Outstanding Comprehensive Plan

This award honors comprehensive plans representing significant advancement of long-range planning in the state. Plans may be made by a planning agency, team, firm, community group, or local authority.

Eligibility:

Open to APA members and non-members. The award is given for group achievement and may be made to a planning agency, planning team or firm, community group, or local authority. There are no limits on the size of jurisdiction. Nominated plan should have been completed in the last three (3) years before the nomination deadline.

Criteria:

• Originality and innovation — Document how your entry presents a visionary approach or innovative concept to address needs. Explain how the use of the planning process in this context broadened accepted planning principles within the context of the situation.
• Quality — Explain how your plan is state-of-the-art in terms of presentation and methodology. Identify what makes this plan exceptional or stand out compared to other comprehensive plans.
• Engagement — Explain how various stakeholder interests were involved and the extent of that involvement. Competitive entries demonstrate a strong effort to solicit input from those who historically have been left out of the planning process. Show how the nominated plan obtained public and private support.
• Implementation and Effectiveness — Address what steps have been taken to build momentum and public support for following and implementing the plan. State how your entry addressed the need or problem that prompted its initiation. Be explicit about how the results have made a difference in the lives of the people affected. Convey the level of effectiveness your entry can have over time. State the positive or unintended outcomes.
• Promotion of Planning — Clarify the role, significance and participation of planners. Demonstrate the connection between the effort's success and increased awareness in the community of planners and planning.