Wes McRae | October 10, 2023 – Atlanta, GA

Bruce Stiftel, Professor Emeritus in the School of City and Regional Planning, has been elected Director-at-Large for the American Planning Association's (APA) Board of Directors.

"I’m glad for the opportunity to help shape APA’s vital work helping planners guide communities into the future," Stiftel said. "To the degree I can, I hope to help bring planning education and practice closer together, to see APA better respond to life-long career needs of planners, and to expand APA's international engagement."

The APA is the national professional organization for urban planners, hosting the annual National Planners Conference, publishing the Journal of the American Planning Association, and advocating for quality planning in Washington and the states.  APA also houses the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), which is the only nationwide, independent verification of planners' qualifications. Stiftel is a Fellow of the AICP, which is the highest honor the AICP bestows upon a member.

"Our urban planning profession stands amidst a frenzy of change," Stiftel said. "Yesterday's lessons seem inadequate to tomorrow's challenges. The American Planning Association's real promise is helping planners to understand how to navigate that gap, while cajoling the world around us to create resources that make effective planning possible."

"APA’s vision is critical to advancing our cities in an era of economic hyper-competition, immigration, artificial intelligence and climate change."

Stiftel has already served as the education chair of the APA's National Planning Conference Committee. He was founding chair of Georgia Tech’s School of City and Regional Planning.

The newly-elected board members will start their term of leadership January 1, 2024.