FLORIDA PLANNING A Publication of the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association
Spring 2013
www.floridaplanning.org
WHERE IN THE WORLD.... is Urumqi and How Did I Get Here? By Mary Kay Peck, FAICP
It’s darn near impossible for me to pass up an opportunity to travel. Ürümqi
Combine my love of travel with my love of planning and that becomes an irresistible combination. When Jeff Soule, Director of Outreach and International Programs for APA, asked if I would represent APA at a conference in Urumqi, China, I cleared my calendar even before I knew how to pronounce Urumqi or where exactly it was. As it turns out, Urumqi is pronounced oo-room-CHe. It’s a city of about 3,000,000, located in northwest China in Xinjiang Province. Xinjiang Province is the largest province in China and shares a border with eight countries, including India, Pakistan, Russia, Afghanistan and Mongolia. Because of its location, Urumqi was a major junction on the Silk Road and is home to people of many ethnic backgrounds. Urumqi and Xinjiang share that rich ethnic heritage which has resulted in Xinjiang being officially named the “Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.” The presence of active mosques gives evidence to the large number of residents who practice the Islamic religion, which
XINJIANG
continued on page 4
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
6 8 Planners in Colombia
Ecotourism in Boya, Monte Plata, Dominican Republic
OTHER Features
9 10 12 14 16 18 A Different Kind of Canadian Visitors
Planning in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Planners Have an APP for That
Reflections from a Planner in Afghanistan
Australian Planning
Proposed APA Florida Bylaw Changes
President’s Message - p.3 In Memoriam - p. 19 Section Happenings - p. 20 Law Case Update - p. 21 Consultants Directory - p. 22 Events - back page
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