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The Nebraska Planner: July Edition

The Nebraska Planner: July Edition

A joint publication of APA Nebraska and NPZA

APA Nebraska
July 31, 2026

Welcome to the July edition of The Nebraska Planner. This month, you'll find updates on registration for the 2026 APA Quad State Conference and the Booked on Planning Summit, along with Wildfire Resources, the NPC27 Call for Proposals, new AICP Exam schedule updates, and more. Read on for the details.

Announcements

Register Now for the 2026 APA Quad State Conference

Join the Kansas City Section and the APA Chapters of MO, KS, IA, and NE for the Quad State Conference from October 28–30 in Kansas City, MO. This three-day event offers regional planners a unique space to collaborate on emerging tech, sustainability, and innovative design. You’ll head home inspired and ready to shape the future of your community.

Early bird registration is available through August 12th.

Booked on Planning Latest Episode: Fortunate People in a Fortunate Land

Housing stability is a pressing concern for many communities, particularly during times when constructing new housing can be financially daunting. Lauren Everett emphasizes a straightforward solution in her book Fortunate People in a Fortunate Land: at home in Santa Monica’s rent-controlled housing. Rent control policies can be implemented at no cost, an approach that not only provides an immediate mechanism to stabilize housing but ensures fairness and sustainability.

To catch up on all our back episodes, search for "Book on Planning" wherever you listen to podcasts or head to www.bookedonplanning.com

APA Outstanding Chapter Volunteer Award for the Nebraska Chapter

Congratulations to Jennifer Hiatt for being selected as the recipient of the APA Outstanding Chapter Volunteer Award for the Nebraska Chapter! Jennifer is receiving this award in recognition of exceptional dedication, hard work, and significant contributions to the Nebraska chapter. Thank you, Jennifer, for your outstanding service and congratulations on this well-deserved recognition.

Join a Volunteer Committee

Looking for a meaningful way to give back, grow your professional network, and make a direct impact on our planning community? APA Nebraska is looking for members to join our volunteer committees. No matter your schedule or area of expertise, we have a place for you. Volunteer with our Outreach, Communications, Events, Legislative, Finance, or Awards & Accreditation committees.

Interested in Becoming a Sponsor of APA Nebraska?

Sponsorship offers a valuable opportunity to support the planning profession while increasing your organization’s visibility among planners, local officials, and community leaders across the state. APA Nebraska sponsors help make our conferences, workshops, and professional development opportunities possible. We invite firms, agencies, and partners to join us in strengthening planning in Nebraska—while building meaningful connections along the way.

Learn more at: https://nebraska.planning.org/connect-apa-nebraska/sponsors-and-sponsorships/

From the Presidents

Fall is quickly approaching and we are now looking back on yet another great year for the Nebraska Planning and Zoning Association. But as we look back, we know that there is plenty of work ahead and some really great learning opportunities to be had in the future.

On October 16, 2026, NPZA will hold its annual virtual Fall Workshop. This workshop is geared to offer a “snip it” of our annual face-to-face Spring Conference and is used to provide another avenue for those engaged in planning that may not have the time or budget to attend the full conference in the spring.

This year’s workshop (Via Zoom) will offer a variety of sessions on pertinent planning and zoning issues and the fundamentals that you and your Planning Commission/Board of Adjustment desire, all from the comfort of your home or office. Registration for the virtual workshop will be available soon through the NPZA Website, and an e-mail will be sent out once it is open.

We have also been working hard with the Nebraska APA on planning the 2027 Nebraska Planning Conference. This coming year’s conference will once again be held in the Younes Conference Center in Kearney and will cover an interesting list of topics for those attending.

For more information, please check out the NPZA website or follow our activities on Facebook and Twitter as well.

- Judy Clark, NPZA President

As we move into the second half of 2026, I want to thank each of you for your continued commitment to strengthening planning throughout Nebraska. The energy and engagement of our members, committees, and partners continues to reinforce the important role planners play in communities across our state.

One of the Board’s primary focuses this year has been updating the Chapter’s bylaws to ensure they reflect current practices and position APA Nebraska for the future. Later this year, members will be asked to vote on proposed revisions, and I encourage everyone to review the final draft and participate in the process.

I also strongly encourage members to become more involved in APA Nebraska through the Chapter’s many committees and volunteer opportunities. Whether your interests lie in mentorship, professional development, conference planning, communications, events, awards, or other areas, committee participation is one of the best ways to connect with colleagues and help shape the future of planning in Nebraska. If you are interested in getting involved, please do not hesitate to contact me. I would be happy to help you find a committee or opportunity that matches your interests and experience.

