2016Project Awards Program

American Planning Association, Florida Chapter

APA Florida is pleased to announce the opening of its 2016 Project Awards Program application cycle. This program provides APA Florida the opportunity to recognize outstanding planning projects in the State of Floridaat its annual conference. The program provides APA Florida members with the chance to see and learn about development, conservation, government, or environmental projects, where planning has had a positive impact on the outcome. The Project Awards Committee will be looking for innovativeness and quality, and the potential for use in other areas.

Awards of Excellence and Merit

Eligible planning projects are those completed within the last two years in Florida. An awards application should be in electronic format on a CDand include a copy ofthe planning document and a completed application form. The APA Florida Chapter Office must receive an award application by Monday, April 25, 2016. (Student Project Award applications are due by May 9.) Incomplete applications or those not received in the APA Florida Chapter office by the deadlinewill not be considered. Space permitting, award recipients may have the opportunity to display their projects at the APA Florida Annual Conference in Tampa, September6-9, 2016. The award recipients will be notified by early July of their selection. Those selected for an Award of Excellence will be requested to provide a short video for the awards ceremony. The Awards of Excellence and Awards of Merit will be presented to the recipients at the opening morning session, Wednesday,September 7, 2016.

Nominations will be evaluated for the award category in which they are submitted. However, the Awards Committee may upon majority vote, move a nomination to a different category, if appropriate. Generally, only one Award of Excellence and one Award of Merit are granted per category each year. If the Awards Committee finds that none of the nominations in a particular category meets the desirable standards, they may opt not to grant an award in that category for that year. The jurors make the distinction between Awards of Excellence and Awards of Merit based on several factors including scoring, innovation, superior quality, transferability, and other factors.

Projects must fall under one of the following sixcategories:

  1. Planning Project Awardfor a specific physical planning project of unusually high merit that is in the process of being constructed or has been constructed within the last two years. The project should demonstrate “on-the-ground” results that are supported by documentable physical or social change.

Examples include streetscape plans; public space plans; hospital, college or other campus plan.

  1. Comprehensive Plan Awardfor a comprehensive plan, or individual element, of unusually high merit completed and adopted by the public agency within the last two years for, by, or within a jurisdiction with the most recent BEBR official population estimate of 50,000 or more (Large Jurisdiction) or of less than 50,000 (Small Jurisdiction).
  1. Best Practices Awardfor a specific planning tool, practice, program, project, or process that is a significant advancement to specific elements of planning. This category emphasizes results and demonstrates how innovative and state-of-the-art planning methods and practices helped to implement a plan. Nominations may include such things as ordinances, regulations, legislation, adopted policy and codes, tax policies or initiatives, growth management or design guidelines, transferable development rights program, land acquisition efforts, public/private partnerships, applications of technology, handbooks, or efforts to foster greater participation in community planning.

Examples include regulations and codes, tax policies or initiatives, growth management or design guidelines, transferable development rights programs, land acquisition efforts, public-private partnerships, applications of technology, handbooks, or efforts that foster greater participation in community planning.

  1. Grassroots Initiative Awardfor an initiative that illustrates how a community utilized the planning process to address a need that extends beyond the traditional scope of planning. Emphasis is placed on the success of planning in new or different settings. Nominated projects should expand public understanding of the planning process. This could include such efforts as community policing or drug prevention, neighborhood outreach initiatives, programs designed for special populations, public art or cultural efforts, community festivals, environmental or conservation initiatives, summer recreational initiatives for children, or focused tourism ventures.
  1. Neighborhood Planning Awardfor a neighborhood plan, program, design, or related effort that demonstrates innovative planning principles and measures that creates sustainable neighborhoods that have lasting value.
  1. Outstanding Student Project Awardto recognize outstanding class projects or papers by a student or group of students in accredited planning programs in Florida that contribute to advances in the field of planning. While it is appropriate to submit a project or paper on which a faculty member(s) has given guidance, the submission should be primarily the work of the students.

  1. General Submission Information

A Complete Award Package, submitted in electronic format on aCD to the APA Florida Chapter Office, must include the Following Documents:

  1. The planning document or project.
  1. Completed Annual Project Awards Application including:
  1. A brief description of the project, including the setting, time frame, significance to the planning field, innovations in theory, methodology and/or practice and other unique aspects to the application. (Max. 500 words)
  2. A project summary to be used for the award handout at the annual conference. (Max. 100 words)
  1. A brief discussion demonstrating how the project meets the following criteria (Max. 200 words each criterion):

Originality and Innovation – How does the entry present a visionary approach or innovative concept to address needs? How does the use of the planning process in this context broadened accepted planning principles within the context of the situation?

Quality – How does the project represent excellence of thought, analysis, writing, and graphics, regardless of budgetary limitations? How were available resources used in a thoughtful and ethicalprocess?

Transferability – How does the project have potential application for others and how does use of theentry’s components and methodology would further the cause of good planning?

Comprehensiveness – How have planning principles been observed, especially in consideration of the entry’s effects on other public objectives?

