APA-PW Division Survey Results Summary

1. Your APA membership type:
  Response Percent Response Total
  Regular member
78.3% 54
  Planning Board member
  0% 0
  Student
15.9% 11
  Retired
1.4% 1
  Life
4.3% 3
  Don't Know
  0% 0
Total Respondents   69
(skipped this question)   1
2. How long have you been a member of the Division?
  Response Percent Response Total
  15-25 years
15.9% 11
  10-14 years
13% 9
  5-9 years
18.8% 13
  2-4 years
20.3% 14
  < 2 years
31.9% 22
Total Respondents   69
(skipped this question)   1
3. Is planning your primary job responsibility or study focus?
  Response Percent Response Total
  Yes
81.4% 57
  No
18.6% 13
Total Respondents   70
(skipped this question)   0
4. What is your primary area of planning practice?
  Response Percent Response Total
  Local planning agency
40.6% 28
  Regional planning agency
4.3% 3
  State government
  0% 0
  Federal government
  0% 0
  Private consulting
15.9% 11
  Non-profit organization
8.7% 6
  Academia
17.4% 12
  Other (please specify)
18.8% 13
Total Respondents   69
(skipped this question)   1
1. Field Policy & Management
2. Commissioner
3. Emergency Management
4. local government
5. County Planning
6. Industrial Development Agency
7. Nonprofit consulting
8. community organizing
9. Local Community Development agency
10. Real Estate development
11. corporate master planning
12. private
13. land use law

  
5. The mission of this division is to:
Essential Important Somewhat important No longer relevant No opinion Response Average
Address issues facing the planning and development of communities, cities, regions, states, and the nation related to the changing roles of women and men
50% (33) 44% (29) 6% (4) 0% (0) 0% (0) 1.56
Create a national network of planners, decision makers, and persons actively involved in organizations which are concerned about similar issues
39% (26) 50% (33) 8% (5) 3% (2) 0% (0) 1.74
Promote professional growth of persons interested in these issues and improve the level of competence in planning for women
62% (41) 32% (21) 5% (3) 2% (1) 0% (0) 1.45
Advance technical knowledge and improve techniques for dealing with these issues
27% (18) 59% (39) 11% (7) 3% (2) 0% (0) 1.89
Promote the analysis and examination of these issues at every level of government and in colleges and universities.
38% (25) 38% (25) 20% (13) 3% (2) 0% (0) 1.88
Total Respondents   66
(skipped this question)   4
6. Please add any suggestions or comments about the mission statement:
 Total Respondents  
12
(skipped this question)   58
1. I think continually improving women's competencies in planning, identifying and promoting niches, advocating for pay equity, and mentoring future women planners are work activities that the Division should maintain. Perhaps we need to revisit our mission statement?

2. I'd like the Division to acknowledge that many of the theories and practices in planning have previously been overwhelmingly shaped by men and that it is important that women's voices, opinions, theories and practices receive full advancement. Hmmmm, it's 2005 and the thought is that women still can't do math.

3. I think it is important for the Division to focus on providing Planning Departments practical ways that planners can address the changing roles of women and men.

4. The statement of purpose is very issue driven. Would that mean if all issues could be resolved we would not need a division anymore? Finding friends, networking, recognizing accomplishment and sharing are important too.

5. add "....to create sustainable patterns of living."

6. every item falls under/winthin the first statement

7. The mission statement is too long -- it should be succinct. While I checked most of the items as essential or important, I think they could be combined. Here's what caught my eye from each piece: changing roles of women and men; a national network of planners; promote analysis and examination of issues (throughout communities).

8. There are two areas that I suggest the Planning and Women Division's mission evolve: 1) include a stronger emphasis on the cultural disparities of gender and class, which are more static than "related to the changing roles of women and men." not necessarily only by practitioners. 2) emphasize truly diverse competencies rather than only "technical knowledge" and critique professional/administrative competencies (e.g., foster community service models).

9. I believe there are planning/design issues specific to women (and children) that are not usually addressed by traditional planning methods. For example, the growing number of women without partners who are rearing children alone... what special design elements would be beneficial to them?

10. It's a good mission statement and I think it is accrurate in terms of what members want.

11. How to effect policy changes. Working at a desk is not going to make a difference. Research and documentation is important, but decisions are made through the political process. The division should encourage discussion of ways to become more effective politically.

