UF Urban and Regional Planning Takes On the 2024 Florida APA Conference

Four people stand and smile in front of a screen displaying a presentation titled Design Thinking for Planners at the APA Florida 2024 Conference in a conference room.

The UF Department of Urban and Regional Planning recently attended the 2024 Florida APA Conference in Tampa, where students and faculty hosted presentations on the department’s latest research and initiatives.

“Why Planning?”

There’s more to urban planning than just maps and grids. To showcase this, the interactive “Why Planning” exhibit invited attendees to share what they believe urban planning is really all about. From the importance of implementing sustainable practices to the need for inclusive communities, those in attendance shared their vision for the future of the field.

Four people stand and talk around a blue-covered table with promotional items, pens, and snacks at an indoor event or expo. Two women stand behind the table, and two people stand in front holding drinks and folders.

Attendees were able to pick up some URP merch and speak with current faculty and students about the department’s educational initiatives and programs at our exhibition table.

URP faculty presented “Finding Your Place in Planning” to showcase the various challenges and opportunities professionals will face throughout their careers in the field.

From dealing with imposter syndrome to breaking free from career restraints, these discussions encouraged attendees to be proactive in shaping their career path in order to find their niche and keep them on the path to success.

Four speakers stand in front of a projection screen that reads Finding Your Place in Planning and lists the American Planning Association Florida Chapter.

Student Research

A man in a suit presents a scientific poster to three attendees in a conference room. All four people are engaged in discussion, facing the poster displayed on a black partition wall.

UF MURP student and research assistant Silas Achidago presents his research at the 2024 Florida APA Conference. This particular research focused on identifying human-wildlife conflicts through a case study in Botswana.

UF MURP student Emory Young presents his research on sustainable waste management.

Young traveled to the Dominican Republic this past summer to conduct his research at the Grupo Puntacana Fundación in Puntacana Resort and Club. Through interviews, surveys, and analysis of existing waste management data, Young was able to identify ways to make waste management at the resort more sustainable and efficient.

Learn more about Young’s research in the Dominican Republic here.

A person stands at a podium presenting in a conference room. On the screen is a slide titled Methodology with sections for Surveys, Interviews, Observations, and Analysis, accompanied by images and text.

Awards and Recognition

Two people stand smiling in front of APA FL banners; the person on the right holds an award. Both are dressed in business attire, with a brick wall and cityscape banners in the background.

UF MURP student and research assistant Silas Achidago is presented with the “2024 Student Planner of the Year” APA Florida Chapter Planning and Leadership award.

“This recognition is not just a celebration of my efforts, but a testament to the collective support of my professors, peers, and community who have guided me along the way,” said Achidago.

UF Speaker Sessions

Four people sit at a table on a stage in a conference room, with a projector screen displaying a slide titled Tools for Charting Resilient Futures during a panel discussion.

The conference also included speaker sessions and panelist discussions from UF Faculty where they shared more information on the department’s goals and initiatives.

These sessions included information on developing sustainable frameworks in the field of urban planning, as well as discussions centered around active planning projects such as improving downtown Newberry.

A conference room with panelists seated at a table on stage. Attendees sit facing the stage. A screen displays Panelist Questions with discussion points. The atmosphere is professional and attentive.

“APA Florida greatly appreciates the strong partnership with the University of Florida Department of Urban and Regional Planning, who was an annual sponsor this year at the Ruby Level,” said Whit Blanton, FAICP and APA Florida Chapter President.

“Their faculty were heavily involved in the planning of FPC24, and assisted with student poster sessions and the student multi-media session.”

UF URP Reception

After an action-packed conference, students, faculty and alumni from the UF Department of Urban and Regional Planning mixed and mingled with conference attendees and enjoyed a relaxing evening by the bay.

A crowd of people socialize at an indoor event, holding drinks and conversing. Large screens with colorful charts are visible in the background above a bar area. Warm lighting creates a lively atmosphere.

“The Florida Planning Conference is always a great opportunity to bring together our URP community, including students and alumni, faculty and staff, adjuncts and affiliates,” said Assistant Professor Kyle Dost.

“We can all be in one place at the same time to connect, network, share planning projects, and highlight the University of Florida’s outstanding work in the planning field. On a personal level, it’s wonderful to present alongside former classmates and colleagues, and to see the progress that former students have made in their professional lives.”