LUGARES
LUGARES 2025: Raíces Fuertes: Sowing Resilience
Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025 & Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. U.S. Central Time
CM Credits provided for select sessions
Registration Cost: Sliding scale
The American Planning Association’s (APA) Latinos and Planning Division (LAP), with the support of La Coalición Nacional para Latinx con Discapacidades (CNLD), have come together for a virtual conference experience focused on bringing diverse Latiné voices across the nation to present our contributions to planning in our communities. The Division is excited to present a multi-part conference event entitled, “L.U.G.A.R.E.S.: Latinidad, Unity, Gente, Advocacy, Resiliencia, Equity, Spaces. Raíces Fuertes: Sowing Resilience”. This year's Annual Conference honors the deep roots and enduring strength of Latiné communities across the planning profession. Guided by the wisdom passed down through generations, we gather to explore how collective community is a legacy we inherit, cultivate, and sustain —planting the seeds for the future. We are advancing resilience through collaborative creation, acknowledging Dónde estábamos (where we have been), dónde estamos (where we are now), and dónde vamos (where we are headed). Together, we will examine how to sustain growth and justice for cities in the face of systemic barriers, climate change, and displacement—grounded in cultura, guided by historia, and committed to acción.
The conference will be a virtual gathering of Division members, practitioners, students and other allies in which attendees will engage in moderated presentations exploring various planning related topics affecting Latiné communities. Day 1 event activities will consist of Keynote address by Irayda Ruiz Bode, FAICP, topical sessions, Live recording of the Plan Dulce Podcast, breaks for networking within the ‘Paseo Expo’, and an exhibition meeting room for organizations and groups. Day 2 will consist of opening remarks and ‘Spotlight’ speaker Silvia E. Vargas, FAICP, LEED AP, two sessions and time in the ‘Paseo Expo’.
Call for Awards!
Theme
This year's Annual Conference honors the deep roots and enduring strength of Latiné communities across the planning profession. Guided by the wisdom passed down through generations, we gather to explore how collective community is a legacy we inherit, cultivate, and sustain —planting the seeds for the future. We are advancing resilience through collaborative creation, acknowledging Dónde estábamos (where we have been), dónde estamos (where we are now), and dónde vamos (where we are headed). Together, we will examine how to sustain growth and justice for cities in the face of systemic barriers, climate change, and displacement—grounded in cultura, guided by historia, and committed to acción.
Submissions
All LAP Members are invited to submit a nomination of an individual, planner, organization, project, initiative, or policy that they would like that most represents this year's theme and meets the award criteria.
In addition, we will also honor and acknowledge the contributions of those recently departed individuals that have made an important contribution to planning in their communities.
Nomination selections will be finalized November 3, 2025. If chosen as a nominator, an email from LAP will be sent detailing next steps.
Important Dates
Nomination Submission Due Date: October 27, 2025
Conference: November 13-14, 2025
Time: 10AM CT- 5PM CT
Contact: Lugaresconference@gmail.com