12. Address planning issues which affect women significantly, e.g. housing, transportation, job training, homelessness, child care, etc.
  
7. Do you receive the newsletter?
  Response Percent Response Total
  Yes
68.8% 44
  No
31.2% 20
Total Respondents   64
(skipped this question)   6
8. How often do you read it?
  Response Percent Response Total
  Every issue
51.1% 23
  Occasionally
48.9% 22
Total Respondents   45
(skipped this question)   25
9. Which feature(s) do you find most helpful? (Check all that apply.)
  Response Percent Response Total
  Articles
79.1% 34
  From the Chair
41.9% 18
  Rants
20.9% 9
  APA National Planning Conference Education
23.3% 10
  Awards
11.6% 5
  Women's Networking Series
44.2% 19
  From the Editors
23.3% 10
  Calendar
34.9% 15
  Nothing
9.3% 4
  Other (please specify)
2.3% 1
Total Respondents   43
(skipped this question)   27
1. I just upgraded computers, and can now log on to the issues. Never saw it prior to this.
  
10. What subject(s) would you like to see addressed (check all that apply)?
  Response Percent Response Total
  PWD business / news / issues
53.6% 30
  General APA news that affects our division members
58.9% 33
  Articles about conference sessions
39.3% 22
  Articles on innovative technologies, programs, agencies
66.1% 37
  Case studies
64.3% 36
  Planning opinions (soapbox articles)
39.3% 22
  Articles on planning education
32.1% 18
  Articles related to planning certification and education
30.4% 17
  Professional profiles, i.e., meet a prominent female member of the planning field
69.6% 39
  Acknowledgement of new members in the division
30.4% 17
  Scholarly articles
26.8% 15
  Other (please specify)
8.9% 5
Total Respondents   56
(skipped this question)   14
1. Acknowledge women planners who have retired and those who have died.
2. job listings
3. job offerings
4. Lets hear how the self-employed are doing
5. women planning consultants (me)
  
11. Do you distribute / forward the electronic PWD newsletter to your colleagues who are not PWD members?
  Response Percent Response Total
  Always
2% 1
  Sometimes
32.7% 16
  Never
65.3% 32
Total Respondents   49
(skipped this question)   21
12. Which planning issues are of interest to you (check all that apply)?
  Response Percent Response Total
  Status of women within the planning profession
84.4% 54
  Availability of daycare
25% 16
  Pay equity
75% 48
  Integrating feminist theory in planning classes
28.1% 18
  Transportation needs of women
48.4% 31
  Other (please specify)
28.1% 18
Total Respondents   64
(skipped this question)   6
1. Housing needs of women; single women without children; negative attitudes towards single mothers not held towards single fathers
2. This question should be worded differently: "Which of these women-oriented planning issues..." or something like that. This is otherwise a very limited list, of course.
3. Affordable Housing
4. Explore New niches for women in planning
5. telecommuting and non-traditional work schedule options
6. affordable housing
7. overall attitudes of acceptance of women in this area
8. borader issues of community & design
9. Planning Safe Environments
10. housing and gender
11. Highlighting successful women in the planning/zoning field.
12. housing, historic preservation
13. sustainability/climate change
14. housing & jobs/job training needs of women, particularly female haded households with minor kids
15. Making use of grassroots and community-based wisdom
16. safety and security for employment and cultural and recreational activities
17. Housing needs of women & children
18. Planning for the various needs and roles of women in the community.
  
13. If the division could focus on only one policy issue in the next year, which one would you choose?
  Response Percent Response Total
  Status of women within the planning profession
48.3% 29
  Availability of daycare
  0% 0
  Pay equity
16.7% 10
  Integrating feminist theory in planning classes
8.3% 5
  Transportation needs of women
13.3% 8
  Division should not focus on any policy issues
1.7% 1
  Other (please specify)
13.3% 8
Total Respondents   60
(skipped this question)   10
1. Affordable Housing
2. advancing telecommuting and non-traditional work schedules to reduce demand on public services and foster home based offices
3. future trends
4. Say how we can compete as professionals
5. nexus of transportation, jobs, housing needs of women
6. Making use of grassroots and community-based wisdom for planning
7. Can't choose - all important
8. Housing & Women
  
