FLORIDA PLANNING A publication of the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association
RURAL PLACES & GREEN SPACES - Fall 2024
florida.planning.org
FLORIDA'S
Floral & Fauna
Attracts New Residents By Lisa Shipley Planning in an ever-changing world is not easy, especially in Florida. With more than 1,200 people moving to the state every day, Florida has the second fastest growing population in the United States with four of the nation’s fastest growing metropolitan areas. Many of the people moving to Florida are drawn explicitly by the state’s pristine lands and waters. But the onslaught of new residents – and the resulting explosion of urban development – threatens to destroy those natural areas that have made the state such a population hotspot. Each year, Florida loses about 45,000 acres of rural land to development. If that trajectory continues, more than 2 million acres – 20 percent of Florida’s ranches, timberlands and farms – will disappear by 2070. continued on page 4
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
6
Farms Are the Heart of Rural Communities: Supporting Economic and Community Connections
8
Main Street: A Vital Artery to Rural Florida
11
Coastal Rural Towns The Delicate Balance of Expansion and Preservation
14
APA Florida Throwback
16
Travel with a Planners Eye
19
2024 FPC Conference Recap
29
Great Places in Florida 2024 Winner
31
APA Florida 2024 Election
OTHER FEATURES President’s Message - p. 3 Planners on the Move - p. 32 Executive Director Message - p. 34 Working for You - p. 35 Consultants Directory - p. 36 Events - back page
The Florida Chapter of APA provides statewide leadership in the development of sustainable communities by advocating excellence in planning, providing professional development for its members, and working to protect and enhance the natural and built environments.