Urban gems with personality that exemplify planning excellence Defining a "great place" suggests a hazy, "know-it-when-you-see-it" approach to categorization. But when it comes to urban planning and community building, there are a few characteristics?walkability, mixed-use buildings, public engagement, green space, community involvement, and cultural capital?that make it easier to identify streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces of note.
To kickoff Community Planning Month, the American Planning Association released their annual list of Great Places in America, celebrating different parts of the urban landscape that offer exemplary spaces for the community. In addition to this year?s notable places, selected from thousands of submissions by a committee of professional planners, a "People?s Choice" designee will be nominated based on public comments on APA?s Facebook page, Twitter or Instagram feed using hashtag #APAgreatplaces. 2016 Great Neighborhoods

Lisandro Orozco

Downtown Santa Ana (Santa Ana, California)
A rare bit of downtown density in a sea of suburban tract housing, downtown Santa Ana is on the National Register of Historic Places due to its well-preserved building stock, including 99 historic structures that date from 1870 to the post-earthquake reconstructions of 1934. The fourth densest city, it?s home artists, entrepreneurs, and creatives, and has been actively working to protect and redevelop its hi...