Great Places Nomination Form

Great Places in Pennsylvania 2024 Nomination Form

Submit your nomination by Friday, May 17, 2024, to be considered for designation in 2024. The Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association is looking for Great Places in two categories: Great Public Spaces and Great Transformations.

We want to hear your suggestions for a Great Public Space or Great Transformations designation. Nominations will be considered by the Great Places in Pennsylvania Judges Committee with notification to applicants in the summer.

  • (i.e. street/city/state/zip code, municipality, and county)
  • Accepted file types: pdf, jpg, Max. file size: 128 MB.
  • Accepted file types: pdf, jpg, Max. file size: 128 MB.

  • Please respond to the questions below to describe why the nominated Public Space or Transformation is worthy of a Great Places in Pennsylvania Designation.

  • Public Space: Briefly describe the setting of the Public Space (urban, suburban, neighborhood, village, rural).

    Transformation: Briefly summarize what makes the submitted project a “Great Transformation.” What was it before? What is it now? What is the most important issue that needed addressed? (Please share before and after photos)

    Please be specific and use Category Criteria for guidance. (Maximum 100 words)

    Criteria

  • Public Space: Describe how the Public Space is designed to contribute to the livable built environment (reflects the community’s character/personality, interesting visual experience, design/architecture is fitting).

    Transformation: Describe the process used to develop the vision and designs for the Transformation project.

    Please be specific and use Category Criteria for guidance. (Maximum 100 words)

    Criteria

  • Public Space: Describe the unique qualities, traits, and characteristics that make the Public Space special, extraordinary, and/or memorable and set it apart from other public spaces.

    Transformation: Describe any community support that existed for creating and/or enhancing the Transformation project. What resources did the community invest in the effort? Provide examples.

    Please be specific and use Category Criteria for guidance. (Maximum 100 words)

    Criteria

  • Public Space: Describe how the Public Space promotes and accomplishes social interaction and community engagement, as well as fosters a sense of community (address array of users).

    Transformation: Describe how the Transformation project enhances the community. For example, does it provide housing? Does it deliver community services? Does it generate economic development? Is it a community gathering place? Provide examples.

    Please be specific and use Category Criteria for guidance. (Maximum 100 words)

    Criteria

  • Public Space: Describe how the Public Space contributes to the economy of the community. If possible, quantify the impact (# of visitors, types and number of events/ activities).

    Transformation: Describe the visual character of the Transformation project. What physical features, such as building scale, design, architecture, parking design, environmental design, and pubic art, contribute to its character? How does it fit and connect with the surrounding neighborhoods?

    Please be specific and use Category Criteria for guidance. (Maximum 100 words)

    Criteria

  • Public Space: Describe the extent to which planners, partnerships, planning, and community involvement have played a role in the development and sustainability of the Public Space.

    Transformation: Describe the extent to which planners, partnerships, planning, and public engagement have played a role in the development and sustainability of the Transformation. Did the project create community synergy?

    Please be specific and use Category Criteria for guidance. (Maximum 100 words)

    Criteria

  • A minimum of four photos is required; up to six are permitted; individual photo size cannot exceed 5 MB. Photos must demonstrate the qualities, characteristics, and social (people) interactions highlighted in the narrative. For transformations, include before and after pictures.

    Drop files here or
    Accepted file types: pdf, jpg, png, Max. file size: 128 MB, Max. files: 5.
    • Additional supporting material (such as a newspaper article or video) should be directly related to the nominated place and relevant criteria, must be in a single pdf file, and cannot exceed 15 MB. Videos related to the nominated place and relevant criteria are also acceptable. The video must be less than 5 minutes in length, be uploaded to a website (such as YouTube), and have a specific website link. If submitting a video, provide the website link below.
      Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 128 MB.
    • I am submitting a video, the website link is entered below.
    • Applicants shall permit APA PA the use of all materials submitted in support of a nomination for purposes related to the Great Places in Pennsylvania program, including use on promotional materials.
    • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
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