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Rejuvenating Planning by Engaging Youth

By David Driskell

Young people are not just our future; they are our present. Washington's youth represent over 20 percent of our state's population, yet we rarely hear their voices in local planning. The APA WA Chapter’s Youth in Planning (YIP) Task Force is working to change that. We believe that engaging young people in planning can help us:

  • Make better plans and better places that more accurately reflect the needs and priorities of all community members.
  • Build stronger communities where everyone can get involved and fresh perspectives are welcome.
  • Cultivate community care and leadership by teaching young people how they can be constructive agents of change, now and in the future, while teaching adults that young people have a lot to offer.
  • Inform young people about planning as a profession.

In short, the YIP Task Force believes that youth engagement can rejuvenate our planning in Washington State and help achieve our mission of “Creating Better Communities for All.” 

But we need your help. We want to know what would be most useful to you as Washington planners who want to interact with and involve young people in your planning work but might not know where to start. Your survey responses will help ensure we deliver what you need. Please respond to the Youth in Planning-related questions in the upcoming APA member survey. Your input matters!