The objective of the International Planning Tours is to create a dialogue between American Urban Planners and their counterparts in other countries through travel. The tours aim to blend analytical view of local urban planning issues and dialogue with visiting and experiencing the cultural and tourist highlights of the host country.
Internship Opportunities
The International Committee is coordinating with HCP Project Design and Management to provide internship opportunities for young and emerging urban planning professionals in Ahmedabad, India. Click here for info.
Urban Planning Tour of India
A group of eighteen Urban Planners traveled to India in October 2009 on a twenty day tour through the Country, combining meetings and discussions with local Planners and Architects in concert with a sampling of the cultural highlights of the Country. The tour began in Delhi and ended in Mumbai, including stops in Chandigargh, Jaipur, Udaipur, and Ahmedabad. Meetings with local professional spanned a wide variety of backgrounds and topics, including meetings with those in academia, private consulting, public agencies, planning associations, and real estate development.
Discussion topics and case examples included the Delhi General Plan, Delhi Metro, Delhi Old Town revitalization / redevelopment, the history and longevity of Le Courbusier’s Master Plan for Chandigargh, Green building and local craftsmanship in Ahmedabad, and slum redevelopment in Mumbai. Other highlights included escorting the former Chief Architect of Chandigarh from Delhi to Chandigarh for a reunion with former students and becoming the centerpiece of a media blitz while riding the new bus rapid transit system in Ahmedabad. Cultural highlights included visits to the Taj Majal and spectacular forts in Rajasthan, relaxing in the white city of Udaipur, and shopping in the co
lorful markets in each city.
The following is a link to a blog written by Steve Ross, who attended the tour.
http://norcalapaindiatour.blogspot.com/
Northern News Article on the India Tour, also by Barry Miller
http://www.norcalapa.org/assets/chapter/newsletter/Dec_Jan10.pdf
 Jodhpur Group Photo
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Meeting in Chandigarh |
Meeting in Delhi |
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 Ahmedabad Old Town |
We've even made it into the local media:
US team in city to study BRTS progress
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/US-team-in-city-to-study-BRTS-progress/articleshow/5213496.cms
Thumbs up to BRTS!
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Thumbs-up-to BRTS/articleshow/5210470.cms
Urban Planning Tour of China
In May and June of 2007, two groups of nineteen urban planners completed a comprehensive urban planning tour of China. Lasting seventeen (17) days, the tour began in Hong Kong and included stops in the cities Guilin / Yangshuo, Shanghai, Suzhou, Nanjing, and Xi An, before ending in Beijing. Attendees met with local urban planning consultants, architects, and government officials to discuss urbanism trends, urban planning issues, exchanging ideas on approaches to urban planning problems. Tourism highlights included biking through the countryside of Yangshuo, eating through the night markets of Suzhou, visiting the Muslim quarter of Xi An, and climbing the Great Wall outside Beijing.
Group in Tianamen Square
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Group in Shanghai |
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Group with Nanjing Planners |
The following is a link to a blog written by Barry Miller, who attended the tour.
http://barrymiller.blogspot.com/
Northern News Article on the China Tour, also by Barry Miller
http://www.norcalapa.org/assets/chapter/newsletter/August07.pdf
Rob, Eileen, and Hing
-Rob Eastwood,
International Director
rob.eastwood@pln.co.santa-clara.ca.us
Northern Section, California Chapter, American Planning Association