Implementation –(This is not a criterion for the Outstanding Student Project Award) What steps were taken to build momentum and public support for following and implementing the project?

Engagement - How were various public interests involved and what was the extent of that involvement? How does the project demonstrate a strong effort to solicit input from those whohistorically have been left out of the planning process? How were those affected brought into theplanning process? How did the project obtain public and private support?

Role of Planners – What was the role, significance and participation of planners? Was there a connection between the effort’s success and increased awareness in the community ofplanners and planning?

Effectiveness – How did the project address the need or problem that prompted its initiation? Howhave the results made a difference in the lives of people affected? What level of effectiveness hasthe project had over time?

Education - (This is a criterion for only the Grassroots Initiative Award) How has the project encouraged community leaders to revise their opinions about the varied uses and broad applicationsof the planning process? What influence has the project had on publicawareness beyond those immediately affected? What connection is there between the effort's success and increasedawareness in the community of planners and planning?

  1. Five (5) digital graphics or images (jpg format, color, 300 dpi minimum) which are copyright-free that illustrate the planning area or project that is being submitted. Submit only graphics or images that are not copyrighted and which may be reproduced by APA Florida without a fee, charge, or copyright infringement.

Images should provide context and show the award nomination’s positive or intended results.

  • Images should supplement what exists in the written summary and criteria sections.
  • Each image is limited to a maximum 1 megabyte (1 MB).
  • Each image must include a photo caption. Captions must be no more than 25 words each.
  • Photo collages, videos or PowerPoint presentations are not acceptable.
  1. Up to five (5) one-page Letters of Support or Testimonials are encouraged, but not required in support of the application. Letter(s) should offer support for the value of the nominated effort. Letters may not be written by the nominator of the submission or by the nominated project author, client or group.
  1. Name, address, daytime telephone, and email numbers of the person(s) to contact regarding the application, project author(s), and project client.
  1. Application fee: $50 for APA Florida member/$75 Non-member, payable to APA Florida and mailed to the Florida Chapter at 2017 Delta Boulevard, Suite 201, Tallahassee, FL 32303. Please notate the project name on the check.

A complete award packagemust be received by the APA Florida Chapter Office at the above address no later than 5:00 p.m.,Monday, April25, 2016(no exceptions).(Student Project Award applications are due by 5:00 p.m., May 9, 2016.) Please direct any questions about the awards program toAlex Magee at 850-201-3272 or .

American Planning Association

Florida Chapter

Annual Project Awards Application

It is imperative that all of the following information be provided in full. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Submit only one (1) project for one (1) award category per application. Please direct any questions about the awards program to Alex Magee at 850-201-3272 or

Mail complete award application entries including electronic versions of all materials and a check for the application fee payable to APA Florida Chapter. Please assure that the project name is on the check. Entries must be received by the Chapter Office, 2017 Delta Boulevard, Suite 201, Tallahassee, Florida 32303 by5:00 PM, Monday, April 25, 2016 – no exceptions. (Student Project Award applications are due by 5:00 p.m., Monday, May 9, 2016.) Materials received after this date will not be accepted and will not be returned.

Applicant Information

The Applicant will be considered the primary contact to the Chapter for all decisions made on this application and will work with APA Florida staff to obtain additional information and materials.

Name / Jeremy Crute
Organization / Florida State University
Title / Senior Planner
Address / 330 Bellamy Building
113 Collegiate Loop
P.O. Box 3062280
City, State. Zip / Tallahassee, FL. 32306-2280
Phone / E-mail / 850-644-8516 /

I certify that the submitted work was done by the parties credited in this Awards Application Form, and that the work meets the appropriate nomination submittal requirements listed herein.

Applicant’s Signature ______

Project Information

Project Name / Envisioning Florida’s Future: Transportation and Land Use in an Automated Vehicle World
Author(s) / Faculty Advisors: Tim Chapin, Lindsay Stevens,& Jeremy Crute
Students: V. Christiansen, John Cowart, Jordan Crandall, William Crowley, Scott Dogali, Diana Elsner, Maverick Fitzgeral, Julian Marcos, Stephano Miranda, Joshua Pelfrey, Yes Segura, Leslie Stout, & Alexandria Washington
Award Category / Planning Project Award
(circle one) / Comprehensive Plan Award (Large Jurisdiction) / Neighborhood Planning Award
Comprehensive Plan Award (Small Jurisdiction) / Best Practices Award
Grassroots Initiative Award / Outstanding Student Project Award
An electronic copy of the planning document or project must accompany this application.

