regional planning
Multi-city land coordination
Regional planning is the practice of organizing land use, infrastructure, and development across an area larger than a single municipality—typically a metropolitan area, watershed, or economic zone.
It coordinates transportation, housing, environmental protection, and growth patterns among multiple jurisdictions: The regional planning commission addressed traffic flow between the suburbs and downtown.
Regional planners balance competing local interests against broader geographic and economic realities.
How terrain is allocated
- ordinancesLocal government rules
- rezoningChanging land-use designation
- variancesDegrees of difference
- setbacksReversals of progress
overlay districts · building codes · height restrictions · buffer zones · zoning board · inclusionary zoning · special permits
City plus linked suburbs
- urbanizationPopulation shift toward cities
- sprawlExtend in disorderly fashion
- densityMass-to-volume ratio
- infill developmentBuilding on unused urban land
transit-oriented development · mixed-use · walkability · central business district · housing density · urban renewal · gentrification · urban core
Structured advancement of prosperity
- investmentDeploying capital for returns
- revitalizationRestoring vigor or vitality
- job creationEstablishing new work positions
- commerceExchange of goods, services
industry · entrepreneurship · redevelopment · transformation · workforce development · placemaking · feasibility studies · business districts
Cultivation of land, livestock
- countrysideRural area beyond towns
- farming communitiesGroups organized around cultivation
- agritourismTourism centered on farming
- rural characterCountryside nature or quality
open space · village centers · small towns · rural infrastructure · broadband access · farm-to-market · hamlet · township
Preventing waste or loss
- climate resilienceAbility to withstand environmental shifts
- renewable energySelf-replenishing natural power
- carbon reductionLowering CO2 emissions
- emissions targetsGoals for reducing pollutants
energy efficiency · watershed protection · sustainable development · climate adaptation · environmental impact · air quality · water quality · green building
Systems moving people, goods
- highwaysMajor intercity roads
- bridgesStructures spanning obstacles
- utilitiesEssential infrastructure services
- sewersUnderground waste conduits
water supply · public works · roads · mass transit · broadband · pipelines · power grid · telecommunications
Official enactment of statutes
- regulationsEnforced rules and standards
- guidelinesSuggested rules for behavior
- standardsAccepted levels of quality
- stakeholder engagementInvolving parties with vested interests
public participation · decision-making · compliance · mandates · directives · annexation · incorporation · home rule
land use
How terrain is allocated
- ordinancesLocal government rules
- rezoningChanging land-use designation
- variancesDegrees of difference
setbacks · overlay districts · building codes · height restrictions · buffer zones · zoning board · inclusionary zoning · special permits
metropolitan area
City plus linked suburbs
- urbanizationPopulation shift toward cities
- sprawlExtend in disorderly fashion
- densityMass-to-volume ratio
infill development · transit-oriented development · mixed-use · walkability · central business district · housing density · urban renewal · gentrification · urban core · suburban
economic development
Structured advancement of prosperity
- investmentDeploying capital for returns
- revitalizationRestoring vigor or vitality
- job creationEstablishing new work positions
commerce · industry · entrepreneurship · redevelopment · transformation · workforce development · placemaking · feasibility studies · business districts · enterprise zones
agriculture
Cultivation of land, livestock
- countrysideRural area beyond towns
- farming communitiesGroups organized around cultivation
- agritourismTourism centered on farming
rural character · open space · village centers · small towns · rural infrastructure · broadband access · farm-to-market · hamlet · township · exurban
conservation
Preventing waste or loss
- climate resilienceAbility to withstand environmental shifts
- renewable energySelf-replenishing natural power
- carbon reductionLowering CO2 emissions
emissions targets · energy efficiency · watershed protection · sustainable development · climate adaptation · environmental impact · air quality · water quality · green building · resource management
transportation networks
Systems moving people, goods
- highwaysMajor intercity roads
- bridgesStructures spanning obstacles
- utilitiesEssential infrastructure services
sewers · water supply · public works · roads · mass transit · broadband · pipelines · power grid · telecommunications · sanitation
legislation
Official enactment of statutes
- regulationsEnforced rules and standards
- guidelinesSuggested rules for behavior
- standardsAccepted levels of quality
stakeholder engagement · public participation · decision-making · compliance · mandates · directives · annexation · incorporation · home rule · federal funding