About SPA

Participation with the Student Planning Association (SPA) is open to all students interested in the planning profession. All Urban and Regional Planning students are highly encouraged to be involved with the SPA to motivate group learning, to gain networking opportunities, to learn from professionals in the field and become involved in current trends in Florida.

Many SPA members take advantage of joining the San Felasco Section of the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association, which is the local section of the American Planning Association.  Through the San Felasco Section, students are able to meet with and learn from professional planners in the local area by attending lectures, meetings, and socials.  

Through SPA, students are assisted with funds to attend such conferences and take trips to learn about planning and design in other cities.  SPA members volunteer to help plan and assist at the Florida Chapter of the APA Annual State Conference.  The association also helps organize attendance for the APA Annual National Conference.   The association welcomes new travel proposals and embraces new connections. In addition to collaborating with local organizations to organize events, SPA works to engage with individuals about all things planning related within the College of Design, Construction, and Planning.

Other functions of SPA include; a mentoring program within URP that provides newer students in the program with a place to ask for advice and make connections, and a newsletter for the URP students featuring planning articles, highlighting professor achievements, informing students about upcoming events.  SPA also helps to coordinate the Department’s end of the year banquet and recognizes an Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year, through a vote by the students.