CHICAGO – The best examples of Chicago area planning and development projects are featured in a software application created for the American Planning Association’s (APA) 2013 national conference in Chicago.
The Chicago Planning Tour app, which highlights planning-related events and projects in metropolitan Chicago. was produced by Parsons Brinckerhoff using software developed by GeneXus USA.
The APA conference, to be held April 13-17, attracts planners and leaders from around the world. Attendees will be able to experience, explore, and share the region’s active community plans through the Chicago Planning Tour app.
“We are proud to highlight Chicago’s best planning and development projects to an international audience that will be attending the APA conference,” said Thomas Coleman of Parsons Brinckerhoff.
Parsons Brinckerhoff worked with Chicago’s Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) and other planning agencies and non-profits in the region to identify the best examples of planning and development to feature in the Chicago Planning Tour app.
“The projects highlighted are all examples of how our region is continuing to develop and change, which is what all good healthy regions do,” said Mandy Burrell Booth, Communication Director of MPC. “The app is the perfect format to showcase the groups in our region and to further share the story of good planning.”
Users of the Chicago Planning Tour app are able to get directions to specific locations, view exhibits and recently completed planning and development projects, and share their experiences via social media (Facebook and Twitter). The localization service in the app allows users to interact with the device’s GPS, assisting them in discovering various project sites. The features include:
- Information option: providing the history of the projects;
- Social media interaction: Facebook check-in and post, Tweet through app;
- Options to support the projects featured in the app; and
- Contact information for the project sites.
The Chicago Planning Tour app is available for iOS and Android now at www.chicagoplanningtour.com..
ABOUT PARSONS BRINCKERHOFF
Parsons Brinckerhoff is a leader in developing and operating infrastructure around the world, with 14,000 employees dedicated to meeting the needs of clients and communities in the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australia-Pacific regions. The firm offers skills and resources in strategic consulting, planning, engineering, program/construction
management, and operations for transportation, power, mining, water/wastewater, and community development projects. Parsons Brinckerhoff is part of Balfour Beatty, an international infrastructure services business operating in professional services, construction services, support services and infrastructure investments (www.pbworld.com).
ABOUT GENEXUS USA
GeneXus USA is a global provider of innovative and cost-effective software solutions for building mission-critical applications faster and smarter. Founded in 2004, GeneXus USA is headquartered in Chicago and is a minority and woman-owned technology company. GeneXus USA is known to build customized and tailored applications fast and inexpensively using GeneXus’ development technology (www.genexususa.com).