Planning program kicks off 60th anniversary celebration at State Planning Conference
Planning students, faculty, and alumni gathered together to celebrate 60 years of planning at the U of A during the 2024 APA Arizona State Planning Conference in Tucson.
More than 500 planners from across Arizona gathered in Tucson for the 2024 American Planning Association (APA) Arizona State Planning Conference, participating in workshops on topics ranging from emerging trends and housing challenges to affordability and parking policy.
This year’s conference, held at the Tucson Convention Center, saw more than 80 University of Arizona urban planning students, faculty, and alumni in attendance.
In addition to offering opportunities for professional development, the conference also marked the kickoff of the College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture’s (CAPLA) celebration of 60 years of planning education at the University of Arizona. CAPLA’s Master of Science in Urban Planning Program Chair and Associate Professor Arlie Adkins addressed attendees, acknowledging the milestone.
“Throughout its history, planning at the University of Arizona has been known by different names, housed in various colleges, and experienced its share of ups and downs,” Adkins said. “But 60 years after our first graduating class, I’m happy to report that we’re as strong as ever.”
Adkins highlighted new faculty hires, a growing focus on housing expertise, increased student enrollment, strong job placement, external funding and grants, and continued support from the professional planning community as evidence of the program's success.
Alumni in attendance ranged from Jim Mozocco ’80 to Tiara Stephen ‘24 and Drew Szentesy ‘24. Alumnae Sarah Meggison ‘14 and Lexy Wellott ‘16 served as co-chairs of the Desert Futures-themed annual conference, put on by the Arizona Chapter of the APA.
CAPLA’s celebration of 60 years of planning education at the University of Arizona will continue during the college’s homecoming celebration on Friday, October 18.
Information about the celebration and how to register can be found on the CAPLA Homecoming webpage: https://capla.arizona.edu/homecoming. Information and current news about the Planning program can be found at: https://planning.arizona.edu.
