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!

2026 Award Announcement!

Celebrating Outstanding Planning in Central California! This year we are celebrating 8 award winners! Congratulations to the following 2026 CenCal APA Awardees.

Opportunity and Empowerment Award:

Bakersfield Community Land Trust (BCLT), prepared by the City of Bakersfield and Self-Help Enterprises (Award of Excellence)

Resilience and Sustainability Award:

Hanford Connected, Kings-Tulare High-Speed Rail Station Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Plan, prepared by the City of Hanford and Perkins & Will (Award of Excellence)

Transportation Planning Award:

Merced Regional Multimodal Access Plan (MRMAP), prepared by the Merced County Association of Governments and VRPA Technologies (Award of Excellence)

Planning Excellence Award:

City of Selma Parks Master Plan, prepared by the City of Selma and QK Inc.(Award of Excellence)

Urban Design Award:

City of Exeter Parks Mater Plan, prepared by the City of Exeter and QK Inc.(Award of Excellence)

Planning Firm Award:

Precision Civil Engineering (Award of Excellence)

Advancing Diversity and Social Change Award:

County of Tulare Allensworth Community Plan Update, prepared by the Tulare County Resource Management Agency (Award of Excellence)