Planning & Development Department

Planning Organizations

1. Southcentral Michigan Planning Council (SMPC)

The Southcentral Michigan Planning Council (SMPC) is one of 14 State Planning and Development Regions. SMPC represents Branch, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, and St. Joseph Counties. The goals of SMPC are: improve regional economic health, improve transportation systems, promote regional cooperation and planning, assist local entities with community planning, and encourage regional recreation planning.

Southcentral Michigan Planning Council
W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research
300 South Westnedge Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
269-385-0409
adams@upjohn.org

2. American Planning Association (APA)

With more than 27,000 members, the American Planning Association (APA) is the largest national organization actively working for better-planned communities. Through its chapters and divisions, APA gives its members ways to work on common problems and to affect national planning policies. The American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is a part of APA that focuses on the development of the planning profession, its standards, and continuing education. Through publications, research, and conferences, APA provides professional aid to the planner and current information to all.

American Planning Association
205 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1200
Chicago, IL 60601
Tel: 312-431-9100 Fax: 312-786-6700

3. Michigan Association of Planning

The Michigan Association of Planning (MAP), a chapter of the American Planning Association, exists to promote quality community planning through education, information, and advocacy statewide. The Society represents more than 4000 planning commissioners and zoning board of appeals officials throughout Michigan along with 900 professional community planners. The Society has several planning education opportunities including a three-day conference held every fall, several regional workshops held throughout the state and on-site workshops hosted by communities. Publications include a monthly newsletter, Michigan Planner, books, and manuals.

Michigan Association of Planning
1919 W. Stadium Blvd., Suite 4
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Tel: 734-913-2000
Fax: 734-913-2061