People, Planning, and Places 

75 Years of the Michigan Association of Planning

Below is a summary of chapter milestones, events and laws that affect planners.  

 

1945:  The Michigan County Planning Act and the Michigan Regional Planning Commission Act are signed into law    1940's     1945:  The Michigan Society of Municipal Planning Officials (MSMPO) is formed.  It is the 7th state planning association in the nation.
         

 

1948 study on master plans

1949:  Federal Housing Act is signed into law. Significantly increases the FHA mortgage insurance program for non-defense housing. Levittown        
     1950's      
       MSPO logo Brighter Tomorrow    1953:  MSMPO is renamed the Michigan Society of Planning Officials (MSPO)
1956:  Federal Highway Act is signed into law.  Highway        
           
1957:  The Mackinac Bridge is opened.      

 

 Conference Programs from the 1950's

         
1960: Michigan becomes the first state to complete a border-to-border interstate highway (I-94).    1960's  MSPO Board 1960    
1963:  Michigan ratifies its fourth constitution. Great Seal of State of Michigan        
           
1964 - 1968:  Great Society is initiated including new programs, policies and laws.  President Johnson signing bill        
           

1967:  Detroit Rebellion.

 John Conyers 1967        1966: MSPO is the largest state planning association in the nation, with 1,270 members
        Conference Programs from the 1960's 
1970:  The EPA is established.  EPA  1970's      
           
1972:  Clean Water Act is signed into law. Seascapes and Seashores        
           
1976: Referendum vote banned throwaway bottles in Michigan

Vintage Pepsi Bottle

       
           

1978:  The Headlee Amendment signed into law

 Lansing Capitol      

 1978:   The American Planning Association (APA) is formed from a consolidation of the American Institute of Planners (AIP) and the American Society of Planning Officials (ASPO).  Click on the APA logo to read more about the history of these two parent organizations.   

         

 

        Conference Program from 1978
     1980's      
 1981:  Michigan's Right to Farm Act signed into law          
          1983:  MSPO obtains 501c3 status 
1990: Americans with Disabilities Act signed into law  President Bush signing ADA into Law  1990's      
          1995:  First Memorial Scholarship Golf Outing is held 
         

 

 1995:  MSPO turns 50!

           
     2000's  John Sych and Bruce Pape sign merger MSPO/MAPA documents   2000:  Michigan Society of Planning Officials and the Michigan Chapter of the American Planning Association merge 
           
           2006: Michigan Zoning Enabling Act.  MAP led effort to consolidate three zoning enabling acts into a single act. 
 2007:  Lasting from December 2007 to June 2009, the Great Recession, was the longest economic downturn  since World War II.  Foreclosure Sign        
           2008: Michigan Planning Enabling Act. MAP led effort to consolidate three planning enabling acts into a single act. 
     2010's      
       MAP Board 2019    
    2020's       2020: MAP has 3,992 members

 

For additional planning history, check out Professor Scott Campbell's planning history timeline or the American Planning Association's timeline