APA SCD E-Bulletin - 04/14/2021
Sustainable Communities Division News
APA SCD has a new Storymap on the APA Climate Champions Home Page! The Champions are tasked with extending SCD’s outreach and message on climate action by engaging their respective states and fostering regional dialogue and collaboration. The Climate Champions are also tasked with engaging directly with their state APA chapters to foster increased collaboration between the national APA and the state chapters. The Climate Champions will be an integral part of a national sustainability network.
Let's meet our goal to have a Climate Champion in every state! We invite you to apply and meet the current Champions to get connected to the network.
E-Bulletin Update
See our NEW E-Bulletin section below "From Our SCD Climate Champions" for shared resources and upcoming climate related news and events!
Take the Lead and Be An APA SCD Sponsor for 2021
APA SCD is accepting sponsors for 2021. Learn about the benefits and apply to be a sponsor for 2021 at https://www.apascd.com/sponsors.
APA News
NPC21 is Almost Here! Plan to Attend the 2021 National Planning Conference Live on May 5-7
Gain practical insights, plus connect with a network of people facing similar challenges and implementing innovative solutions across the nation. There are two levels this year: NPC21 Live and NPC21 Live Plus. NPC21 Live provides access to the live sessions, networking, exhibit hall, and other live activities. NPC21 Live Plus includes additional professional development perks through June 30 such as: All NPC21 recorded content, Unlimited access to all APA Learn courses, Two live webinars. Register online.
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Sustainability Tools, News, and Resources
Immigrant Gateways: Chinatowns
Learning objectives for this course include: Understanding the role and challenges of Chinatowns and immigrant communities in city revitalization; Understanding the importance of expanding the concept of Chinatowns and immigrant communities beyond tourist destinations; and collecting tools for encouraging socioeconomic diversity in revitalizing cities.
Diversity and Inclusion Training Series
Diversity encompasses, but is not limited to, ethnicity, class, gender, age, sexual orientation, ability, educational attainment, spiritual beliefs, creed, culture, tribal affiliation, nationality, immigration status, political beliefs, and veteran status. With greater diversity, we can be more creative, effective, and just, and bring more varied perspectives, experiences, backgrounds, talents, and interests to the practice of planning and the communities we serve. Join Daniel Lim and Giovania Tiarachristie as they explore how inequity, exclusion, and lack of diversity are socially created. This three-part series explores specific concepts and skills that planners can use to promote diversity, inclusion, and equity in planning contexts.
Articles and Resources
Infrastructure
Transportation
Diversity
Equity
From LinkedIn
Our LinkedIn group has over 7K members and continues to grow every week!
Check out these recent posts from group members:
From Our SCD Climate Champions
The Alaska Tribal Resilience Learning Network recently organized through the University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center. The new learning network is almost exclusively focused on the Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Resilience Program (BIA TRP). Since the BIA TRP inception in 2011, over $20 million dollars of program funding has been awarded to dozens of federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations in Alaska. The learning network is helping bring together all of the awardees and other interested tribal officials eligible to apply on behalf of their tribal governments/organizations. The mainstay of the network is a monthly check-in call with presentations provided by past awardees as example best practices. Learn more here!*
Visit the SCD website and the Climate Champions webpage for additional resources and climate related news and events!
Upcoming Events
APA Webinars
April 16 - Design Thinking – Utilizing Hand Graphics to Explore Ideas
April 16 - Keeping the Water On: Addressing the Water Affordability Crisis in the Wake of COVID-19
April 21 - Achieving Sustainability through Infrastructure Planning
April 28 - Clean Energy and Your Comprehensive Plan: Guidance for Local Governments
April 30 - Planning for Infrastructure Resilience: From Aging Infrastructure to Climate Change
Planning for upcoming 2021 webinars are in progress - check out the APA webinars page and APA-SCD's NEW webinar page for updates.
Learn More
Opportunities
Sustainable Transportation Marketing Manager - Foursquare Integrated Transportation Planning is looking for a marketing and communications professional who is passionate about making a positive difference in the community; is interested in public transportation, biking, walking, and helping others make sustainable travel choices; is creative; is driven to excel in all that you do; are interested in growing professionally; and enjoys working with teams, then this is the position for you!
Environmental Sustainability Officer - Oakland County, Michigan has an opening for an Environmental Sustainability Officer to function as a strategic advisor on environmental sustainability initiatives and will serve as a key member of County Executive's leadership team. This position will advance the County's environmental sustainability interests at the state and federal level, both through seeking support from agencies for County initiatives and to present the County's work as best practice.The position is responsible for development of the County's near-term and long-term sustainability agenda, tracking progress towards measurable goals and working across various County departments to execute sustainability initiatives. The Environmental Sustainability Officer leads internal review of plans and the creation of policies and programs to improve the County's sustainability. The position will also engage external partners to communicate, educate and advocate for environmentally responsibility plans and actions.
Community Engagement Coordinator - Grand Junction, Colorado is searching for a candidate to play a lead role in planning, developing, managing, and executing the City's public engagement initiatives. The ideal candidate will have experience managing and leading effective public outreach and engagement programs as well as a thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of public engagement, outreach, strategic planning, project management, and program evaluation. The candidate should thrive on collaboration and building strong relationships with a variety of stakeholders to help the public engage with its local government. This position requires someone with the expertise to assist in building inter-cultural and cultural awareness within the City.
Landscape Architecture / Planning / Sustainability Positions (3) - CREÄ Affiliates, LLC in Seattle, Washington is seeking motivated professionals to join our growing team. Duties will require working with clients and company staff, and coordinating with other consultants to deliver high-quality design and ensure superior client services. These are leadership positions. The selected candidates will be required to develop and manage project budgets to ensure high-quality deliverables within budget. The candidates will build, develop, and grow any business relationships vital to the success of the project and the firm.
Know of an opportunity (job, RFP, etc) of interest to the APA Sustainable Communities Division? Post it on LinkedIn or send it to apascd@gmail.com!
2021 SPONSORS
If you're not already a member of the APA Sustainable Communities Division, please join today! Membership gets you plugged in to our projects, gives you access to our quarterly newsletter, and supports our mission to push sustainability to the forefront of planning.
