Chip Land (l) receives Distinguished Planner Award from Skip Grdovic, AICP, president of SCAPA. Nathaniel "Chip" Land, AICP, former director of planning for the City of Columbia, received the Distinguished Planner Award from the SC Chapter of the American Planning Association (SCAPA) October 17. This award is given every two years to a planning professional who has demonstrated outstanding contributions to the planning field within South Carolina over an extended period of time, and exhibits qualities which have led to successful accomplishment of planning goals, programs, or projects. Land was selected for his planning leadership and creativity, professional commitment, community service, recognized expertise, and ethical conduct.

For nearly two decades, Land has provided exemplary, dedicated SCAPA leadership in roles ranging from chair of Legislative and Programs Committees to president. He served as chair and co-chair of the Legislative Policy Committee, and he tirelessly and effectively led SCAPA efforts and initiatives on legislative matters related to planning in SC since 1992.

On behalf of SCAPA, Land worked with partners to develop, promote, and ensure the passage of the SC Planning Enabling Act of 1994 and the subsequent educational requirements for elected and appointed planning officials.