Great Places
What is the South Carolina Great Places Program?
Great Places in America
The American Planning Association recognizes Great Places in America annually in three categories:
Great Neighborhoods, Great Public Spaces and Great Streets.
South Carolina is proud to say that APA has recognized six locations across the state as Great Places.
APA South Carolina Great Places in South Carolina Program
In 2020, APA South Carolina will begin our own Great Places program. We would like to acknowledge and celebrate your planning efforts through this program. APA South Carolina will begin accepting applications in the Fall of 2019 in three categories:
Great Neighborhoods, Great Public Spaces, and Great Streets.
This program will be biennial and opposite the APA South Carolina Planning Awards.
What is the Goal of this Program?
APA South Carolina wishes to recognize the hard work of planners across our state in making “great communities for all!”
This program will also raise awareness of planning and the planning profession to federal, state, and local policy makers.
Nominations: How can I apply?
Suggesting neighborhoods, streets or public spaces for a Great Places designation is easy. Just complete the online application and upload accompanying photos and documents. See additional details below!
What makes a Great Place?
Check out APA’s website for some suggestions, as well as the previous SC Winners listed below.
Review Process
All nominations will be reviewed by the Executive Committee, in the first year. Additional information may be requested, after initial nomination, prior to awarding.
Announcements & Recognition
Winners will be recognized at the APA South Carolina Winter Conference. Winners will be given a session at the conference to share their story and how they became a “Great Place”.
Assistance
Additionally, the winners will be offered assistance in nominating their place for the National APA award the same year; the nominations are due in April.
Timeline
The SC Great Places program has been developed to support not only our Chapter goals, but also to provide ample time for nominations to be submitted to the national program.
Event |
Channel |
Milestone |
| APA Great Places Deadline | APA Website |
April |
| APA Great Places Announced |
APA Website |
September |
| Planning Month |
Local Great Places Celebrations |
October |
| Call for SC Great Places nominations |
APA South Carolina website, APA South Carolina email announcement, Newsletter |
November/December |
| SC committee reviews nominations |
Internal review |
December/January |
| SC winners notified |
Email announcement |
January/February |
| SC winners announced |
Winter Conference |
March |
Need Inspiration?
Check Out Our APA National Winners
Beaufort, South Carolina
Beaufort Historic District – 2013 Great Neighborhood
Charleston, South Carolina
Broad Street – 2012 Great Street
King Street – 2014 Great Street
Waterfront Park – 2008 Great Public Space
Greenville, South Carolina
Main Street – 2009 Great Street
Greenwood, South Carolina
Uptown Greenwood – 2017 Great Neighborhood
The Application
Applications are being accepted through January 6, 2020. Click here to submit your nomination today!
Have additional questions about this program?
Contact Amy Southerland at southerlanda@charleston-sc.gov