Connect with over 7,000 sustainability-minded planners on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Submit an event or announcement for our next e-Bulletin.
Catch up on our previous e-Bulletins and activities in our archive.
Copyright © 2020 APA Sustainable Communities Division, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you signed up to be on our list at the American Planning Association conference, at another planning-related event, or on our website.
Our mailing address is:
APA Sustainable Communities Division
205 N. Michigan Ave
Suite 1200
Chicago, IL 60601
APA SCD E-Bulletin - 03/18/2021
Sustainable Communities Division News
Gray to Green Communities: Addressing Affordable Housing and Sustainability
Dana Bourland, Vice President for the Environment at the JPB Foundation, shares her experience creating the first standard for green affordable housing that is designed to deliver measurable health, economic and environmental benefits. Join Dana Bourland on Friday, March 26 at 1:00 p.m. EDT (1.5 AICP CM credits) for this free webinar hosted by the Smart Growth Information Clearinghouse.
APA SCD Climate Champions Program
The Climate Champions will be an integral part of a national sustainability network focused on the following:
Facilitating cross-regional collaboration for climate action and sustainability
Building capacity in their respective states and local chapters in association with SCD leadership and other Champions
Being a local and regional resource for planners and allied professionals
Focusing on empowering planners to advance climate action to create sustainable, resilient, and equitable communities
APA SCD Climate Champions Program
Alaska - Freddie Olin IV
Florida - Erin Deady, P.A., AICP & Christina Fermin, AICP
Georgia - Marilyn Hall, AICP
Iowa - Allison van Pelt
Massachusetts - Beth Faxon & Fiona Coughlan, AICP
Minnesota - Eric Wojchik, AICP
Nevada - Marco Velotta, AICP
New York - Ann Ruzow Holland, AICP
North Carolina - Teresa Townsend, AICP & Lindsey Hallock, AICP
Ohio - Deepa Vedavyas
Rhode Island - James Riordan, AICP
Texas - Julio Carrillo, AICP & David Abraham, AICP
Utah - Mike Christensen
To learn more visit https://www.apascd.com/climate-champions
See our NEW E-Bulletin section below for shared resources and upcoming climate related news and events.
Take the Lead and Be An APA SCD Sponsor for 2021
APA SCD is still accepting sponsors for 2021. Learn about the benefits and apply to be a sponsor for 2021 at https://www.apascd.com/sponsors.
APA News
11 Women Whose Work Can Inspire Post-Pandemic Planning
In honor of Women's History Month, Lindsay Nieman acknowledges the trailblazing efforts of 11 outstanding women who stood for racial, economic, and housing justice whose stories continue to offer lessons for today's planners. Take a moment to learn about these women in the Winter 2021 Planning Magazine.
May 5-7: Plan to Attend the 2021 National Planning Conference Live
Gain practical insights, plus connect with a network of people facing similar challenges and implementing innovative solutions across the nation. There are two levels this year: NPC21 Live and NPC21 Live Plus. NPC21 Live provides access to the live sessions, networking, exhibit hall, and other live activities. NPC21 Live Plus includes additional professional development perks through June 30 such as: All NPC21 recorded content, Unlimited access to all APA Learn courses, Two live webinars. Register online.
Follow Us!
Sustainability Tools, News, and Resources
Housing for Diversity: Ending Segregation Through Zoning
Objectives for this course include: identifying ways to approach nontraditional family arrangements and housing diversity to achieve greater housing attainability and end historical patterns of segregation; developing familiarity with drafting choices in preparing and implementing zoning codes that are inclusionary to all groups and household types; and seeking to inform participants with a working understanding of federal and state laws pertaining to fair housing and the regulation of nontraditional living arrangements.
Articles and Resources
Transportation
CA Transportation Agency Releases Plan to Support, Promote Sustainable Transportation
We spend $9B a year on transportation. We need a plan to spend it wisely. | Opinion
Roads, transit and tech: How Buttigieg plans to localize the federal transportation agenda
Equity
Equity task force hears from “the father of environmental justice”
A Tree Grows in Richmond: Southside Moves from Redlining to Greening
Climate Action
From LinkedIn
Our LinkedIn group has over 7K members and continues to grow every week!
Check out these recent posts from group members:
From Our SCD Climate Champions
Georgia Flood Map Program Open House
Climate change has made droughts more severe and flooding more catastrophic. Many properties that once were not in flood prone areas now are. Georgia is working on updating flood maps and the new flood hazard maps for the Upper Oconee Watershed and others are ready for public review. The preliminary maps are the result of a multi-year project to develop accurate and detailed digital flood maps based on data from the latest mapping and modeling technologies. They are being released by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) under the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), in cooperation with the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Residents and businesses will want to be aware of how the maps are changing, and how changes may affect new construction and rebuilding decisions, as well as requirements for flood insurance. Property owners are encouraged to visit Georgia’s Virtual Flood Risk Open House to better understand the project and changes. The Virtual Flood Risk Open House provides information relevant to the proposed changes in flood risks in Athens-Clarke County, as well as an opportunity to connect with floodplain management experts.
In-person virtual meetings are available by appointment only and can be reserved on the website, via the “Connect with Us” page of the Virtual Flood Risk Open House. Appointments for property owners in Athens-Clarke County will be held between April 19 and April 30, 2021. These appointments must be reserved between March 29 and April 14, 2021.
To learn more about the preliminary maps, see what areas will change, learn what the insurance options are, and find the schedule for related community meetings, visit www.georgiadfirm.com.
Visit the SCD website and the Climate Champions webpage for additional resources and climate related news and events!
Upcoming Events
APA Webinars
March 22 - Development and Implementation of a Regional Environmental Strategic Plan
March 24 - Implementing Fair Housing Laws and Utilizing Regional Partners
March 24 - A Bold New Future for Autonomous Vehicles
March 31 - Potential Redevelopment Options for Retail Spaces
March 31 - Climate Action Planning- GHG Reduction
April 14 - Resilient Planning Integration and Legal Considerations Webinar
April 21 - Achieving Sustainability through Infrastructure Planning
April 28 - Clean Energy and Your Comprehensive Plan: Guidance for Local Governments
Planning for upcoming 2021 webinars are in progress - check out the APA webinars page and APA-SCD's NEW webinar page for updates.
