Politics & Government

Salem's Director of Planning & Community Development Receives Distinguished Award

Lynn Goonin Duncan, has been recognized by the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Planning Association.

The following announcement was issued by the Salem Mayor's Office Tuesday:

Salem’s Director of Planning and Community Development, Lynn Goonin Duncan, has been recognized by the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Planning Association with their most distinguished award, the Professional Planner Award. 

The Award is given to one planner in the Commonwealth each year in recognition of his or her sustained contribution to the planning profession through distinguished practice, teaching, or writing.

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Lynn Duncan has served the city of Salem as Director of the Department of Planning and Community Development for ten years and has over 30 years’ experience in planning and community development in both the public and private sector.

Prior to her work in Salem Lynn was the Planning and Conservation Director for the Town of Wilmington and a partner in a planning consulting firm.

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She currently serves as Vice President for the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), is a Board member for the Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association, is past Vice President for Professional Development for the APA-MA, and is past present of the Massachusetts Association of Planning Directors. 

Lynn has been a speaker at the National APA Conference, Southern New England Planning Conference, the Massachusetts Housing Institute, Massachusetts Association of Planning Directors, and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. She has also provided training for the certification exam for planners. Lynn holds a Master’s Degree in landscape architecture from the University of Massachusetts.

“I am very happy to congratulate Lynn on receiving this prestigious award,” said Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll. “Under Lynn’s leadership and direction our Planning Department has accomplished some remarkable achievements over the last several years. She has helped our City secure millions of dollars in state and federal grants to improve roadways, develop and improve our housing supply, grow our local economy, and plan for a better future for our community. From successfully redeveloping our historic waterfront to introducing and expanding sustainable energy and green initiatives, from managing substantial private developments to preserving public treasures like Old Town Hall, the Common fence, and other City assets,  Lynn’s vision and dedication to Salem is aptly recognized by this distinguished award. The people of Salem are fortunate to have someone of her caliber and expertise working on their behalf.”

The award was announced at the APA-MA’s annual awards celebration in December. The City of Salem, along with the North Shore Community Development Coalition, the Point Neighborhood Association, and the MAPC, were also recognized at the celebration with the chapter’s “Social Advocacy and Public Engagement Award” for the Vision & Action Plan for the Point Neighborhood.


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