The Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA Virginia) has recognized Danville with three statewide planning awards for their outstanding work on PLAN Danville, the City’s recently adopted comprehensive plan.
Danville was honored with:
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Virginia Plan of the Year Award – Population Under 100,000
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Breaking Barriers in Planning Award – Inclusion
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Sustainable Virginia Award – Resilient Community of the Year
“PLAN Danville sets a new standard for what planning in Virginia can be—equitable, data-driven, and community-led,” said Meg Rupkey on behalf of the Awards Committee. “Danville’s approach to comprehensive planning demonstrates how cities can directly respond to community needs while preparing for a more resilient and inclusive future.” PLAN Danville has also gained nationwide attention, winning the Community Award at the American Planning Association’s (APA) Awards for Excellence in Sustainability that was presented at the APA’s National Planning Conference in Denver.
An Inclusive and Transparent Planning Process
PLAN Danville engaged over 13,000 residents using a combination of digital campaigns, in-person pop-ups, and direct outreach. Six local community ambassadors were hired to serve as trusted messengers—staffing a downtown storefront, attending neighborhood events, and meeting people where they were. Special attention was given to engaging underrepresented communities that had been excluded from past planning efforts.
The team prioritized accessibility by using visuals, plain language, and video content to engage residents of all literacy levels and abilities.
Data-Driven and Built for Action
PLAN Danville was grounded in rigorous data, including custom GIS analysis to assess flood risk, neighborhood health indicators, and infrastructure access. This analysis shaped a bold but practical vision for the city’s future. The plan also introduced a new capital improvement scorecard — allowing City departments to evaluate proposed projects based on equity, health, and resilience criteria. Implementation of PLAN Danville began before the plan was even adopted, including updates to the zoning ordinance and construction on public park enhancements.
A Blueprint for Resilience in Virginia
Danville’s recognition with the Sustainable Virginia Award highlights the city’s long-term commitment to addressing climate and infrastructure risks through responsible planning. PLAN Danville identified opportunities to create Resilient Hubs, improve connectivity, and invest in the neighborhoods most vulnerable to environmental and economic shocks.
“As an emerging leader in planning, I’m inspired by how Danville blended community input, technical analysis, and a sense of urgency,” said Cicero. “Their work is a model for cities across the Commonwealth.”
Learn more about PLAN Danville at https://plandanville.org.
The planning awards will be presented at the Chapter’s Annual Conference on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 12:00 PM at the Renaissance Portsmouth-Norfolk Waterfront Hotel in Portsmouth. To view and learn about other 2025 APA Virginia award winners, please click here.