Learn More
Opportunities
Sustainability Program Analyst - Sustainable DC at DOEE is hiring! Responsibilities include: strategizing on implementing specific plan actions, coordinating the annual plan progress report, developing and strengthening community partnerships (such as universities, embassies, and community organizations), managing Sustainable DC communications (monthly newsletter, social media, email), and engaging with residents on sustainability (with a focus on black, indigenous, and people of color who have historically not been well included in sustainability initiatives). Apply by March 31 at careers.dc.gov using job ID 12306.
Environmental Services Director - Fort Collins, CO is seeking a director to lead the many programs and services that pursue Council policies on sustainability, air quality, climate, waste reduction, community engagement, and meaningful performance measurement. The Environmental Services Director is responsible for environmental sustainability strategic planning and reporting and effectively leads the preparation of short-term and long-term plans. The Director develops and manages the department's biennial budget and coordinates the development and implementation of specific, measurable outcomes associated with the City's Budgeting for Outcomes process and City Council Work Plan.
Director - The City of Gainesville, FL seeks an experienced professional with urban planning and growth expertise, along with strong management capabilities to lead the Department of Sustainable Development. The Director of Sustainable Development manages the planning and zoning, code enforcement, and building divisions, and oversees the First Step Citizens Assistance Program.
Sr. Professional Community Planner - Golden Valley, MN WSB & Associates is hiring a senior planner to manage a variety of clients' planning and zoning needs, with a primary focus on Zoning administration, Community engagement initiatives, and Comprehensive and small area planning.
Director of Community Development - Buena Park, CA is looking for an ideal candidate to step into great project opportunities, be a progressive community development professional with solid land use credentials and exceptional communication skills and bring fresh and contemporary perspectives to business practices and outcomes.
Landscape Architecture / Planning / Sustainability Positions (3) - CREÄ Affiliates, LLC in Seattle, Washington is seeking motivated professionals to join our growing team. Duties will require working with clients and company staff, and coordinating with other consultants to deliver high-quality design and ensure superior client services. These are leadership positions. The selected candidates will be required to develop and manage project budgets to ensure high-quality deliverables within budget. The candidates will build, develop, and grow any business relationships vital to the success of the project and the firm.
Know of an opportunity (job, RFP, etc) of interest to the APA Sustainable Communities Division? Post it on LinkedIn or send it to apascd@gmail.com!
2021 SPONSORS
If you're not already a member of the APA Sustainable Communities Division, please join today! Membership gets you plugged in to our projects, gives you access to our quarterly newsletter, and supports our mission to push sustainability to the forefront of planning.
Connect with over 7,000 sustainability-minded planners on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Submit an event or announcement for our next e-Bulletin.
Catch up on our previous e-Bulletins and activities in our archive.
Copyright © 2020 APA Sustainable Communities Division, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you signed up to be on our list at the American Planning Association conference, at another planning-related event, or on our website.
Our mailing address is:
APA Sustainable Communities Division
205 N. Michigan Ave
Suite 1200
Chicago, IL 60601
APA SCD E-Bulletin - 02/18/2021
Sustainable Communities Division News
SCD Earns APA's Overall Performance Award
Congratulations to the APA SCD team! The American Planning Association Divisions Council has awarded our committee the Overall Performance Award. Cheers to a great start to 2021!
Applications for the APA-SCD 8th Annual Awards for Excellence in Sustainability - 10 Days left to Apply!
The 2021 SCD Awards Applications are open and available until 5pm EST Sunday, February 28. This year, there are 10 award categories, including a new Student Project category and refined Leadership categories. Please download the information packet or visit apascd.com/awards for more information. If you have any questions about eligibility or the nomination process, please contact the Award Coordinator, Jenny Koch, at jenniferk@rhiplaces.com.
Take the Lead and Be An APA SCD Sponsor for 2021!
APA SCD welcomes all interested sponsors to apply. Learn about the benefits and apply to be a sponsor for 2021 at https://www.apascd.com/sponsors.
APA News
May 5-7: Plan to Attend the 2021 National Planning Conference Live
Gain practical insights, plus connect with a network of people facing similar challenges and implementing innovative solutions across the nation. There are two levels this year: NPC21 Live and NPC21 Live Plus. NPC21 Live provides access to the live sessions, networking, exhibit hall, and other live activities. NPC21 Live Plus includes additional professional development perks through June 30 such as: All NPC21 recorded content, Unlimited access to all APA Learn courses, Two live webinars. Register online.
2021 Federal Legislative Priorities
Take a moment to view APA President Leo R. Asunction's announcement on this year's Federal Legislative Priorities. The legislative priorities for Planning and Communities includes: Recovery, Transportation and Broadband Infrastructure, Housing, and Climate Change. Read more on the update here.
Follow Us!
Sustainability Tools, News, and Resources
Green Roofs for Healthy Cities Green Infrastructure Symposia Series
GRHC is offering a Green Infrastructure Policy Virtual Symposium on Thursday, February 25 from 1 - 5pm. The Symposium will bring together policymakers and advocates from across North America who have lead green infrastructure policy programs and campaigns with the goal of making it easier for jurisdictions to implement similar policies and providing a framework that will support organizations in their advocacy efforts. See the agenda and register here. Pending approval for 3 LU|HSW credits from AIA, ASLA, APLD, and GRP credits
Nature-Based Solutions for Hazard Mitigation and Community Resilience
This featured course focuses on the connection between nature-based solutions and planning processes while providing resources, case examples, and recommendations for action.
Confronting the Housing Crisis
Today’s political, economic, and social landscape makes housing planning and policy more challenging and more important. Take an in-depth look with this featured course at the politics of housing and how language, stories, and engagement can help promote housing opportunity.
Articles and Resources
Urban Policy
Climate Action
Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad
San Diego launches campaign to make city more resilient to climate change
Sustainable Cities
From LinkedIn
Our LinkedIn group has over 7K members and continues to grow every week!