Brief Description

Describe the setting, time frame, significance to the planning field, innovations in theory, methodology and/or practice and other unique aspects to the application. (Max. 500 words)

Automated vehicle (AV) technology promises to reshape the transportation system and the built environment in ways not seen since the introduction of the automobile over a century ago. By revolutionizing the nature of personal mobility and removing the need for passengers to be in the car at all times, AVs have the potential to dramatically impact roadway design and the built environment to yield urban spaces that are safer, more efficient, and more attractive. Recognizing the importance of this opportunity, Florida’s Department of Transportation (FDOT) contracted a team of students and faculty from Florida State University to envision the future of Florida in an AV world. As part of this year-long research effort, a team of thirteen masters students designed and facilitated an engaging collaborative visioning session at the 2015 Florida Automated Vehicle Summit to provide a platform for public and private leaders in AV technology to brainstorm about the impact of AVs on the form and function of our cities. Planners, engineers, public officials, and AV-industry professionals participated in 13 small-table discussions tasked with thinking about how specific aspects of the built environment might need to adaptto accommodate AVs.
These discussions centered upon the impacts of AVs on four urban settings that are vital to Florida’s economic health and quality of life: a Downtown, aMedical/University Complex, a Transit-Oriented Development, and an Urban Arterial. Participants were engaged in an “Urban Immersion Experience”that asked participants to imagine a typical trip through their urban setting using four different modes of transportation. Through this immersive discussion participants considered the impact of AV technology on: rights of way, intersections, access management, parking, signage and signalization, bicycle and pedestrian mobility, and redevelopment opportunities.
Key themes from these discussions included that AVs will require narrower rights-of-way and travel lanes; influence the location, form, and demand parking; impact the mobility of bicyclists and pedestrians; declutter urban environments through reduced signalization and signage; and provide opportunities for redevelopment on now unnecessary parking lots and excess right-of-way.The students then compiled these findings into an interim report delivered to FDOT outlining the results of the visioning sessions and discussing the primary ways that AVs would affect specific aspects of the built environment (seeInterim Report). Drawing exclusively from the excellent work conducted by the team of graduate students, a group of faculty advisors and student research assistants then produced a final report that provided a graphic representation of vision for the future of Florida’s cities developed by the students (seeFinal Report).
This study affirms that AVs are expected to drastically affect the design and functioning of the built environment and provides a starting point for public and private stakeholders to prepare for these impacts. While further research will be necessary, this study provides preliminary guidance for the policy decisions and infrastructure investments necessary to leverage AV technology to create a transportation system that is safer and more efficient than ever before and an urban environment built upon principles of sustainability and human-centered design.

Project Summary

To be used for the award handout at the annual conference. (Max. 100 words)

Automated Vehicles (AV) are poised to transform our cities to a level not seen since the adoption of the automobile roughly a century ago. Utilizing an innovative and collaborative visioning process, a team of faculty and students from Florida State University’s Department of Urban & Regional Planning developed a vision for the future of Florida’s communities in an AV world. This vision hopes to guide Florida’s transition to an AV world byidentifying policy decisions and infrastructure investments necessary to leverage AV technology to create a transportation system that is safer and more efficient than ever before and an urban environment built upon principles of sustainability and human-centered design.

Originality and Innovation

How does the entry present a visionary approach or innovative concept to address needs? How does the use of the planning process in this context broaden accepted planning principles within the context of the situation? (Max. 200 words)

AVs are one of the hottest topics in planning today. However, much of the discussion about AVs revolves around the technology itself – how it works and how it could improve the safety and efficiency of the transportation system – instead of how AVs will impact our cities. At the time of this study, no one had undertaken a comprehensive exploration of how AV technology could transform the built environment. Planners have witnessed over and over again how changes to the transportation system have monumental implications on the form and function of our urban spaces.However, during the emergence of the automobile in the post-war era, planners failed to foresee the debilitating effects of auto-oriented urban sprawl. AV technology represents the next great transformation to the transportation system and the built environment. It is imperative for planners to begin to critically consider how broadly accepted planning principles can be applied to the capabilities of AVs and to identify how to leverage the technology to create attractive, people-friendly, efficient and safe urban environments. By casting a vision for an AV world, this project marks first the attempt to ensure we do not repeat the mistakes made during the rise of the automobile.

Quality

How does the project represent excellence of thought, analysis, writing, and graphics, regardless of budgetary limitations? How were available resources used in a thoughtful and ethical process? (Max. 200 words)

The quality of the Envisioning Florida’s Future project is best represented by its excellence in community engagement design and the quality and professionalism of the maps, graphics, and renderings developed and utilized throughout the planning process. The students developed a completely original tabletop discussion that successfully guided participants through a lively discussion about the primary ways AVs are expected to impact the built environment. To do this, the students developed a creative and innovative visioning session design that resembled a board-game to engaging participantsby putting them in the shoes of four different actors in an AV world, each using a different mode of transportation. Throughout the design process the students tested and retested every detail of the session materials to ensure they were facilitating the most productive and engaging conversation possible. In addition to the student’s outstanding application of best practices in public participation, the Project represents a high level of quality and professionalism in the materials designed to facilitate the visioning session. The student team utilized the latest in GIS and publishing software to develop original aerial maps complete with designated routes for participant “travelers,” prompt cards to guide the discussion, and session brochures to reinforce rules and assumptions bounding the conversion.

Transferability