with attendance expected to top 2,000 urban planning professionals from across the State. The Conference will be held over four-days and will focus on the walkability of America’s 2nd largest city and the Hollywood entertainment district. Keynote speakers include MTA Director Roger Snoble, eco-journalist Chris Balish, and Los Angeles City Councilmember Ed Reyes. The conference will also explore solutions to headline issues facing cities and planners: mass foreclosures, shortages of affordable housing, gridlock traffic and job creation.

“We’re excited to show planners from around the state that people really do walk in L.A.,” said Conference Co-Chair Hassan Haghani. “This is the first time the California Chapter of the APA has held its conference in Hollywood, which presents an opportunity to introduce, or reintroduce, planners to Hollywood’s remarkable renaissance.”

The four-day conference will feature over 100 sessions, 11 mobile workshops and round-the-clock “Lecture/Salon Couplets,” all designed to engage urban planners in the issues found in towns and cities throughout California. The Lecture/Salon Couplet, a new addition to this year’s conference, brings a quick-paced and innovative approach to brainstorming and discussion. The Lecture Hall will host leading academics and practitioners for short bursts of great thinking, as they present short papers in 30-minute segments.

Mobile workshops will take advantage of the diverse geography of Los Angeles with visits to oases of public space in the heart of the city, including Runyon Canyon and the recently renovated Griffith Observatory. Other mobile workshops will visit Playa Vista, Downtown LA’s new lofts and entertainment center, LA Live, and NBC Universal Studios, with a sneak peak at the Vision Plan for redevelopment of the studio’s back lot.

“There are over 6,500 urban planners practicing in the State of California. The Conference provides planners with the tools they need to address the challenges to cities across the State, including climate change, sustainability, transportation and affordable housing,” said Conference Co-Chair Susan Healy Keene.

At the Conference, the non-profit California Planning Foundation will hold a live auction on Monday, September 21st, as part of its annual fund-raiser to provide scholarships to top planning students around the state.

About the American Planning Association, California Chapter:
Celebrating their 60th Anniversary in 2008, the American Planning Association, California Chapter (APACA) aims to provide the vision and leadership that fosters better planning in California through its network of practicing planners, citizens and elected officials committed to urban, suburban, regional and rural planning. APACA offers a wide spectrum of benefits to its members including information, services, professional development, networking and support to advance planning in California. For more information, visit www.calapa.org.

Press Contact:
Joshua Williams
josh ( @ ) raa-inc dot com
(c) 323-687-6654
(t) 818-716-2779

###

Visit American Planning Association California Website

space