Check out these recent posts from group members:
Upcoming Events
APA Webinars
February 19 - Health In All Policies: Incorporating Health into Planning, Policy and Decision-Making
February 22 - The Impact of Masonry Ordinances in Promoting Sustainable Communities
February 24 - The Costs of the Vehicle Economy in Hawai‘i
February 24 - Working With Developers to Foster Investment in the Community
February 25 - Recentering Race in Environmental Justice
February 27 - Equitable and Just Practices for Transportation Planning
February 27 - Body and community mapping: healing and mobility tools for feminist/anti-racist/decolonial planning practice
Planning for upcoming 2021 webinars are in progress - check out the APA webinars page and APA-SCD's NEW webinar page for updates.
Other Webinars
Opportunities
Landscape Architecture / Planning / Sustainability Positions (3) - CREÄ Affiliates, LLC in Seattle, Washington is seeking motivated professionals to join our growing team. Duties will require working with clients and company staff, and coordinating with other consultants to deliver high-quality design and ensure superior client services. These are leadership positions. The selected candidates will be required to develop and manage project budgets to ensure high-quality deliverables within budget. The candidates will build, develop, and grow any business relationships vital to the success of the project and the firm.
Assistant/Associate Professor, Environmental Studies - As Assistant or Associate Professor of Environmental Studies at the Florida Gulf Coast University, you will: teach at both undergraduate and graduate levels, as applicable; be involved in course and/or curriculum development; conduct research/scholarship; participate on College and University committees and/or initiatives; and perform other duties as assigned.
Community Development Director - The City of Aventura, FL is seeking a mission driven, solution and community oriented, experienced candidate with management and planning credentials for the position of Community Development Director.
Director of Community Development - The City of Brentwood, CA is now recruiting for a Community Development Director. This is an at-will, executive management position reporting to the City Manager. The Community Development Director plans, organizes, directs and personally performs professional work related to the City’s community development activities.
Know of an opportunity (job, RFP, etc) of interest to the APA Sustainable Communities Division? Post it on LinkedIn or send it to apascd@gmail.com!
2021 SPONSORS
If you're not already a member of the APA Sustainable Communities Division, please join today! Membership gets you plugged in to our projects, gives you access to our quarterly newsletter, and supports our mission to push sustainability to the forefront of planning.
Connect with over 7,000 sustainability-minded planners on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Submit an event or announcement for our next e-Bulletin.
Catch up on our previous e-Bulletins and activities in our archive.
Copyright © 2020 APA Sustainable Communities Division, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you signed up to be on our list at the American Planning Association conference, at another planning-related event, or on our website.
Our mailing address is:
APA Sustainable Communities Division
205 N. Michigan Ave
Suite 1200
Chicago, IL 60601
APA SCD E-Bulletin - 02/04/2021
Sustainable Communities Division News
Applications for the APA-SCD 8th Annual Awards for Excellence in Sustainability
The 2021 SCD Awards Applications are open and available until 5pm EST Sunday, February 28. This year, there are 10 award categories, including a new Student Project category and refined Leadership categories. Watch the past webinars and find out about the lessons learned that you can apply to your own sustainability efforts on our new website or our YouTube Channel! Please download the information packet or visit apascd.com/awards for more information. If you have any questions about eligibility or the nomination process, please contact the Award Coordinator, Jenny Koch, at jenniferk@rhiplaces.com.
Reminder to Visit our New SCD Website!
As mentioned earlier, we now have a brand new SCD website: apascd.com. We invite you to visit the site and the new features. All SCD-related information will be posted to the site going forward. Don't forget to bookmark it and check for updates regularly!
APA News
Statement Regarding U.S. Capitol Attack
The APA released a statement regarding the Capital incident. Read the full statement from APA online.
Introducing the New Climate Change Policy Guide
The Climate Change Policy Guide is a timely publication by the APA and efforts by APA's Sustainable Communities Division. Embodied within the document are over 50 policies and hundreds of supporting strategies to help planners to proactively and effectively respond to a changing climate. The policies and strategies are organized by the six APA Sustainability Comprehensive Plan Standards categories, including the Livable Built Environment; Harmony with Nature; Resilient Economy; Interwoven Equity; Healthy Communities; and Responsible Regionalism. There is also a separate category focused on needed federal and state policies. During 2020, SCD took leadership on this update where every one of the principal authors was a member of the division. SCD will continue to develop resources, information, and best practices to support planners in their efforts to respond to changing climate and in creating sustainable, resilient, and equitable communities.
APA Congratulates Successful November 2020 Examinees
Congratulations is in order to the members who passed the November 2020 AICP Certification Exam! The list can be found here.
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Sustainability Tools, News, and Resources
Streetsmart for Healthy Transportation Strategies
The beta version of Streetsmart, a platform designed to give civic leaders the evidence and insight they need for healthy transportation, has been released at thinkstreetsmart.org. Streetsmart draws from research reviews to identify the proven strategies that meet community goals for increasing walking, bicycling, and physical activity and reducing vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions. Guidebooks, case studies, and fact sheets are also featured to help practitioners implement strategies with confidence. Equity and inclusion considerations are noted with every goal and strategy. For more information about Streetsmart, please contact Kelly Rodgers at kelly@thinkstreetsmart.org
Climate Change Resources
APA provides its members with information and resources to do their jobs effectively and advocate for best planning practices in the communities where they work. The environmental and economic impacts of climate change on communities are a continuing focus of APA's research efforts. Take a look at the climate change resources available from APA on the Climate Change Resources page. Also check out the Disaster Recovery Resources page for hazard mitigation information.
Articles and Resources
Climate Action
Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad
MIT School of Architecture and Planning (SA+P) creates climate action plan
New U.S. Administration’s Climate Plan Would Propel Innovation in Sustainability
Sustainable Cities
Highlighting Best Practices for Climate Resilience from Five Global Cities
Sustainability officers respond to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis with renewed determination
Alternative/Clean Energy
Inclusion
From LinkedIn
Our LinkedIn group has over 7K members and continues to grow every week!
Check out these recent posts from group members:
SDG ROUNDUP - 10 SDG Innovation Areas and Trending Technologies
Jan 29 Webinar on housing and climate change being hosted by APA's Housing & Community Development Division
Wind energy is finally cheap. But will people accept living near it?
IEREK Press wants your papers in by April 30 to join the ESSD family
SDG report highlights that showcase some of the most crucial innovation areas this past year.
