Maryland Planning Commissioners Annual Conference

... being held today and tomorrow, is yet another example of a program (click here for the draft program) that could and should occur in DC. Many states have similar kinds of capacity building programs, including the Massachusetts Citizen Planner Training Collaborative.

I have argued that most of DC's Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, all of which whom have the responsibility, right, and authority to "weigh in" on planning and development matters within their geographies, need to vastly increase their capacity and knowledge in order to make better/good decisions.

(Also Dallas has the great Urban Information Center at the main branch of the Public Library. There is the Planning Commissioners Journal and many online resources including the Neighborhood Planning, Our Blocks, and the Useful Community Development websites, among others.)

Having such an annual conference for ANC Commissioners and members of the respective planning and zoning committees would build the capacity and knowledge of members, provide the ability to share and build information networks across the city, irrespective of specific geographies, and provide social and other networking opportunities.