Program

Generations change. Tastes change. Trying to stay on top of it all can be overwhelming unless we understand the ‘why’s behind the hearts and minds of new generations. When it comes to the reaching young adults, there are incredible forces to consider that are influencing how they see themselves, the brands they buy and the spaces they are drawn to stay. By knowing a generation’s unique operating system, placemakers can be better prepared to take on the nuances of creating attract spaces whether that’s out in the public, at work or online. Trust. Innovation. Influence. Loyalty. Topics that every major organization in the world wrestles to evolve. Packaged into a dynamic talk with lots of conversation starters, Clint breaks down the driving forces that attendees can rely on to build better communities, opportunities and effective marketing.

This session examines how Kansas developers are overcoming challenges through creative financing strategies, with insights into current housing trends and their impact on future affordability.

This session will explore Lawrence’s Park(ing) Day event and the concept of “Third Places” as tools for fostering community connection, placemaking, and civic engagement. We will share lessons learned, creative strategies, and outcomes from transforming parking spaces into vibrant public gathering spots.

​​​​​Community engagement in planning is a mainstay, and leads to more robust plans and, ideally, builds trust between the public/stakeholders and governments. This session will dive into real world examples of community engagement techniques that build and maintain public trust during the planning phase and beyond, in the context of transportation planning. Then the session explores an Implementation Monitoring Program, which systematically tracks the progress of small area plans to ensure actions align with plan identified goals. The program creates a structured feedback loop through detailed progress reports and action plans. Thus, it ensures that long-term planning efforts translate into measurable results, improved accountability that guide future updates and improvements.

Qdoba

Future planners strut their stuff at the Student Showcase! Stop by over the lunch hour.

Meet near the registration desk at 12:30 to go on a walking tour of green roofs on K-State's campus. 

Hear the stories and see the up-close-and-personal tour of the fruits of eight years of aggressive planning and economic development efforts in the Aggieville Business District.

Every planner has those unforgettable stories - whether it’s being put on the spot about a city you don’t work for, a stakeholder’s wardrobe malfunction mid-meeting, or the never-ending debates about “neighborhood character” It’s rarely dull. Planner Confidential is a chance to enjoy some of the most memorable planning stories in a space for shared laughs, a bit of catharsis, and some learning through shared experience.

Sara Copeland will provide an engaging ethics session. More info to come!

The story of the lead-up to and future implementation of Topeka’s 2025 Pedestrian Plan Update. Learn how the 2025 Topeka Pedestrian Master Plan Update provides a data-driven strategy to enhance the city’s sidewalk network by prioritizing investments that improve safety, connectivity, and equity for all residents. Using community input, AI-generated pavement condition scores, and GIS-based analysis, the plan serves as a dynamic tool to guide targeted repairs, new connections, and long-term infrastructure improvements.

Learn about how short term rental regulations were implemented in Wichita and what the early results have been.

In response to public input and feedback, the City of Wichita worked with College Hill stakeholders to develop a plan for the historic College Hill Neighborhood. The plan would serve as a guide for future policies, programs, and infrastructure.

Do you ever sit back, look at your regulations and processes, and ask yourself, “Why do we do it this way?” or “Why do we have that restriction in place?” The need for new housing drove the City of Manhattan to ask itself those questions and adapted its zoning codes to make infill housing easier.

Connect with colleagues and peers during our Thursday evening social in the beautiful atrium of the Museum of Art + Light. This event provides a relaxed yet professional setting to strengthen relationships, exchange ideas, and expand your network while enjoying hors d'oeuvres and a complimentary drink.

After the evening networking social at the Museum of Art + Light, continue the night just two blocks north by experiencing the vibrant energy of downtown Manhattan. Attend the BIG Little Apple Street Festival and Final Third Thursday, where you can enjoy live music, local food vendors, unique shops, and community art displays. It’s the perfect way to extend the evening, soak up the local culture, and connect with fellow attendees in a lively, festive setting.

Gown and Town Relations: Building mutually beneficial relationships by incorporating city projects, integrating planning practices and theories to a new audience, and experiential learning into curriculum.

Are you the lucky planner assigned the job of solving your community's housing crisis? You are not alone. This session will give real-life examples of the data, relationships, and economic tools used for successful policy implementation and unit production.

From A.I. to plan deconstruction; effective and inspiring planning in fiscally hostile environments. Manhattan's methods for embracing technology, leveraging resources, unlocking local human capital, and rethinking the essence of plans.

From September 2023 to the present, staff from the Wichita-Sedgwick County Planning Department worked with members of the public, elected & appointed officials, and various stakeholders to draft changes to the existing Unified Zoning Code with the intent of better aligning the application process to the scale of proposed solar projects. The Planning Department and Planning Commission were directed to review the applicable existing Zoning Code provisions and bring forward any proposed Zoning Code and/or Comprehensive Plan amendments.

Information, advice, and tips for the AICP exam application and the exam itself. There are some changes and opportunities coming down the pike - be the first to know!

Members of the APA KS Chapter Legislative Committee will discuss the 2025 KS state legislative session and the bills that were relevant to Planners, as well as the Federal Legislative Landscape, especially as it pertains to housing. We will discuss Legislative Committee events - past and upcoming – the committee’s legislative priorities and strategies, and legislative actions to watch in the upcoming 2026 session.

An interaction workshop where people get hands on methods to talk about how the world has shifted in 2025 and how to recalculate and head in the right direction for your community. The American Planning Association (APA) published its 2025 Trend Report for Planners, providing insights into the factors that are expected to influence our cities, counties, and regions. Every year presents new challenges and opportunities for local governments, and 2025 is no exception. Yet, as we are almost through the year, it’s clear the pace of change is outpacing even the boldest predictions, underscoring the urgent need for immediate action.

3 topics in 30 minutes:

• Equity by Design: Inclusive Planning for Communities & Disabilities
• Six Voices: One Beat
• KSU Students Present

A litte bit of everything planning. Three sessions blended together.

• Planning Under Pressure: Balancing Public Conflict with Professional Care
• How Long-Term Housing Demand is Being Addressed in Refugee Resettlement
• Zoned Out: land use policy and the unhoused in Des Moines, Iowa