14. How frequently do you visit the division website?
  Response Percent Response Total
  Daily
1.6% 1
  Weekly
3.1% 2
  Monthly
18.8% 12
  Occasionally
43.8% 28
  Never
32.8% 21
Total Respondents   64
(skipped this question)   6
15. What section(s) or information do you find most helpful or interesting (check all that apply)?
  Response Percent Response Total
  Division information
65% 26
  Newsletters
47.5% 19
  Book reviews and publications
20% 8
  FAICP nomination
15% 6
  APA conferences
37.5% 15
  ACSP conferences
2.5% 1
  AESOP 2003 conference
  0% 0
  Listserv
12.5% 5
  Awards
15% 6
  Links
35% 14
  Research papers
27.5% 11
Total Respondents   40
(skipped this question)   30
16. How would you rate the overall value of the division website?
  Response Percent Response Total
  Very valuable
12% 6
  Valuable
30% 15
  Somewhat valuable
40% 20
  Of little value
4% 2
  Of no value
  0% 0
  Have never visited the site
14% 7
Total Respondents   50
(skipped this question)   20
17. How up-to-date is the information on the website?
  Response Percent Response Total
  Right on
9.8% 5
  Close
19.6% 10
  Not so close
11.8% 6
  Out of date
5.9% 3
  No opinion
52.9% 27
Total Respondents   51
(skipped this question)   19
18. What other information, topics, resources, etc. would you like added to the website? (Please list.)
 Total Respondents  
12
(skipped this question)   58
1. Promoting telecommuting / ecommuting and non-traditional work schedules to help allevaiate issues with rush hour traffic, stress, etc. and promote home based office opportunities

2. more articles relating to women integrating into this field, links...

3. Links to innovations in sustainability, design for the individual, sense of community.

4. I have not visited the Division website, but now I will!

5. Opportunities for mentoring

6. Our integration with engineers, school districts and the hospital and health staff

7. Information about the APA conference with respect to the PWD events.

8. grant information for community development

9. Job information, which may not be posted on the APA website.

10. I'm a "returning" member of the division... never received good communication prior to last few months. I'm interested in women in private practice (when I lost my job to change in administration -- politics -- I soon found that public employers weren't too keen on hiring a 61 year old fat female planner. Too bad for them. So I started my own business, which I hope will be successful within a year or so. Perhaps other women feel pushed out by age, and must face becoming entrepreneuers in a very competitive market. AND, I promise to look at all the back issues and get myself caught up with the division.

11. Rather than long reports - executive summaries - with links to original document. Site needs to be organized with the general member in mind - not only the academic. Resources, calendar, etc. New members may not be familiar with some of the topics/activities discussed here and in other member communications. A few sentences (or link to a website or description) to provide some background would go a long way to make new members feel like they belong.

12. Seminars and the dates and locations
  
19. On what topic(s) would you like to see PWD sponsor sessions?
  Response Percent Response Total
  Housing alternatives
41.9% 26
  GIS info on daycare, housing, transportation needs
24.2% 15
  Planning tools
40.3% 25
  Public policy affecting women
72.6% 45
  Leadership
62.9% 39
  Career aspirations
40.3% 25
  Moving into management
45.2% 28
  Other (please specify)
6.5% 4
Total Respondents   62
(skipped this question)   8
1. Older women planners facing on-going problems based on past discrimination
2. international trends
3. community design that honors the family
4. Emergency Management
  
20. How often do you attend the APA National Conference?
  Response Percent Response Total
  Every year
12.9% 8
  Almost every year
21% 13
  Once every few years
14.5% 9
  Once in the last five years
11.3% 7
  Rarely
22.6% 14
  Never
17.7% 11
Total Respondents   62
(skipped this question)   8
21. Which conference features do you find valuable (check all that apply)?
  Response Percent Response Total
  Educational sessions
80.9% 38
  Student activities
4.3% 2
  AICP professional development workshop sessions
25.5% 12
  Mobile workshops
51.1% 24
  Networking
66% 31
  Division meetings
29.8% 14
  Exhibition
21.3% 10
  Career services
14.9% 7
  Other (please specify)
4.3% 2
Total Respondents   47
(skipped this question)   23
1. This will be my first year.
2. APA Chapter get togethers
  
