About Us APA Minnesota Chapter

The Minnesota Chapter of the American Planning Association is a non-profit statewide organization of over 900 planning professionals, educators, local officials and planning commissioners who are involved in planning-related activities on behalf of state and regional agencies, counties, cities, towns, educational institutions and the private sector. APA Minnesota is a chapter of the American Planning Association (APA), a non-profit public interest and research organization whose origins date back to 1917.

Learn more

See You in September! APA MN 2024 Planning Conference

Registration is now closed, we will see you soon!

The 2024 Planning Conference will be held in Bloomington, MN

Thursday, September 19- Friday, September 20

The conference will be all day on Thursday and a half day (AM) on Friday.

Conference Location: Hyatt Regency Bloomington | 3200 E 81st St, Bloomington, MN 55425

Conference Agenda

Interested in seeing the sessions? Conference Agenda

Are you eager to learn about the exciting sessions and engaging topics that will be featured at our upcoming 2024 local conference? Check out the link below to explore the full schedule and session details.

For those professionals seeking to accumulate continuing education credits, this conference provides a valuable opportunity to earn the required CM credits. And don't forget to sign up for one of the 4 exclusive mobile tours being offered - these are not to be missed!

This local conference promises to be an invaluable professional development experience filled with enriching content and unique networking possibilities. It is highly encouraged that you review the program and reserve your spot today. **No onsite registration available**

Conference Agenda

Stay Informed- APA MN - This is a BIG WIN for our chapter!

May 20, 2024

The American Planning Association Minnesota Chapter applauds the Minnesota Legislature for their actions to resolve the legal ambiguities that threatened the integrity of comprehensive planning in the Twin Cities metropolitan region and the state.

APA MN has advocated for a fix to this issue—which went far beyond a single lawsuit over a single comprehensive plan—for over a year and a half. Without resolution, cities and towns would be forced to undertake comprehensive planning efforts while under threat of a spurious environmental lawsuit.

As we argued, this threat was both novel and serious. Comprehensive planning is an opportunity for a community to develop a forward-thinking vision guided by the best research and the latest evidence. This cannot happen if those with the means to fund legal action have an implicit veto.

The legislation passed at the close of session on Sunday will protect comprehensive planning and ensure that environmental laws are used to protect the environment—not abused to punish diligent planning. This legislation also strongly affirms the work of our members and protects the credo famously articulated by Daniel Burnham to "make no little plans, [for] they have no magic to stir men’s blood."

APA MN thanks all of the legislators and advocates who understood the principle behind this legislation, pushed for action, and brought it to fruition. In the past seven days, lawmakers and judges have both understood the need to align statute with the reality of planning practice, and we are hopeful that the difficulties caused by this misalignment are finally settled in Minnesota.

PeggySue Imihy Bean, AICP

APA MN, President

Click here for more on the court decision