UF Urban and Regional Planning Attends 2025 Florida APA Conference

A diverse group of people pose together on a staircase indoors, smiling and extending one arm outward, with conference name badges visible on many attendees.

In September, faculty and students from the University of Florida’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning traveled to Daytona Beach to attend the 2025 Florida APA Conference. This annual conference brings together planners from across the state to share research and innovations in the planning field and network with both planning educators and professionals.

Check out some highlights below.

Three smiling people sit at a University of Florida Department of Urban and Regional Planning booth, posing with outstretched arms. The table displays branded items and brochures, with informational banners in the background.

Four people smile behind a table with University of Florida Department of Urban and Regional Planning materials, banners, and promotional items at an event booth.

Our booth at the conference provided an overview of our programs and gave visitors a chance to connect with some of our MURP students and faculty.

A person stands at a podium speaking in a conference room. A projection screen displays a presentation titled “The Applications of Form-Based Codes as a Vehicle for Climate Resilient Florida Cities” by Lucas Henley.

MURP student Lucas Beasley presented his research project “The Applications of Form-Based Codes as a Vehicle for Climate Resilient Florida Cities” as part of the conference’s student presentation competition.

A woman stands smiling next to a research poster about urban planning and African American life outcomes, displayed on a board at a conference. The setting is bright with large windows and a patterned carpet.

MURP student Eishamma Saint-Lot presented her research project “The Impact of Discriminatory Practices in Urban Planning on the Life Outcomes of African Americans”.

A smiling man in business attire stands next to a scientific poster titled Planning Resilient Futures for Florida’s Heritage Sites at a conference. The poster features text, maps, charts, photos, and a QR code.

MURP alum and current M.I.S.D. student Oluwasegun James won second place for his research project “Planning Resilient Futures for Florida’s Heritage Sites: A Low-Carbon Ecotourism Model of Dry Tortugas National Park”

A large group of people pose indoors, forming an arch with their outstretched arms and smiling at the camera under warm ceiling lights. The setting appears to be a modern, stylish conference or meeting space.

Five people stand smiling around a tall cocktail table with drinks at a social event, while others mingle in the background in a brightly lit room.

Five people smiling and standing around a high table with food and drinks at an outdoor evening event, wearing conference badges and lanyards with others mingling in the background.

Three smiling women pose together outside a building at night, wearing name badges. One woman makes a peace sign. They stand on a patio with chairs and a window behind them, warmly lit by indoor and outdoor lights.

Our URP reception was a chance for faculty, students, alumni and friends to mix, mingle, and connect.

Check out some more photos from the conference below.