Great Places in Mississippi
About Great Places
The American Planning Association started recognizing Great Places in America in 2007. Mississippi currently has two national Great Places that have been recognized by APA: the Historic Hattiesburg Neighborhood in Hattiesburg, MS and the Greater Belhaven neighborhood in Jackson, MS.
The Mississippi Chapter of the American Planning Association started the Great Places in Mississippi program in 2019 to recognize the great neighborhoods, streets, and public spaces that are found in communities across the state.
The Great Places in Mississippi program is intended to recognize communities that are committed to planning for and creating great places and to raise awareness of our chapter’s advocacy efforts.
A Great Place in your community demonstrates the importance of planning, provides an opportunity for promotion and tourism, and illustrates how local policies and projects strengthen our communities.
Does your community have a neighborhood, street, or public space worth celebrating? If so, keep reading!
MAKE A NOMINATION
Nominating a Great Place in Mississippi is simple. First, check to see if the location you’re nominating is already a Great Place.
Next, get to know what characteristics make your great place stand out by clicking one or more of the following links:
Great Neighborhoods, Great Streets, and Great Public Spaces come in many forms, but they all have characteristics that are grounded in good planning practices.
Once you’re ready to nominate a Great Place in Mississippi, click the button below to access the nomination form. Nominations will be accepted until Wednesday, August 16th, 2023.
Review Process
APA Mississippi reviews all nominations. For those that are received — and in APA Mississippi’s opinion merit further study — we may request additional information.
Nominations of interest are considered for designation by APA Mississippi’s Great Places Taskforce, a member-led team committed to sharing the value of planning through stories statewide.
Communities with designations will be notified by APA Mississippi in September. Great Places in Mississippi are announced at APA Mississippi’s annual Fall Conference in October and celebrated throughout National Community Planning Month in October.
In addition, statewide winners may be considered by APA Mississippi for nomination to the national Great Places in America program.
Questions?
If you have questions or need guidance during the nomination process, please contact Great Places Taskforce Chairperson Ginger Lowrey, AICP.