American Planning Association (APA) is an advocacy and research group for urban, housing, and regional planners in the United States. Supporters can become members of the organization and receive certification for their professional planning practices.¹

As a political advocacy group, the APA states that the planning process “exists to serve the public interest” and is meant to execute “policies and actions that best serve the entire community,” often running against “large private interests at stake.” APA supports Diversity Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies and claims to advocate for “all forms.” It releases blogs and other online publications on using DEI towards urban planning initiatives while advancing the left-of-center concept of equity in both non-traditional energy infrastructure and housing.^{2 3}

Background

American Planning Association was created through the merger of the American Institute of Planners and the American Society of Planning Officials in 1978. It was created as educational and charitable resource, with an internal institute for professionals (the American Institute for Certified Planners, or AICP) to introduce a national certification process for professional land-use planners.¹

Activities

American Planning Association’s activities are divided into three main areas: educational resources, certification and accreditation, and policy and outreach.⁴

APA publishes educational materials including a monthly magazine, a journal called the Journal of the American Planning Association, and a periodical called Zoning Practice. APA’s Planning Advisory Service (PAS) releases a quarterly report on issues facing housing planners and “innovative practices” to guide housing advocates.⁵

APA claims that it has engaged in independent research practices “since 1949.” These practices involve the APA taking university research and translating it into best practice recommendations for private and public sector urban and regional planners.  It also focuses on how “good governance” relates to good planning.⁶

APA runs an initiative called the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), which hosts a Certification Maintenance program that trains members in skills needed to become up-do-date in housing and building planning and provides them with certification upon completion of the training sessions. Its Community Planning Assistance Teams pair with community leaders to help them strategize their projects.⁵

Together with the National League of Cities (NLC), APA runs the Housing Supply Accelerator, a national campaign to improve the efficiency of local planning organizations and to aid in the passage of legal and political reforms at the government level concerning the housing industry. The campaign employees local governors, community planners, construction leaders, banks, housing policy associations, realtors, and federal partners. Topics discussed by the campaign include land development, housing finance, land use, regulations, infrastructure needs, and workforce needs.⁷

As a political advocacy group, the APA states the planning process “exists to serve the public interest” and is meant to execute “policies and actions that best serve the entire community,” often running against “large private interests at stake.”²

APA supports DEI principles “all forms” while publishing online blogs and articles on using DEI towards urban planning as well as advancing the left-of-center concept of equity in both non-traditional energy infrastructure and housing.³

Chapters, Divisions, and Affiliates

As of 2025, American Planning Association had 48 local chapters, covering most states as well as major regions. The local chapters offer members the ability to network, obtain scholarships, continue their education in building development, and attend workshop and public information campaigns.⁸

As of 2025, APA had 25 divisions covering both specialty areas within the housing planning industry as well as demographic interest groups. Some of its divisions included the “Environmental, Natural Resources and Energy Division,” “Latinos Planning Division,” “LGBT and Planning Division,” “New Urbanism Division,” “Planning and the Black Community Division,” “Tribal and Indigenous Planning Division,” and “Women and Planning Division.”⁹

There are organizations that operate under the APA trade name but exist as independent entities with entirely different boards and leadership structures. These organizations focus on one area and mobilize resources and local leaders to push housing policy changes and train land-use planners.¹⁰

Financials

In 2022, American Planning Association reported total revenue of $18,555,514, total expenses of $17,818,561, and net assets of $16,223,298.¹¹

In 2022, American Planning Association disbursed $175,000 to the Planning Accreditation Board, $10,000 to Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning, and $45,000 to Up for Growth for a pro-housing webinar series.¹²

Leadership

Joel Albizo Is the co-CEO of the American Planning Association (APA) as of 2025. In 2022, then-CEO Joel D. Albizo received $467,201 in total compensation.^{13 14 3}

1. “About APA.” American Planning Association. Accessed August 11, 2025. https://www.planning.org/aboutapa/.
2. “Ethical Principles in Planning.” American Planning Association. Accessed August 11, 2025. https://www.planning.org/ethics/ethicalprinciples/.
3. “Equity Diversity Inclusion.” American Planning Association. Accessed August 11, 2025. https://www.planning.org/equity/.
4. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). American Planning Association. 2022. Part III – Statement of Program Service Accomplishments.
5. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). American Planning Association. 2022. Part III – Statement of Program Service Accomplishments. 4a.
6. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). American Planning Association. 2022. Part III – Statement of Program Service Accomplishments. 4c.
7. “Housing Supply Accelerator.” American Planning Association. Accessed August 11, 2025. https://planning.org/housing-supply-accelerator/.
8. “APA Chapters.” American Planning Association. Accessed August 11, 2025. https://www.planning.org/chapters/.
9. “Divisions.” American Planning Association. Accessed August 11, 2025.
10. “Board of Directors.” NorCal APA. Accessed August 11, 2025. https://norcalapa.org/about/board-of-directors/.
11. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). American Planning Association. 2022. Part I, lines 12, 18, 22.
12. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). American Planning Association. 2022. Schedule I. Part II – Grants and Other Assistance to Domestic Organizations and Domestic Governments.
13. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). American Planning Association. 2022. Part VII – Section A. Officers, Directors, Trustees, Key Employees, and Highest Compensated Employees.
14. “APA Senior Staff.” American Planning Association. Accessed August 11, 2025. https://www.planning.org/leadership/staff/biographies/.