APA New York Metro Chapter Awards
Each year, the APA NYM chapter celebrates the accomplishments of our community through our awards ceremony. Announced at the annual conference, it is an opportunity to uplift the accomplishments of our peers and recognize their contributions to planning within the New York Metro.
Read more about this years award recipients
As of 2025, there are seven awards granted annually:
Lawrence M. Orton Award for Leadership in City and Regional Planning:
The Lawrence M. Orton Award is the chapter’s highest honor, recognizing exceptional leadership in city and regional planning. Named for longtime New York City Planning Commissioner Lawrence M. Orton, it celebrates visionary planning that has a lasting impact on communities and the region.
Paul Davidoff Award:
The Paul Davidoff Award honors planning efforts that advance equity and expand access to opportunity. Named after the pioneering advocate of equity planning and founder of Hunter College’s planning program, it recognizes transformative policies that promote fair and inclusive communities.
Andrew Haswell Green Award:
The Andrew Haswell Green Award recognizes an individual whose career has included at least fifteen years of outstanding contributions to planning. Named after one of New York City’s great civic visionaries, it celebrates sustained leadership that has shaped the region over time.
Mitchell Silver Award:
The Mitchell Silver Award honors planners whose work expands opportunity and improves quality of life for historically underserved communities. Named after former APA President and New York City Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver, it recognizes leadership grounded in equity, inclusion, and public service.
Maxine Griffith Award:
The Maxine Griffith Award recognizes women whose leadership has made significant contributions to planning in the New York region. Named after planner and educator Maxine Griffith, the award celebrates professionals whose work has transformed cities through innovation, vision, and public service.
William H. Whyte Award:
The William H. Whyte Award honors creativity and ingenuity in planning and urban design. Named after the influential urbanist whose observations transformed the understanding of public spaces, it recognizes planners whose innovative work improves communities and the built environment.
Robert Ponte Award:
The Robert Ponte Award recognizes outstanding scholarship and professional practice that advances planning through research, education, and public policy. Named after planner, academic, and longtime chapter supporter Robert Ponte, it honors those who bridge theory and practice to improve communities.