Upcoming Events
APA Webinars
February 19 - Health In All Policies: Incorporating Health into Planning, Policy and Decision-Making
February 22 - The Impact of Masonry Ordinances in Promoting Sustainable Communities
February 24 - Working With Developers to Foster Investment in the Community
May 5 - 2021 National Planning Conference (Mark your calendars!)
Planning for upcoming 2021 webinars are in progress - check out the APA webinars page and APA-SCD's NEW webinar page for updates.
Other Webinars
Opportunities
Assistant/Associate Professor, Environmental Studies - As Assistant or Associate Professor of Environmental Studies at the Florida Gulf Coast University, you will: teach at both undergraduate and graduate levels, as applicable; be involved in course and/or curriculum development; conduct research/scholarship; participate on College and University committees and/or initiatives; and perform other duties as assigned.
Community Development Director - The City of Aventura, FL is seeking a mission driven, solution and community oriented, experienced candidate with management and planning credentials for the position of Community Development Director.
Director of Community Development - The City of Brentwood, CA is now recruiting for a Community Development Director. This is an at-will, executive management position reporting to the City Manager. The Community Development Director plans, organizes, directs and personally performs professional work related to the City’s community development activities.
Community or Neighborhood Development - The City of Decatur, AL is looking for a candidate who possess a thorough knowledge of and experiences with the principles and practices of management and leadership. Experience in, or ability to quickly adapt experiences and knowledge to urban planning, land use, building construction, zoning, subdivision regulations, historic preservation, economic development, and site development rules, regulations and ordinances in a growing, comparably sized community.
Village Administrator/Community Development Director - The Village of Wadsworth, IL is seeking an individual with a non-traditional skill set for the position of Village Administrator/Community Director. Someone that can combine a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in a field related to the work at hand, along with at least 10 years experience (including at least 5 years in a top management position), a working knowledge of local government in Illinois, technical experience in some combination of Streets and Parkway management, Building, Zoning, Code Enforcement, Park maintenance, Economic Development, along with Budget preparation and administration would be ideal for this position.
Housing Program Coordinator - The City of Charlottesville, VA is seeking qualified candidates to be considered for the position of Housing Program Coordinator who are highly motivated and who strives for success by demonstrating Charlottesville's Core Values of Leadership, Trust, Creativity, Respect, and Excellence. The Housing Program Coordinator position performs responsible professional work in the handling of a variety of assignments in the Housing and Redevelopment Division of the City Manager's Office and does related work as required.
Know of an opportunity (job, RFP, etc) of interest to the APA Sustainable Communities Division? Post it on LinkedIn or send it to apascd@gmail.com!
2021 SPONSORS
If you're not already a member of the APA Sustainable Communities Division, please join today! Membership gets you plugged in to our projects, gives you access to our quarterly newsletter, and supports our mission to push sustainability to the forefront of planning.
Connect with over 7,000 sustainability-minded planners on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Submit an event or announcement for our next e-Bulletin.
Catch up on our previous e-Bulletins and activities in our archive.
Copyright © 2020 APA Sustainable Communities Division, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you signed up to be on our list at the American Planning Association conference, at another planning-related event, or on our website.
Our mailing address is:
APA Sustainable Communities Division
205 N. Michigan Ave
Suite 1200
Chicago, IL 60601
Climate Change Policy Guide
Tackle climate impacts with APA's new policy climate guide
Take a look at APA’s new Climate Change Policy Guide! APA's newly revised Climate Change Policy Guide arms planners with practical guidance for creating tailored climate policies, plans, programs, projects, standards, and regulations. Most importantly, it positions planners to advocate for federal and state policies that will empower communities to confront the impacts of a changing climate and plan for a safer, more resilient, and carbon-free future.
8th Annual Awards for Excellence in Sustainability
We want to celebrate your work!
The Sustainable Communities Division welcomes all Division members and non-members to submit a nomination for this year’s Awards for Excellence in Sustainability. There are 10 categories of awards, including a new Student Project award, and changes to the Leadership in Sustainability award:
Community Plan
Municipal, State, or Regional Plan
Policy, Law, or Tool
Energy Plan or Project
Park, Recreation, or Open Space Plan or Project
Green Infrastructure Plan or Project
Urban Design Plan or Development Project
Student Project
Leadership in Sustainability - Organization or Initiative
Leadership in Sustainability - Individual
All nominations will be submitted through a web form. You can learn more about the awards on the SCD website, apascd.com/awards, or download the information packet here. If you have any questions, please reach out to the SCD Awards Coordinator, Jenny Koch, at jenniferk@rhiplaces.com.
APA SCD E-Bulletin - 01/15/2021
Sustainable Communities Division News
A Warm Welcome to Our New Chair!
SCD extends a great appreciation for post-Chair Matt Bucchin for his dedication and leadership as he now passes the leadership torch to our new Chair, Merrill St. Leger, for 2021-2022! Read this letter to learn more about Merrill and exciting plans for 2021!
2021: Happy New Year and New SCD Website
We're bringing in the new year with a brand new SCD website: apascd.com. In case you haven't checked it out already, we invite you to visit the site and the new features. All SCD-related information will be posted to the site going forward. Don't forget to bookmark it and check for updates regularly!
Applications for the 2021 APA-SCD Awards for Excellence in Sustainability
The 2021 SCD Awards Applications are open and available on our new webpage until 5pm EST Sunday, February 28. Watch the past webinars and find out about the lessons learned that you can apply to your own sustainability efforts on our new website or our YouTube Channel!
Join the Plan4Resilience Network
Join the Plan4Resilience network to connect with others interested in applying nature-based solutions to advance community resilience! This conversation is increasingly important as communities come together to identify rebuilding projects supported by federal funding. We invite you to share your questions, resources, and success stories with peers today!
LEED for Cities and Communities Webinar Series
Recently, USGBC released LEED for Cities and Communities—a certification program that specifically helps local leaders, planners and developers create sustainable cities and communities. To help advance both of our missions, SCD and USGBC are promoting a series of free LEED for Cities and Communities webinars. They are approved for both GBCI CE (continuing education) and AICP CM credit (1.0 hour).
Check out the daily lineup for other future webinars.
For questions about the LEED for Cities and Communities rating system, please reach out to SCD member Vatsal Bhatt, PhD, Vice President – Communities, USGBC, at vbhatt@usgbc.org.