22. If you do not attend the APA Conference every year, what is the reason?
  Response Percent Response Total
  Employer does not fund attendance for my position
56.9% 29
  Conference topics of no interest
3.9% 2
  Location of conference
27.5% 14
  Not encouraged to do so
5.9% 3
  Other (please specify)
47.1% 24
Total Respondents   51
(skipped this question)   19
1. High costs.
2. I'm still a student.
3. work and funding
4. student, not necessary at this point
5. Student and Can't affford to go
6. Limited City funding resources for sending staff to out of state conferences
7. scheduling issues
8. expense
9. There is little instructive information presented at the conference for those working in NYC: for many issues i look internationally and a few major American cities
10. Spent my budget on other conferences
11. self-employed and can't afford it - money & timewise
12. too expensive
13. too expensive for me this year. If my business is successful, I'll plan on it every year.
14. Not allowed by dept director
15. small children
16. Cannot get the time off since the boss attends the conference (staff cannot go, too)
17. schedule conflicts
18. Timing
19. Too new to group to attend
20. student--funding
21. Attend other conferences
22. Too expensive.
23. attend other professional conferences
24. switch attending with co-worker
  
23. Please indicate which possible division activities interest you.
  Response Percent Response Total
  Chair a committee or task force
  0% 0
  Edit a division newsletter
15.6% 5
  Contribute to the newsletter
50% 16
  Identify resources for the division website
28.1% 9
  Coordinate national planning conference session proposals
9.4% 3
  Review and update division bylaws
12.5% 4
  Help the division grow
53.1% 17
  Coordinate award submissions
9.4% 3
Total Respondents   32
(skipped this question)   38
24. If you would like a division member to contact you about volunteer opportunities, please enter your name and email or phone number here.
 Total Respondents  
17
(skipped this question)   53
25. Please enter any suggestion or comments about the division, its activities, or programs here. Provide your name and email address at the end of your message if you wish to receive a response.
 Total Respondents  
8
(skipped this question)   62

1. I share Division info with women in my office. I'm glad to see so many more women in city planning than there were at the start of my career. My problem, however, is that some of the newer women planners have little tolerance or acceptance of the negative experiences some of us older planners had at the beginnings of our careers.

2. I volunteered to be a Teller with the last election and was never contacted regarding the opportunity.

3. No comments at this time. I have only briefly had the chance to view this division.

4. I think it is important for the Division to appeal to quality of life issues, especially through design. Women understand safety through design, the importance of neighborhood schools where our kids can get there safely under their own power, the asset of ancillary housing for our parents and returning children after college and the freedom that gives them, the importance of a full community with uses that one can walk to, the relevance of environmental preservation and open spaces that we can get to on foot for an interaction with nature and reprive from stress, the freedom of transit and design that supports transit, the aeasthetics of design and how building placements and arrangement contribute to our well-being and sustainability of our neighborhoods. I think this survey is an excellent venue for outreach to our busy members.

5. The division is very helpful, especially to new planners. I found the networking and sessions to be very important. I only regret that I can no longer be very active because of job responsibilities and the inability to attend the APA Conferences.

6. I would like to inquire if the Division enters into the political debate concerning women's health care issues, specifically reproductive freedoms. I am concerned the federal policy may become increasing restrictive. I am also concerned about the proposed changes to Social Security. Since the system was first designed by a woman, Frances Perkins, I urge the division to make this known among the planning community and enter into the debate concerning the future. It is a system intended to benefit everyone.

7. In the past (several years ago) I attempted to submit my masters thesis to the division for publication (in summary of course)of an article. The topic, original research, was perceptions of danger, fear, and violence on the UNM campus. The results were eye-popping, helped motivate many changes in campus security procedures, etc.... not just for students, but also for staff and faculty. Fear as social control, male domination by ignoring issue. Anyway, I got a cold, no response. That's okay. I want to help the division become a 'player' in women's policy issues within the realm of planning. If the division is only going to be academic faculty oriented/job wage scale oriented, then I think it's missing a huge opportunity to reach out to a lot of us who work in non-academic fields, or who have our own businesses. Thanks for asking.

8. The newsletter articles are too long. An executive summary would be helpful at the beginning of each.