MAP: Making Great Communities Happen

The Michigan Association of Planning (MAP) is a 501 c 3 organization, dedicated to promoting sound community planning that benefits the residents of Michigan.

Transportation Bonanza 3: February 16, 2012 | Lansing Center 

Register online now at the rate of $49 to hear Mary Filardo, Executive Director of 21st Century School Fund, who will provide innovative tools for public capital investment for schools and municipalities.  National expert Robert Ogilvie, PhD will inspire planners, smart growth advocates, public health officials, and school leaders to work together to support student achievement AND meet broader community needs.  MAP once again partners with Michigan Safe Routes to School to provide quality training at an affordable price.  Learn more.

Presenters Needed for Planning Michigan 2012, MAP's Annual Conference

Deadline: March 6, 2012, 5:00 p.m.

Have a great idea for a presentation?  Tell us about it!

Proposed Michigan Regional Councils Act

Opportunity to Modernize Enabling Authority for Regional Service Provision in Michigan

The Michigan Association of Planning's Law Committee continued its efforts in 2010-11 to contemporize the State's planning and zoning enabling legislation. Following the unification of the Zoning Enabling Acts in 2006, and the Planning Enabling Acts in 2008, the committee tackled completion of its statutory unification challenge by taking up the Regional Planning Commission legislation in 2010. Three different statutes authorize regional planning in Michigan (Regional Planning Act, Metro Council Act and County or Regional Economic Development Commission Act). All statutes were written at different times and with different purposes in mind. Conceptually there is no reason that three statutes are needed, and each has its own strengths and weaknesses. One statute combining the strengths of all three would provide significant new opportunities to solve local service sharing problems-for those local governments interested in a multi-jurisdictional or regional solution.

MAP hosted two webinars in September to discuss and highlight the draft of the Regional Councils Act (RCA).  Below are links to the materials regarding the RCA.

Proposed Michigan Regional Councils Act-DRAFT

RCA FAQ's

RCA WEBINAR Powerpoint PDF

Regional Councils Act WEBINAR (originally aired September 21, 2011, a recording of this webinar is available by request)

Michigan Planner E-dition NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE!

The E-dition continues to deliver valuable information on planning basics and current planning trends through a wide variety of featured topics.  Each E-dition includes articles about planning and zoning procedures, policies, and applications (particularly useful to newly elected and appointed officials), combined with more advanced topics (for the veteran planner). These articles will often contain links to additional resources and web sites, allowing you to explore topics in as much or little detail as you wish. 

Read on... and enjoy MAP's newest member benefit, electronically available for your ever-changing needs.

September 2011 E-dition

July 2011 E-dition

Active Communities are Vibrant Communities

You can help turn your community into a more active, livable, economically viable community by participating in the Promoting Active Communities (PAC) program. Increased opportunities for physical activity can provide improved air quality, higher real estate values and better public health. Learn more.

Save Gas Money! MAP Workshops Come to You

Your community's planning officials don't have to spend money on gas to drive very far to attend MAP training programs. MAP's on-site workshop program brings the training to you. At an on-site workshop an instructor comes to your location, at a time and date convenient for your participants, and presents a comprehensive educational program, addressing the specific needs of your community. Click here to learn more about the program.

Thank you to our Corporate Members!
The MAP Corporate Membership provides an opportunity for members to further the association’s mission, and provides recognition to the corporate member who says: I want MAP to be more involved, I want MAP to have a louder voice. Click here to view MAP's current Corporate Members and learn how your company can join at this membership level.