Community Planning

American Citizen Planner – Indiana

acp-logo21.pngAmerican Citizen Planner – Indiana provides training to Indiana citizen planners who currently serve or plan to serve on area or advisory plan commissions. The program features 31 topics detailing core planning theories, practices, and processes. A comprehensive assessment and four virtual training events reinforce the content learned in the units. The program is hosted by a local Purdue Extension educator for either a county or a region.

Register Here

 

American Citizen Planner – Indiana trains Indiana citizen planners who are involved in community planning in formal and informal roles. It’s online modules and live presentations cover 31 topics from core planning theories, practices, and processes, to current planning issues specific to Indiana. A comprehensive assessment and scenario-based discussions reinforce concepts learned in the course. The program is hosted each year in the spring and fall in state-wide and local formats. Contact your local Community Development or Agriculture and Natural Resources extension educator for local program availability.

As of 2022, the course has trained over 150 Indiana citizen planners. Post program evaluations indicate increased knowledge and skill in applying concepts of public land use regulation, planning, and development, and as well as running effective plan commission meetings, communicating about plan commission activities with residents, and engaging residents effectively in the planning process.

outcomes

Participants who complete the course modules, successfully complete the course’s comprehensive exam, and attend all workshops will earn the Master Citizen Planner Certificate.

format

The course also includes live workshops totaling four hours of instruction. In-person or virtual workshops are delivered by Purdue Extension Educators and feature a guest speaker on a current planning topic in Indiana.

Modules are designed to take about 30-45 minutes to complete and cover a broad range of topics, including:

  • Ethics
  • Legal foundations
  • Comprehensive planning
  • Development plan review

Target Audiences

This program is designed for citizen planners currently serving, or preparing to serve, on area or advisory plan commissions in Indiana.

  • Current or future members of area/advisory plan commissions or zoning appeal boards
  • Interested residents
  • Elected officials
  • Municipal, county or applicable nonprofit staff
  • Members of planning-related boards or commissions, such has historic preservation, board zoning appeals, sustainability, quality of life

To learn more about American Citizen Planner – Indiana, contact:

Daniel Walker
Community Development Regional Educator
Walke422@purdue.edu
Purdue Extension, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Team

Dr. Annie Cruz-Porter, AICP, Community & Regional Development Specialist
acruzpor@purdue.edu
Purdue Center for Regional Development

Dr. Indraneel Kumar, AICP, Regional Planner: GIS & Spatial Analysis
Ikumar@purdue.edu
Purdue Center for Regional Development

Tamara Ogle, Regional Extension Educator – Community Development
togle@purdue.edu
Purdue Extension Community Development

Kara Salazar, AICP, PCED, LEED AP ND, Assistant Program Leader for Community Development and Sustainable Communities Extension Specialist
salazark@purdue.edu
Purdue Extension, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Fall Session Overview

February & July annually

2023 ACP-IN Course Timeline

  • Registration Fee: $200
  • Registration Opens: July 1
  • Orientation Webinars: July 14 & 18
  • Course Opens: August 1
  • Ethics Webinar: August 24
  • Land Use Issues to Policies Webinar: September 14
  • Enhancing Equity in Planning Webinar: October 5
  • Guest Speaker Webinar: October 26
  • Course Closes: November 30

For all inquiries: Contact Daniel Walker (walke422@purdue.edu)

Daniel Walker, AICP
Purdue University Extension|Community Development
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources Illinois-
Indiana Sea Grant
765-215-1534

Fall Registration Opens July 1st, 2023.

Register Now

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