APA News
An Introduction to APA's New President
APA has transitioned to a new two-year president, Leo R. Asuncion Jr., AICP. You can read his introduction and more about his background on APA's Planning Magazine's article, New Opportunities for a Bright Future for Planning
Seven Students Receive Scholarships to Advance Planning Studies
Aspiring planning students have earned scholarships from the American Planning Association Foundation. The scholarships help make planning education more accessible, attract the most talented individuals to the profession, and work toward making the profession more diverse. Each of this year’s scholarship recipients are inspired by their own personal experiences and desire to create stronger futures for their communities through equity, environmental stewardship, and economic development. Find out who the recipients are!
AICP Certification
A new platform for the AICP certification process is now available for the winter application window which opened on January 5. Apply ASAP to schedule in submitting your experience essays this month!
Follow Us!
Sustainability Tools, News, and Resources
Climate Change Resources
APA provides its members with information and resources to do their jobs effectively and advocate for best planning practices in the communities where they work. The environmental and economic impacts of climate change on communities are a continuing focus of APA's research efforts. Take a look at the climate change resources available from APA on the Climate Change Resources page. Also check out the Disaster Recovery Resources page for hazard mitigation information.
APA's Resource KnowledgeBase
The KnowledgeBase connects APA members to curated collections of topically related resources — including plans, regulations, model codes, guides, articles, reports, and multimedia files.
Sign in as an APA member to learn more about topics such as these:
Articles and Resources
Climate Change
Sustainable Cities
Alternative/Clean Energy
Sustainable/Urban Agriculture
From LinkedIn
Our LinkedIn group has over 7K members and continues to grow every week!
Check out these recent posts from group members:
Upcoming Events
APA Webinars
January 19 - Working With Elected Officials and Understanding Everyone’s Role in Planning
January 31 - New Jersey American Society of Landscape Architects 2021 Annual Meeting
January 27 - Community Friendly Lighting in our Downtowns and Developments
February 19 - Health In All Policies: Incorporating Health into Planning, Policy and Decision-Making
February 24 - Working With Developers to Foster Investment in the Community
May 5 - 2021 National Planning Conference (Mark your calendars!)
Planning for upcoming 2021 webinars are in progress - check out the APA webinars page and APA-SCD's NEW webinar page for updates.
Other Webinars
Opportunities
Community or Neighborhood Development - The City of Decatur, AL is looking for a candidate who possess a thorough knowledge of and experiences with the principles and practices of management and leadership. Experience in, or ability to quickly adapt experiences and knowledge to urban planning, land use, building construction, zoning, subdivision regulations, historic preservation, economic development, and site development rules, regulations and ordinances in a growing, comparably sized community.
Village Administrator/Community Development Director - The Village of Wadsworth, IL is seeking an individual with a non-traditional skill set for the position of Village Administrator/Community Director. Someone that can combine a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in a field related to the work at hand, along with at least 10 years experience (including at least 5 years in a top management position), a working knowledge of local government in Illinois, technical experience in some combination of Streets and Parkway management, Building, Zoning, Code Enforcement, Park maintenance, Economic Development, along with Budget preparation and administration would be ideal for this position.
Deputy Community Development Director - The City of Rochester, MN is offering a unique opportunity for an innovative, collaborative, and high-performing individual to provide leadership and direction in support of our vision "to be recognized as America's most innovative development services team" and carry out our Development Services and Infrastructure commitments.
Housing Program Coordinator - The City of Charlottesville is seeking qualified candidates to be considered for the position of Housing Program Coordinator who are highly motivated and who strives for success by demonstrating Charlottesville's Core Values of Leadership, Trust, Creativity, Respect, and Excellence. The Housing Program Coordinator position performs responsible professional work in the handling of a variety of assignments in the Housing and Redevelopment Division of the City Manager's Office and does related work as required.
Know of an opportunity (job, RFP, etc) of interest to the APA Sustainable Communities Division? Post it on LinkedIn or send it to apascd@gmail.com!
2021 SPONSORS
If you're not already a member of the APA Sustainable Communities Division, please join today! Membership gets you plugged in to our projects, gives you access to our quarterly newsletter, and supports our mission to push sustainability to the forefront of planning.
Connect with over 7,000 sustainability-minded planners on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Submit an event or announcement for our next e-Bulletin.
Catch up on our previous e-Bulletins and activities in our archive.
Copyright © 2020 APA Sustainable Communities Division, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you signed up to be on our list at the American Planning Association conference, at another planning-related event, or on our website.
Our mailing address is:
APA Sustainable Communities Division
205 N. Michigan Ave
Suite 1200
Chicago, IL 60601
Letter from the Chair
4 January 2021
Greetings SCD Members!
Happy New Year! With 2021 now upon us, I wanted to introduce myself: My name is Merrill St. Leger and I am the new Chair of APA’s Sustainable Communities Division for 2021 and 2022. Last year, I was Chair-elect and served as Secretary-Treasurer a few years prior to that. I am also a Principal at SmithGroup, where I lead the Urban Design and Planning studio in our DC office. I am very excited to assume this role and to work with you and the Executive Committee (EC) over the next couple of years.
To that end, the first order of business is to express my profound gratitude to Matt Bucchin, now Immediate Past Chair, who will, fortunately for us, remain deeply involved with the SCD and through his ongoing work on APA’s Climate Change initiatives. Matt’s commitment to and leadership of SCD have been critical to the success of this Division over the last three years, and I cannot thank him enough for his guidance, good humor, and kindness. Along with Matt, the SCD’s important work would not be possible without the dedication of the other members of the EC including Karla Ebenbach, our Secretary-Treasurer; Jenny Koch, our Education Committee Chair; Teresa Townsend, our Communications Chair; Anne Miller, Legislative and Policy Committee Chair; Brian Ross, Climate Champions Program leader; Fiona Coughlan and Kate Poppel, co-chairs of our Students and Emerging Professionals committee; and Past Chairs Scott Turner and Rob Kerns. You will be hearing more about opportunities to engage with each of them and their work on SCD initiatives in the coming months.
In the Fall and Winter of 2020, the EC embarked on developing the 2021-22 SCD Strategic Plan, a process which is currently wrapping up and will become the roadmap for the Division for the next two years. We look forward to sharing the details of that plan with you in the next couple of weeks.
