Central Section Planning Awards

The purpose of the APA California Central Section Awards Program is to encourage quality in planning and increase the public’s awareness of the planning profession through recognizing outstanding achievement in the planning field. Each year, the Section looks forward to honoring the most outstanding efforts in planning. The program honors innovative plans and projects, distinguished APA members, and lay contributors to planning and achievements of the Central Section. The geographic Central Section region is comprised of Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Stanislaus, Tulare, and Tuolumne Counties.

We are always looking for outstanding planning projects, activities and individuals for the APACA Central Section Planning Awards. Is there a planning project that you believe deserves recognition? An individual or group that you believe deserves an Achievement Award for Excellence in Planning? A media article or program (newspaper, radio, TV, etc.) that demonstrates Excellence in Planning? Celebrate it now by applying for a Central Section Planning Award!

The Central Section of the American Planning Association, California Chapter, is pleased to announce the

2025 CenCal APA Award Winners!

A hearty congratulations to the following 2025 CenCal APA Award winners!

Opportunity and Empowerment Award (Implementation)
- Award of Excellence: County of Tulare – SB2 Implementation, prepared by the County of Tulare
Comprehensive Plan Award
- Award of Excellence: City of Tulare Downtown Master Plan, prepared by the City of Tulare and MIG
- Award of Merit: City of Patterson Downtown Master Plan, prepared by the City of Patterson and RRM Design Group
Implementation Award
- Award of Excellence: City of Fresno Parks Master Plan + Measure P: Transforming Parks and Communities, prepared by the City of Fresno PARCS and WRT
Resilience and Sustainability Award
- Award of Excellence: The City of Porterville’s South of Tule River (SoTu) Master Plan, prepared by the City of Porterville and Precision Civil Engineering
Transportation Planning Award
- Award of Excellence: City of Bakersfield Active Transportation Plan, prepared by the City of Bakersfield and Kimley Horn
Planning Excellence Award
- Award of Excellence: City of Fresno’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and Small Homes Program, prepared by the City of Fresno Planning and Development Department
- Award of Merit: City of Reedley Comprehensive update of its Zoning Code, Subdivision Ordinance, and Zoning Map, prepared by the City of Reedley and Mintier Harnish
Urban Design Award
- Award of Excellence: City of Clovis – Loma Vista Village Green, prepared by the City of Clovis and Kroll and Associates
Academic Award
- Award of Excellence: UCLA Study “Further Implications of Freeway Siting in California: Freeway Development and Communities of Color in Colton, Fresno, and San Diego,” prepared by the UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies
Communications Initiative and Outreach Award
- Award of Excellence: City of Fresno Tower District Specific Plan Update, prepared by the City of Fresno Planning and Development Department
- Award of Merit: City of Visalia 6th Cycle Housing Element and General Plan Update, including a new Environmental Justice Element, prepared by the City of Visalia and Mintier Harnish
Planning Project Award – Central Section
- Award of Excellence: City of Selma Downtown Strategic Plan, prepared by the City of Selma and Raimi + Associates
Focused Issue Planning Award – Central Section
- Award of Excellence: San Joaquin Valley Small Lot Planning Study, prepared by the Fresno Council of Governments and Mintier Harnish, in association with the Natelson Group, through the San Joaquin Valley Regional Early Action