Navigating Conflicting Discourses

Monday, April 3, 2023

8:30 AM – 10:00 AM CDT

Location: 122A

CM | 1.5

Division Endorsement: City Planning and Management Division, Women and Planning Division

Moderator and Speaker(s)

Kate Zanon, AICP (she/her/hers)

General Manager of Community Development
CIty of Port Moody
Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada

Speaker(s)

Katelynn Wintz, AICP (she/her/hers)

Planning Supervisor
City of Colorado Springs Plng Dept
Colorado Springs, CO
AE

Amy Elmore (she/her/hers)

Clearwater, Florida
Lara-Mae Bouck, AICP, PE (she/her/hers)

Chief Production Engineer
City of Tampa - Mobility Department
Tampa, Florida
Michelle Simmons (she/her/hers)

Senior Community Outreach Specialist
EXP US Services, Florida

Public and political discourse is affecting planners and the planning profession. In some instances, planners have come under personal attack, while in others the political environment has created uncertainty about how to guide development and growth. Both of these situations cause fatigue and dampen creativity. The personal effects of failing to address this environment can lead to burnout, mental health concerns, and job – and even professional – changes. Impacts on the profession can result in planning that checks boxes rather than provides solutions.

This presentation identifies various sources and impacts of negative discourse that affects planners. It offers a safe space for participants to share their experiences and uses morale-boosting techniques to create strong and connected teams. Presenters share methods and tools to help planners lead communities through negative discourse, re-focus on finding solutions to community challenges, and lead planning initiatives in an inclusive and equitable way.

NPC Peer Reviewers assigned this presentation a learning level of Advanced. For more on learning-level descriptions, visit our General Information Page.

Learning Objectives:

Discover tools and techniques to reinvigorate your work.
Rediscover your passion and the impact you want to have on planning in your community.
Navigate negativity and misperceptions about planners and the planning profession.