Third Annual AICP CM Course in Italy, May 2 –7, 2027

For a week this past May, planners from several states participated in a unique course to earn credits towards certification maintenance. Set in an ancient hilltop town in east central Italy, the course included lectures and field trips to other towns and sites including an active archaeological dig and a social farm. Participants stayed in local lodgings and enjoyed absorbing the aspects of daily life in an authentic Italian village. They shared meals of regional foods and joined locals in the ritual of morning cappuccino in an outdoor cafe.

Chris Hagerman AICP, one of this year’s attendees, observed:

This course presents the opportunity for planners and urban designers to remember what first got us excited about cities: walkable towns, beautiful architecture, lively public spaces, and local economies. Set within the beautiful landscape between the Apennines and the Adriatic, the daily activities explore problems and opportunities common to our cities at home: the challenges of incorporating new development with historic preservation, planning for resiliency and natural disasters, the promise and perils of tourism, depopulation of rural centers, and how to support agricultural uses and businesses.

Robin Scholetsky put it succinctly:

The opportunity to travel to Italy, visit with Italians, and see the history first-hand is both fun and educational. The course is well beyond what a tourist would experience.

For the upcoming course 2027, we will cover similar topics. It is not necessary to speak or understand Italian, as the Italian presenters speak English fluently. This is a unique opportunity to be immersed in the cultural traditions of Italy without being surrounded by mobs of tourists. We will visit a number of places that most outsiders never see. You will learn about planning policies, programs, and projects being planned, restored, or built and earn more than 20 CM credits in the process.

The course has limited capacity, so it would be useful to indicate an interest early so that you can be apprised of the registration process.

Contact Mark Hinshaw, Course Administrator, at [email protected] for more information or to make a preliminary reservation.