Critical Conversations in Transportation Planning: Mike Pritchard, AICP

Episode sponsor: Caltrans


Episode URL:
https://planning.org/podcast/critical-conversations-in-transportation-planning-mike-pritchard-aicp/


Co-hosts Divya Gandhi and Em Hall had the pleasure of sitting
down with Mike Pritchard, AICP, Assistant Director at York County
Planning Commission, at the 2025 National Planning Conference in
Denver.


This episode of Critical Conversations in Transportation Planning
explores how human-centered design and empathy interviews can
transform transportation planning by prioritizing people's lived
experiences over traditional data-driven approaches. The
discussion highlights practical strategies for inclusive planning
across diverse geographies—from urban centers to rural
communities—while emphasizing the importance of storytelling and
strong partnerships in securing funding and communicating complex
transportation concepts to stakeholders.


Relevant Links:


Community in Motion: The York and Adams Counties Coordinated
Human Services Public Transportation Plan


United for ALICE


5 Ways Empathy Can Help You Be a Better Planner


About Mike Pritchard, AICP:


Mike Pritchard, AICP, is Chief of the York County Planning
Commission’s (PA) Transportation Planning division, which serves
as staff to the York Area Metropolitan Planning Organization.
Since 2011, he has worked in community and transportation
planning at YCPC and the City of