Petra Hurtado 'Embracing Uncertainty - the 2026 Trend Report for Planners'

This episode of The New Abnormal podcast features Petra Hurtado, Ph.D. who's the Chief Foresight & Knowledge Officer at the American Planning Association, leading their foresight program and knowledge portfolio; including research, publications, educational content, and career services.

With a Ph.D. in urban planning from the Vienna University of Technology, her areas of expertise and research include strategic foresight, futures literacy, urban futures and emerging technologies, urban sustainability, and environmental psychology.

In this episode, we focus mainly on an imminent release from the APA: their 2026 Trend Report for Planners. Titled 'Embracing Uncertainty' it identifies over 100 key trends across three actionable timeframes: 'Act Now, Prepare, and Learn & Watch'.

Petra delivers a sneak preview of the report in our discussion, which unpacks the most significant trends and patterns, empowering the navigation of challenges, and showing how to lead the way in shaping a better future for the planning profession, with the overall aim of helping create thriving, resilient communities.