While 2020 was an incredibly challenging year in so many ways, we are optimistic and hopeful that 2021 and beyond will bring new insights and opportunities to support the work of our members to create and nurture sustainable, resilient and equitable communities. I wish you and your loved ones a bright and healthy 2021.
Sincerely,
Merrill St. Leger
PS, if you haven’t already, please check out apascd.com, the Division’s new website at where you will find great resources on sustainable communities and which we are continuing to update and add to!
APA SCD E-Bulletin - 12/21/2020
Sustainable Communities Division News
SCD Website Update
It's official! The SCD website is up and running and all SCD-related information will be posted to the site going forward. We invite you to visit the site and check out the new features. While you're there, don't forget to bookmark it and check for updates regularly!
NPC Boston Call for Sessions
NPC21 will be fully digital, May 5–7, 2021. Due to the ongoing pandemic and COVID-19 public gathering restrictions currently in place in Boston, NPC21 will take place as a virtual event. Sign up to review sessions or propose session, topics, or speakers by January 6. See more details about the call for proposals here.
Applications for the 2021 APA-SCD Awards for Excellence in Sustainability
The 2021 SCD Awards Applications are open and available on our new webpage. Watch the past webinars and find out about the lessons learned that you can apply to your own sustainability efforts on the YouTube Channel!
Join the Plan4Resilience Network
Join the Plan4Resilience network to connect with others interested in applying nature-based solutions to advance community resilience! This conversation is increasingly important as communities come together to identify rebuilding projects supported by federal funding. We invite you to share your questions, resources, and success stories with peers today!
LEED for Cities and Communities Webinar Series
Recently, USGBC released LEED for Cities and Communities—a certification program that specifically helps local leaders, planners and developers create sustainable cities and communities. To help advance both of our missions, SCD and USGBC are promoting a series of free LEED for Cities and Communities webinars. They are approved for both GBCI CE (continuing education) and AICP CM credit (1.0 hour).
If this series sounds interesting, be sure to check out the upcoming webinars this month! Webinars are schedule almost daily. We recommend The Next Giant Leap: Tech Transfer to the Built Environment - International Education Series on Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. Register for the event here. Check out the daily lineup for other future webinars.
If you have thoughts about additional cross-disciplinary educational opportunities, please reach out to Matt Bucchin, SCD Chair, to discuss. For questions about the LEED for Cities and Communities rating system, please reach out to SCD member Vatsal Bhatt, PhD, Vice President – Communities, USGBC, at vbhatt@usgbc.org.
APA News
Seven Students Receive Scholarships to Advance Planning Studies
Aspiring planning students have earned scholarships from the American Planning Association Foundation. The scholarships help make planning education more accessible, attract the most talented individuals to the profession, and work toward making the profession more diverse. Each of this year’s scholarship recipients are inspired by their own personal experiences and desire to create stronger futures for their communities through equity, environmental stewardship, and economic development. Find out who the recipients are!
AICP Certification
The next AICP application timeline begins December 1. Apply ASAP to schedule in submitting your experience essays in January!
Follow Us!
Sustainability Tools, News, and Resources
Climate Change Resources
APA provides its members with information and resources to do their jobs effectively and advocate for best planning practices in the communities where they work. The environmental and economic impacts of climate change on communities are a continuing focus of APA's research efforts. Take a look at the climate change resources available from APA on the Climate Change Resources page. Also check out the Disaster Recovery Resources page for hazard mitigation information.
APA's Resource KnowledgeBase
The KnowledgeBase connects APA members to curated collections of topically related resources — including plans, regulations, model codes, guides, articles, reports, and multimedia files.
Sign in as an APA member to learn more about topics such as these:
Articles and Resources
Greening Buildings
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice Leaders Look for a Focus on Disproportionately Impacted Communities of Color
Can California’s cap and trade address environmental justice?
Climate Change
From LinkedIn
Our LinkedIn group has over 7K members and continues to grow every week!
Check out these recent posts from group members:
Upcoming Events
APA Webinars
January 31 - New Jersey American Society of Landscape Architects 2021 Annual Meeting
February 19 - Health In All Policies: Incorporating Health into Planning, Policy and Decision-Making
May 5 - 2021 National Planning Conference (Mark your calendars!)
Other Webinars
Planning for upcoming 2021 webinars are in progress - check out the APA webinars page and APA-SCD's NEW webinar page for updates.
Opportunities
Executive Director, Livable City Initiative - This is highly responsible, mayoral-appointed position for the New Haven, CT Livable City Initiative, which is the City's housing department. This position oversees a large staff covering four divisions whose primary responsibilities include the creation of new affordable housing units, the preservation of existing units, creating new market-rate units across the City, enforcement of the City's housing codes, property maintenance, anti-blight activities and property acquisition and disposition.
Community Development Agency Director - County of Marin, San Rafael, CA, is currently seeking experienced planning professionals interested in leading the Community Development Agency. The Director will be involved in a wide variety of planning and revitalization efforts, building, zoning, and environmental code enforcement, grant programs, and administrative functions. The Director will be personally and actively involved in promoting community engagement and encouraging open dialogue in the review and evaluation of various planning and community development initiatives.
Water Environmental Resource Officer - Austin, TX local government is seeking to fill a position that oversees the Austin Water’s (AW) Environmental Protection and Environmental Resource programs and provides senior management leadership to ensure that environmental protection, environmental leadership, environmental resource management, and planning are embraced as priorities in AW’s various utility activities.
Know of an opportunity (job, RFP, etc) of interest to the APA Sustainable Communities Division? Post it on LinkedIn or send it to apascd@gmail.com!
2020 SPONSORS
If you're not already a member of the APA Sustainable Communities Division, please join today! Membership gets you plugged in to our projects, gives you access to our quarterly newsletter, and supports our mission to push sustainability to the forefront of planning.
Connect with over 7,000 sustainability-minded planners on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Submit an event or announcement for our next e-Bulletin.
Catch up on our previous e-Bulletins and activities in our archive.
Content and layout by Isabel Qi and Larissa Via
Copyright © 2020 APA Sustainable Communities Division, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you signed up to be on our list at the American Planning Association conference, at another planning-related event, or on our website.
