The American Planning Association's National Planning Conference (NPC) 2025 brought together planning professionals and clients from across the nation, providing an excellent platform for networking, learning, and exchanging innovative ideas. VHB’s Planning Team, including Christa McGaha, Jordan Powell, and Andrew Buck, actively contributed to the dialogue, advancing conversations on housing, clean energy, community engagement, and more.
Andrew moderated and participated in three panel sessions. “Expediting Development: Can Technology Disrupt Permitting and Design?” explored how advanced technology can create more efficient and transparent development pathways to address the housing crisis and promote sustainable growth. In “NET+ Solutions for Clean Energy Master Planning,” Andrew and partners from Esri highlighted how to develop scalable tools for district-level energy master planning. In addition, Andrew co-hosted a beta testing session for an official card game designed to help planners and communities evaluate the impacts of emerging technologies. This innovative game, created in collaboration with APA’s National Technology Division, is set to launch in Spring 2025.
Key conference insights included:
- Communities are Prioritizing Transportation Safety: Many workshops, demonstrations, and case studies focused on how communities are using funding and partnerships to advance safe, comfortable, and accessible mobility for all. Initiatives like the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program, alongside local partnerships, illustrated how to reduce traffic-related injuries and improve transportation infrastructure across all modes.
- Community Engagement: Successful community engagement hinges on strong communication and inclusive practices. Presentations emphasized the importance of branding, visualizations, survey design, and the critical inclusion of youth voices from the outset of local planning. Engaging diverse stakeholders and implementing effective survey strategies are essential for addressing challenges and achieving successful outcomes.
- Zoning Revisions: Outdated and contradictory zoning regulations often impede sustainable development, including affordable housing and clean energy. Panels emphasized the urgent need for revisions to these codes, which are often technically complex and can lead to public confusion and resistance to reform. A zoning “code hack” exercise was showcased as an effective tool for testing regulations, visualizing outcomes, educating stakeholders, and fostering the necessary political support for clear, inclusive, and results-driven zoning reforms, as demonstrated by successful case studies across various community types.
- Data-Informed Decision Making: Communities are increasingly harnessing technology to inform their decisions about future investments. Tools like Placer.ai, which analyzes cell phone data to understand movement patterns, help communities assess how people use public spaces. AI tools, GIS, and big data enable communities to identify funding disparities, strategically guide programming and capital investments, and optimize public resources allocation for maximum impact.
"It was inspiring to showcase how VHB is leveraging cutting-edge technology to put the power of future planning directly into the hands of communities," said Andrew. "Tools like ESRI’s City Engine and ArcGIS Urban are enabling a clearer vision for change, helping communities achieve net-zero goals with greater precision and impact. Platforms like NPC 2025 are essential for bringing the industry together to exchange ideas and advance the tools shaping our shared future."
The APA NPC conference served as a catalyst for meaningful discussions, laying the groundwork for future enhancements in planning. As a firm, VHB remains committed to integrating technology into project delivery to assist communities in addressing challenges and planning for the future.
Learn more about VHB’s Planning + Design work and Safe System Approach to safety management.
