Celebrate Your Community: October is National Community Planning Month.

CHICAGO -- This October, celebrate your community and the individuals who have made it what it is today.

The American Planning Association (APA) has declared October National Community Planning Month. This is an opportunity to honor the contributions of the planning profession and the individuals who make our communities desirable places to live, work and recreate.

This year's theme is Making Great Communities Through Planning, recognizing that the development of a community, its look and character, all require visionary thinking and careful planning. Each week throughout October will focus on a specific aspect of the profession, from our legacy communities that still influence the profession today to innovative concepts that will influence our communities in the future to individuals involved in the planning process.

"Planning is essential for our communities to prosper and maintain a sense of identity," said David Siegel, AICP, president of the American Planning Association. "Planning is not optionalait is essential to provide our citizens with communities that offer character, quality of life, and opportunities to satisfy their own needs and those of their children."

More than 15,000 individuals work as certified planners in varying positions in public, private and academic settings. Specialist job positions concentrate on a specific aspect of planning such as housing, transportation, or the environment. In April, Money magazine and Salary.com named "urban planner" as one of the top 50 best jobs in America.

"Professional planners must be able to balance opposing views, needs, and passions to help communities make informed choices that benefit the entire community," said Sue Schwartz, FAICP, president of the American Institute of Certified Planners, APA's professional institute.

Today's planners face new and challenging issues related to growth and change. Planning how a community will grow while maintaining its character, protecting residents from natural or man-made disasters and possible terrorist threats, promoting energy conservation, keeping pedestrians safe and reducing traffic congestion are just a few of the issues planners tackle on a daily basis.

"Planning decisions made today will influence how our communities will look and feel in the future," said Siegel. "Planners are the visionaries that help communities adjust to the changes while still satisfying resident needs."

Residents are encouraged to learn more about planning in their community and get involved in the planning process. Communities do not develop overnight, but take guidance and planning to develop character and attributes that make residents proud to call them home.

For more information about planning and National Community Planning Month, visit www.planning.org.

The American Planning Association and its professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners, are dedicated to advancing the art, science, and profession of good planningaphysical, economic and socialaso as to create communities that offer better choices for where and how people work and live. Members of APA help create communities of lasting value and encourage civic leaders, business interests, and citizens to play a meaningful role in creating communities that enrich people's lives. APA has offices in Washington, D.C., and Chicago, Illinois. For more information, visit its website at www.planning.org.