Innovation in Planning Award

Statement about the award

Recognizes innovation in planning processes through the use of new tools or techniques, or exploration of new topics that positively contribute to the field of planning in Oregon. An innovative project recognizes a novel approach or process to tackle key planning-related issues. This is differentiated from the award specific to excellence in planning, which recognizes an outstanding application of known planning processes or community engagement techniques in creating a longer-range plan. It is differentiated from the award specific to implementation, which acknowledges the successful actualization of the vision and goals of a plan.

Qualifying projects

• Comprehensive planning work
• Development code and zoning updates
• Urban design standards or guidelines
• Housing planning and policy analysis
• Economic development planning and strategy
• Concept plans, master plans, subarea, and corridor plans
• Downtown plans
• Revitalization plans
• Historic preservation plans
• Natural resource plans
• Community or regional visioning
• Equity and social justice planning
• Transportation or transit plan
• Natural resource planning or policy analysis
• Natural Hazard planning or policy analysis
• Other projects not listed, but that otherwise meet the criteria.

Who is eligible

• Any planning jurisdiction (state, tribal governments, city, county, rural, regional, federal planning organizations)
• Transportation agencies
• Private planning, architecture, engineering, or other consulting firms.
• Community-Based Organizations

Proposed Criteria

The nominated plan or project must demonstrate how it meets the following criteria:

• Originality (35 points): Is the project original, innovative, and/or novel in exploring an issue or using tools or techniques? Did the project involve collaboration or consultation between various groups?
• Effectiveness (30 points): Does the project include measurable ways to determine the success of the plan? Has the entry addressed the need or problem that prompted its initiation? Could the results impact the way planners perform their duties? If unaddressed, does the entry guide further exploration of the topic or use of the tools or techniques?
• Community engagement process (30 points): How does the nominated plan or project engage with the community meaningfully, especially amplifying the voices of community members who participate in planning processes less frequently?
  • Scoring:
    • Did the engagement meaningfully influence the conclusions and recommendations of the plan or project?
    • How well did the process engage populations historically underrepresented in planning processes in that community?
    • Was the plan adopted by the community, if applicable?
    • Were innovative techniques used?
• Transferability (5 points): Does the entry provide an example for other jurisdictions? Does the entry provide tools or techniques that could be applied by a wide range of jurisdictions? Does the broader application of this effort’s components or methodology further planning in Oregon?

Other requirements for eligibility

• Regional projects or plans that extend beyond Oregon may be eligible but must have a substantial nexus to planning in Oregon.
• All plans must be completed, meaning the document has been finalized for formal consideration by local government (i.e., Planning Commissions, Councils or Commissioners), adopted by local government, or represent a substantial portion of the local community (especially people who are underrepresented in public processes).
• Nominees must be members of the Oregon Chapter of the American Planning Association.