As we look ahead to the fall, APA Nebraska members will have a tremendous opportunity for professional development and continuing education. Registration is now open for the Quad State APA Conference, Changing Currents, in Kansas City, Missouri, from October 28–30. The conference will bring together planners from Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri to explore the issues shaping our communities and profession while offering valuable networking and Certification Maintenance opportunities. Members are encouraged to register soon, as special Early Bird rates will be ending in the coming weeks.

Finally, congratulations to Stephanie Rouse and Jennifer Hiatt on the continued success of the Booked on Planning podcast. Their efforts have created an engaging forum for planners, architects, and community leaders across the country. Building on that success, the inaugural Booked on Planning Book Summit will be held October 12–13, 2026, at the Graduate by Hilton in Charlottesville, Virginia. The day-and-a-half event will feature presentations from authors of recent urban planning literature, behind-the-scenes discussions with publishers, a guided walking tour exploring Charlottesville’s unique architectural and planning history, and valuable networking opportunities.

Thank you for your continued support of APA Nebraska and for the work you do every day on behalf of your communities. I look forward to continuing our work together in the months ahead.

Sincerely,

Bruce A. Fountain, AICP
President, APA NE

Registration is Now Open for the 2026 APA Quad State Conference - Oct 28-30 in Kansas City, MO

Registration is officially open, giving you the first pick at attending and saving. Early bird registration is available through August 12th. Registration will close on Monday, October 12th. Don’t miss your chance to get ahead of the current!

https://www.nebraskaplanning.org/p/registration-is-now-open-for-the-2026-apa-quad-state-conference

Booked on Planning Summit - Oct 12-13 in Charlottesville, VA

Looking for an affordable event to get CM credits? Love learning about a diverse array of topics? Want the opportunity to learn more about how planning books get published to publish your own someday? You can check all these boxes and more at the 2026 Booked on Planning Book Summit Oct 12-13 in Charlottesville, VA. Register today at www.bookedonplanning.com/summit

https://www.nebraskaplanning.org/p/2026-booked-on-planning-summit

Wildfire Resources

Nebraska has seen record-breaking wildfires since the start of this year, with about one million acres burned. Our state has experienced its largest recorded wildfire, the Morrill
Fire, which ignited in March and burned over 640,000 acres, according to NOAA. With the recent wildfires impacting Nebraska, many organizations have developed resources to support communities affected by this hazard.

https://www.nebraskaplanning.org/p/2026-wildfire-resources

Architecture Planning Collaboration Continues to Shape Downtown David City

Five years after Community and Regional Planning students at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln began developing a downtown revitalization plan with local partners, the resulting vision continues to shape redevelopment efforts in David City.

https://www.nebraskaplanning.org/p/architecture-planning-collaboration-continues-to-shape-downtown-david-city

Housing Reform: What's Inside the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Law

Officially passed into law on July 11, 2026, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing law is landmark legislation that will help communities tackle the nationwide housing affordability crisis. Key provisions of the law aim to support and incentivize planning and housing reforms that will increase supply, modernize regulations, streamline environmental reviews, and incentivize local zoning reforms.

https://www.nebraskaplanning.org/p/housing-reform-what-s-inside-the-21st-century-road-to-housing-law

The Competitive Advantage of Small Town USA

Across the country, a quiet crisis is etched into the landscape of rural America. Towns built around railroads that once grew to hold thousands of residents now have half as many. Shrinking graduating classes, half-filled pews in historic churches, and Main Streets lined with vacant storefronts tell the story: These communities are operating far below their built capacity while carrying the maintenance costs of infrastructure designed for a different era.

https://www.nebraskaplanning.org/p/the-competitive-advantage-of-small-town-usa

NPC27 Call for Proposals and Reviewers Opens August 5

The premier event in planning is heading to Houston. Time to gather your flight crew. Create the conference you want to see by submitting a session proposal and applying to be a peer reviewer! The strongest submissions are started early. Session proposals and peer reviewer applications open August 5th.

https://www.nebraskaplanning.org/p/npc27-call-for-proposals-and-reviewers-opens-august-5

The AICP Exam is More Accessible Than Ever

Starting next year, the AICP exam is transitioning to a single, extended April–September testing window, offering candidates greater flexibility to study, schedule, and retake the exam in the same cycle. Earn your certification to unlock expert resources, connect with a national professional network, and boost your earning potential!

https://www.nebraskaplanner.org/p/the-aicp-exam-is-more-accessible-than-ever

We are always looking for content, so if you are interested in submitting an article for the next newsletter please email [email protected], or fill out this form.

The Nebraska Planner Editorial Team

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