Who?

Primarily for urban and regional planners who identify as Asian, Asian American, or Pacific Islander but open to all backgrounds, races, and ethnicities.

Why?

This space is sorely needed to allow Asian and AAPI planners to meet and foster a diverse community of backgrounds, cultures, and view points that all encompass what defines being Asian and Asian American in the planning profession. This community is dispersed across the U.S. and beyond. What unites this community is our profession and interest in planning, design, data, and resources to support the communities we live in with a potential focus on Asian communities in the U.S. A mix of digital and physical meeting spaces and events can build up this community and initiate a shared effort in supporting communities that represent our ethnic and cultural heritage.

Where?

Via a website and digital/physical spaces for networking, seminars, discussions, collaborative efforts, etc.

What and How?

The AAPI Planners Forum can be a place for Asian and AAPI planners to gather and potentially

1. share the AAPI planners experience with each other and support each others’ professional development by

   1. hosting table gatherings to share our stories and planning journeys

   2. creating a central digital space to promote our backgrounds, skills, focus areas, and professional experience

   3. organizing networking events

   4. facilitating a mentor/mentee program

   5. creating and promoting member spotlights

2. discuss topics/issues relating to our profession by

   1. hosting forums around specific topics or issues

   2. hearing directly from members serving in areas relating to specific topics/issues to be discussed

   3. facilitating reading/documentary groups/events

3. collaborate with each other on topics and issues relating to Asian communities in the U.S. and beyond by

   1. organizing collaborative projects around specific communities and/or topics

   2. creating data and/or resources that these communities can access and use

4. share data and resources that will help communities by

   1. creating a hub where members can add and access various data and/or resources

5. broaden the conversation by inviting and hearing from a diverse range of voices inside and outside of the AAPI community by

   1. encouraging non-Asian members to join and be part of the conversation

   2. hosting seminars and talks that will feature voices from within and outside of the AAPI planners community

Potential Initiatives. What areas might interest you?

1. Professional development

   1. Networking events

   2. Professional wall

   3. Spotlights

   4. Mentor program

   5. Next generation of AAPI planners - college student groups

2. Advancing Asian/AAPI conversations

   1. Table gatherings

   2. Forums

   3. Speaker/seminar events

3. Supporting Asian communities

   1. Collaboration projects

   2. Data/resource hub

What happens next?

That’s a great question! Reach out to discuss and advance this framework. This is not the final product but a working version that will evolve as more perspectives are added. Sign up below to stay up-to-date and be part of the effort.