Northern debuts URBAN CO[LAB]

In urban planning, fostering connections and collaborations across disciplines is essential. Recognizing this, APA California Northern is excited to introduce URBAN CO[LAB], a distinctive event format designed to create a ‘laboratory’ for planning professionals to engage in rich, interdisciplinary conversations with peers from allied and adjacent fields.

URBAN CO[LAB] was inspired by the desire to break away from traditional networking event structures and create a dynamic space where innovative ideas can flourish, and planners can learn from those outside of our immediate professional circles. Unlike some networking events that offer opportunities to fortify existing relationships and discuss familiar and comfortable topics with our peers, URBAN CO[LAB] emphasizes creating an environment where new relationships are built, and challenging topics are welcomed. The goal is to spark new ideas, cultivate partnerships, and drive forward-thinking solutions to the complex challenges faced by today’s urban planners.

URBAN CO[LAB]’s structure is crafted to facilitate interdisciplinary engagement. Events are built around five key elements:
Hypothesis: Every URBAN CO[LAB] event begins with a central theme and a set of core questions. These provide the foundation for discussions and activities, ensuring that the event remains focused and impactful.

1. Hypothesis: Every URBAN CO[LAB] event begins with a central theme and a set of core questions. These provide the foundation for discussions and activities, ensuring that the event remains focused and impactful.
2. Laboratory: The choice of venue is critical to the success of URBAN CO[LAB]. Events are held in distinctive, non-traditional locations that reflect the theme and inspire creativity.
3. Case Study: At the heart of each event is a case study—an exhibition, demonstration, showcase, experience, or performance related to the theme.
4. Experiment: The experiment phase involves an interdisciplinary panel discussion or presentation. Experts from various fields come together to share insights and explore solutions.
5. Peer Review: The event concludes with opportunities for networking and informal discussion, accompanied by food and drinks. This relaxed environment allows participants to continue conversations, build connections, and lay the groundwork for future collaborations.

URBAN CO[LAB] aims to achieve three key objectives:

• Interdisciplinary Networking: By bringing together professionals from diverse fields, the events foster a rich exchange of ideas and experiences.
• Ongoing Collaboration: The connections made at URBAN CO[LAB] events are intended to lead to lasting partnerships and collaborative projects.
• Intentional Invitation: Creating new relationships means inviting those outside of our typical communication channels and existing networks.

The first URBAN CO[LAB] event took place on May 9, 2024, at the New Parkway Theater in Downtown Oakland. The title and theme were Planners Supporting Arts, Culture, and Belonging.

The evening included a screening of two short films related to the intersection of arts & culture with urban planning in Oakland and beyond: Empowering Culture in Our Cities and Black Joy StoryWindows: A Curated Art Walk In Downtown Oakland. Following the films, panelists Robert Ogilvie, Ashara Ekundayo, and Shannon Jackson shared their experiences about how planners and artists combine their expertise to create vibrant cities and discussed how the planning profession can support arts, culture, and belonging through practice and policy.