American Planners Recognize Country’s Great Neighborhoods and Streets

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New Program Celebrates the Best in American Communities From California to New York

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The American Planning Association (APA) today announced the country’s first 10 Great Neighborhoods and 10 Great Streets to be singled out through the new national program, “Great Places in America.” Launched last spring, Great Places in America is APA’s flagship program celebrating places of exemplary character, quality, and planning. Places are selected annually and represent the gold standard in terms of having a true sense of place, cultural and historical interest, community involvement, and a vision for tomorrow.

“We salute the dedication and contribution of the countless individuals whose efforts have not only helped bring about these wonderful streets and neighborhoods, but have made them flourish,” said APA Executive Director Paul Farmer , faicp. “We are honored to recognize their efforts to create safe and sustainable places to live, work, and visit. These Great Places are singled out because they showcase what can be achieved in communities across the country,” Farmer said.

APA’s Great Places are rich in cultural, economic, and social diversity offering better choices for where and how people work and live. Designated neighborhoods and streets are defined by several guidelines, including architectural features, sustainability, accessibility, functionality, and community involvement. Through Great Places in America, APA recognizes the unique attributes of three important components of great communities – streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces.

The designees of Great Places in America 2007 are not ranked, but listed alphabetically. They are located in 15 states and the District of Columbia. Additional details about each designee are available at http://www.planning.org/greatplaces/ . In 2008 the Great Places in America program will include a Great Public Spaces category.

2007 Great Neighborhoods in America — Chatham Village (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) — Eastern Market Neighborhood (Washington, DC) — Elmwood Village (Buffalo, New York) — The First Addition Neighborhood (Lake Oswego, Oregon) — Hillcrest (San Diego, California) — North Beach (San Francisco, California) — Old West Austin (Austin, Texas) — Park Slope (Brooklyn, New York) — Pike Place Market Neighborhood (Seattle, Washington) — West Urbana (Urbana, Illinois) — 2007 Great Streets in America — 125th Street (Harlem, New York) — Bull Street (Savannah, Georgia) — Canyon Road (Santa Fe, New Mexico) — Delmar Loop (University City and St. Louis, Missouri) — Main Street (Northampton, Massachusetts) — Monument Avenue (Richmond, Virginia) — North Michigan Avenue (Chicago, Illinois) — Ocean Drive (Miami Beach, Florida) — South Temple Street (Salt Lake City, Utah) — St. Charles Avenue (New Orleans, Louisiana)

Across the country, communities are grappling with a wide range of issues, from obesity, health, and community safety to the impact of traffic congestion and pollutants on climate change. Planners work to develop effective and innovative solutions that offer more housing and transportation choices; mixed-use and mixed-income neighborhoods; and sustainable and environmentally compatible development that enhances quality of life and builds strong and prosperous communities.

This year’s Great Places in America are being celebrated as part of APA’s National Community Planning Month, designed to recognize and celebrate the many residents, leaders, officials, and professionals who contribute to making great communities. For more about National Community Planning Month, visit http://www.planning.org/ncpm .

SOURCE American Planning Association

© 2007 PR Newswire. All Rights Reserved.

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