DevLee

Auburn, Ala. – The City of Auburn’s Interactive Growth Model received the Outstanding Planning Award for a Project/Program/Tool at the 2009 Alabama Chapter of the American Planning Association’s (ALAPA) annual meeting, held March 25 – 27 in Orange Beach, AL. The award recognized the Auburn Interactive Growth Model (AIGM) as a “significant advancement to the cause of planning.” The consulting firm of Van Buskirk, Ryffel and Associates, Inc. was also recognized for their efforts in developing the model.
In October 2006, the Auburn City Council authorized a resolution to contract with Van Buskirk, Ryffel and Associates, Inc. to develop an interactive growth model that would assist City staff in their comprehensive planning efforts. The model is driven by population growth projections in five year increments to “build-out” (the point at which the City is fully developed), rather than traditional 10 – 25 year forecasts. Consultants worked in tandem with City departments to create a model that provides City decision-makers with an accurate picture of future growth in the City. In 2009, City staff will continue work on the City of Auburn Comprehensive Plan, known as CompPlan 2030. While the model is currently being used to help evaluate zoning applications and land use decisions, City staff fully expects to incorporate the model as part of its comprehensive planning process. For more information, please contact the City of Auburn Planning Department at 501-3040.