Central Section
The Central Section is one of nine subdivisions of the APA Virginia Chapter. This section is an active group of approximately 270 professional planners who either live or work in Central Virginia. Our members have careers in the public sector and in private practices. Several members are also students or professors at Virginia Commonwealth University's Urban and Regional Studies Program. Central Section has a vast array of skillsets and specializations. This diverse collection of professionals and students can take advantage of the several events and networking opportunities provided by this section. Central draws together all of these members to provide training, foster relationships and raise the stature of planning as a profession and practice in our localities.
SECTION DIRECTORS
Anne Darby, AICP
Rich Saunders, AICP
central@apavirginia.com
Section Details
The Central Section includes 25 localities, including counties, cities and towns. Central is home to the state capital, Richmond, and the tri-cities area, which includes Hopewell, Colonial Heights and Petersburg. In terms of area, it spans approximately 4,194 square miles, stretching across the piedmont and bordering with the coastal plains region of the Commonwealth, to the east. While this section is only the sixth largest section, by landmass, out of the nine established by APA Virginia, there is a significant population of 1,179,474 people who call this area home. This makes Central the third largest section by total population.
LOCALITIES IN THE CENTRAL SECTION
There are 25 local jurisdictions in the Central Section, including 12 counties, 4 cities and 9 incorporated towns, along with 5 regional governments. Those government websites are included below.
Counties
Cities
Hanover
New Kent
Charles City
Henrico
Goochland
Powhatan
Amelia
Chesterfield
Prince George
Sussex
Dinwiddie
Nottoway
Richmond
Hopewell
Colonial Heights
Petersburg
Incorporated Towns
Ashland
Burkeville
Crewe
Blackstone
McKenney
Stony Creek
Jarratt
Waverly
Wakefield
Planning District Commissions
PDC 14 – Commonwealth Regional Council
PDC 15 – Richmond Regional Planning District Commission
PDC 19 – Crater Planning District Commission
Metropolitan Planning Organizations