4th Monday of every month, noon to 1pm

Monday, October 25, 12pm-1pm

Using Food as Economic Development

From the Food Network to Lanesboro Local, interest in local foods is burgeoning. Nearly every publication - from small town papers, to the New York Times, to the American Journal of Agricultural Economics - is covering this re-localization of the food system. While much of the infrastructure related to local foods has been dismantled in favor of the efficiencies of consolidation, there is renewed interest in place-based foods and local products. With this slow but increasing favoring of the local (not only in foods, but other goods and services) the local movement can have a “rising tide” effect on towns and regions alike. Thus, community leaders are recognizing the potential for "local food" as a vibrant economic driver.

This webinar provides an in-depth look at how local food, and local food systems, can help drive economic development. Participants will learn about the market environment (e.g. demand for local foods as well as market influences and challenges), business considerations (e.g. production, distribution, and infrastructure), and recommendations as to how planners and policymakers can promote economic development by supporting local food initiatives.

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Monday, November 15, 12-1pm (one week early due to Thanksgiving holiday)

Cycling for Sustainable Cities

Cycling is a sustainable means of urban travel. It has the potential to serve many short- and medium-distance trips—for commuting to and from work and school, shopping, and visiting friends—as well as providing recreation and exercise. Cycling promotes physical, social, and mental health, helps reduce car use, enhances mobility and independence, and is economical for both public and personal budgets. This presentation explores how to make city cycling safe, practical, and convenient for a broad spectrum of ages, genders, and abilities. Buehler and Pucher discuss the latest cycling trends and policies around the world and consider specific aspects of cycling. Based on data from 2019-2020 from cities around the world, they also review the impacts of COVID-19 on cycling levels and government policies to promote cycling. Taken together, the presentation demonstrates that successful promotion of cycling depends on a coordinated package of mutually supportive infrastructure, programs, and policies. Cycling should be made feasible for as many people as possible and not limited to especially fit, daring, well-trained cyclists riding expensive bicycles. The talk is based on their recent co-edited book Cycling for Sustainable Cities (MIT Press).

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Monday, Dec 13, 12-1pm (one week early)

Making sense of the trends and traps in Virginia’s 2020 Census data

This presentation will examine key demographic trends for Virginia planners that are observable in 2020 Decennial Census and recent Census products. The impact of the pandemic as well as the Census Bureau’s new respondent privacy algorithm on the accuracy of Census data will also be examined. 

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Have you missed a past webinar and want to watch it?  Visit our YouTube page! All recorded webinars are eligible for CM credits

Interested in presenting? Email us! info@apavirginia.com

Additional CM Credit Opportunities

APA VA wants to hear from you! As in every community we plan, there are stories to its citizens. As a community of planners, we would like to highlight some of our amazing planners across the Commonwealth. If you or someone you know has a great planning story to tell, please reach out to Robert Narvaez, AICP, Director of Inclusion or anyone on the APA VA Board. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Download APA Virginia's Preliminary Legislative Report to read a list of key bills passed during the 2021 General Assembly session.

The following report lists key bills passed by the 2021 General Assembly. The current status of the bill is shown after the bill summary. If the status says “Approved by the Governor” then the bill has completed the process and generally takes effect on July 1, 2020. If the status says “Governor's Action Deadline, March 31, 2021” then the bill has been sent to the Governor for his action (approval, veto or suggestion of amendment). The Reconvened session, to consider Governor’s amendments and vetos, will be on Wednesday, April 7. Joint Resolutions do not go to the Governor and are approved once signed by Speaker of the House and President of the Senate.

*You will be directed to a new page*

Planners continue to play an essential role in community response to the pandemic. From holding online public meetings, to positioning your community for economic recovery, to using data analysis to ensure the recovery is equitable, you need information to help you serve your community. Visit our COVID-19 resources collection, organized by topics that are foremost in your mind.

Below is a link to the Department of Labor's COVID-19 resources and guides.

Click here for APA National's resources