Our mailing address is:
APA Sustainable Communities Division
205 N. Michigan Ave
Suite 1200
Chicago, IL 60601
APA SCD E-Bulletin - 12/03/2020
Sustainable Communities Division News
Join the Plan4Resilience Network
Join the Plan4Resilience network to connect with others interested in applying nature-based solutions to advance community resilience! This conversation is increasingly important as communities come together to identify rebuilding projects supported by federal funding. We invite you to share your questions, resources, and success stories with peers today!
2020 APA-SCD Awards for Excellence in Sustainability
Over the past few weeks, SCD hosted the annual “Award-Winning Sustainability” webinar series to showcase the winning plans and projects from the 2020 APA-SCD Awards for Excellence in Sustainability. Watch the past webinars and find out about the lessons learned that you can apply to your own sustainability efforts on the YouTube Channel!
LEED for Cities and Communities Webinar Series
Recently, USGBC released LEED for Cities and Communities—a certification program that specifically helps local leaders, planners and developers create sustainable cities and communities. To help advance both of our missions, SCD and USGBC are promoting a series of free LEED for Cities and Communities webinars. They are approved for both GBCI CE (continuing education) and AICP CM credit (1.0 hour).
If this series sounds interesting, be sure to check out the upcoming webinars this month! Webinars are schedule almost daily. We recommend The Next Giant Leap: Tech Transfer to the Built Environment - International Education Series on Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. Register for the event here. Check out the daily lineup for other future webinars.
If you have thoughts about additional cross-disciplinary educational opportunities, please reach out to Matt Bucchin, SCD Chair, to discuss. For questions about the LEED for Cities and Communities rating system, please reach out to SCD member Vatsal Bhatt, PhD, Vice President – Communities, USGBC, at vbhatt@usgbc.org.
As a reminder: If you happened to miss the last social event, we will continue to host happy hours on a rotating basis. Stay tuned in for more opportunities to connect and network!
APA News
Seven Students Receive Scholarships to Advance Planning Studies
Aspiring planning students have earned scholarships from the American Planning Association Foundation. The scholarships help make planning education more accessible, attract the most talented individuals to the profession, and work toward making the profession more diverse. Each of this year’s scholarship recipients are inspired by their own personal experiences and desire to create stronger futures for their communities through equity, environmental stewardship, and economic development. Find out who the recipients are!
AICP Certification
The next AICP application timeline begins December 1. Apply by December 14 to schedule in submitting your experience essays in January!
Follow Us!
Sustainability Tools, News, and Resources
Planning and Community Health Center Webinar Series
APA's Planning and Community Health Center Webinar Series shares research, case studies, and resources focused on built environment interventions that promote community health. The webinar series touches on a variety of topics related to planning and public health, including strategies to advance active living, healthy eating, and cross-sector and community collaborations.
Rural Health: Sustainability Planning Tools
If you haven't already, check out the various sustainability planning tools provided by the Rural Health Information Hub (RHIhub) for successfully planning for long-term sustainability to improve the health of rural Americans. This resource provides guidance on leveraging the investment of federal grant dollars to maintain successful programs and assessing current sustainability programs.
Driving Down Emissions: Transportation, land use, and climate change
With transportation accounting for the largest share of carbon emissions in the U.S., we will never achieve ambitious climate targets or create more livable and equitable communities if we don’t find ways to allow people to get around outside of a car - or provide more housing in places where that’s already an option.
Smart Growth America's new report, Driving Down Emissions, shows how we can reach those targets while building a more just and equitable society.
Articles and Resources
Smart Cities
Stefanini Group Launches Smart Cities Solution for Efficient Resource Allocation, City Operations
Breaking down regulatory barriers is key to achieve smarter cities
Equity
Racial Justice, Social Equity, and Sustainability Shine Through at 15th Annual GIS Day
Real Estate Industry Should Adopt Health, Social Equity Practices
Climate Change
From LinkedIn
Our LinkedIn group has over 6.8K members and continues to grow every week!
Check out these recent posts from group members:
Upcoming Events
APA Webinars
December 8, 11, 15, 18 - Green Growth Toolbox Live Q & A Online Session RELISTED
December 10 - Diversity & Equity Lunchtime Series – Tribal Sovereignty and Planning
December 15 - Equity by Design
December 17 - Equity Planning
Other Webinars
Opportunities
Executive Director, Livable City Initiative - This is highly responsible, mayoral-appointed position for the New Haven, CT Livable City Initiative, which is the City's housing department. This position oversees a large staff covering four divisions whose primary responsibilities include the creation of new affordable housing units, the preservation of existing units, creating new market-rate units across the City, enforcement of the City's housing codes, property maintenance, anti-blight activities and property acquisition and disposition.
Director, Community Development Agency - County of Marin, San Rafael, CA, is currently seeking experienced planning professionals interested in leading the Community Development Agency. The Director will be involved in a wide variety of planning and revitalization efforts, building, zoning, and environmental code enforcement, grant programs, and administrative functions. The Director will be personally and actively involved in promoting community engagement and encouraging open dialogue in the review and evaluation of various planning and community development initiatives.
Water Environmental Resource Officer - Austin, TX local government is seeking to fill a position that oversees the Austin Water’s (AW) Environmental Protection and Environmental Resource programs and provides senior management leadership to ensure that environmental protection, environmental leadership, environmental resource management, and planning are embraced as priorities in AW’s various utility activities.
Know of an opportunity (job, RFP, etc) of interest to the APA Sustainable Communities Division? Post it on LinkedIn or send it to apascd@gmail.com!
If you're not already a member of the APA Sustainable Communities Division, please join today! Membership gets you plugged in to our projects, gives you access to our quarterly newsletter, and supports our mission to push sustainability to the forefront of planning.
Connect with over 6,800 sustainability-minded planners on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Submit an event or announcement for our next e-Bulletin.
Catch up on our previous e-Bulletins and activities in our archive.
Content and layout by Isabel Qi and Larissa Via
Copyright © 2020 APA Sustainable Communities Division, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you signed up to be on our list at the American Planning Association conference, at another planning-related event, or on our website.
Our mailing address is:
APA Sustainable Communities Division
205 N. Michigan Ave
Suite 1200
Chicago, IL 60601