The Oregon American Planning Association (OAPA) annual conference kicked off Thursday, October 17, with a day of engaging discussions and community-building events. As proud sponsors, Winterbrook Planning was excited to participate in the annual conference, where attendees began their morning with registration and the chance to explore exhibits while connecting with peers. Early risers joined the OAPA Book Club discussion on Dream Play Build, focusing on creating safer, more prosperous communities through innovative public engagement.

The conference included professional development opportunities, such as the “Meet a Fellow” session, where participants learned about becoming a Fellow in the American Institute of Certified Planners (FAICP).

The morning featured concurrent sessions addressing important planning issues. “Place-based Equity: Preserving Culture, Preventing Displacement” tackled equitable development, while the “Blazing Trails” session focused on integrating wildfire and hazard mitigation plans to enhance community resilience. “Plan for Telecom” emphasized the importance of broadband access in fostering vibrant communities. Additionally, planners explored the intersection of AI with ethics and planning in a session reviewing the AICP Code of Ethics.

As the day continued, attendees engaged in hands-on discussions, including the “Willamette Cove Nature Park” session, which examined trauma-informed engagement and design for this former industrial property. Other sessions addressed walking and biking infrastructure, inclusionary housing in Portland, and strategies for landing planning jobs.

Keynote Lunch

During the keynote lunch, Dream Play Build authors James Rojas and John Kamp captivated the audience with insights on transforming community engagement beyond traditional formats.

Hands-on model building workshop

The day concluded with a networking reception and an evening social event in Portland’s historic Hawthorne neighborhood.

Stay tuned to hear more about the next day of the conference!