URBS 661—Long-Range & Strategic Planning

Assessing a Comprehensive Plan

Choose a teammate—you will do this project in groups of 2.

 

Select a city which has updated its comprehensive plan in the last 5 years.  Obtain a copy of the plan and supporting documents, and arrange to interview one of the planners who worked on the plan.

 

Write a written assessment of the plan, responding to the following three issues:

  1. Content
    1. Substantive areas addressed
    2. Data gathered (population, land use, development/growth patterns, etc.)
    3. Data analysis techniques (statistical analysis, projections, GIS, etc.)
    4. Alternative growth scenarios considered
    5. Regional/Metro policies impact on plan (affordable housing, growth management, etc.)
    6. Visual appeal & user friendliness
    7. Plan utilization (how planners are using it on a regular basis)
  2. Process
    1. Who produced it
    2. Steps followed and amount of time required
    3. Methods to encourage citizen participation
    4. Special interest group involvement (Chamber of Commerce, neighborhoods, environmentalists, etc.)
    5. Local official involvement
    6. Distribution to community (internet, print, etc.)
  3. Analysis:  Consider Hoch’s 4 criteria
    1. Does the plan improve acceptance of alternatives?
    2. Does the plan inspire people to follow its objectives?
    3. Does the plan meet a wider public interest?
    4. Does the plan meet the expectations of planners (does it follow best practices)?
  4. Recommendations: 3 ways to improve the plan or the process

 

Report & Presentation:

  1. Write a 3-5 page single-spaced memo analyzing the issues above.  Be specific in your description and in your analysis, and attach appendices (maps, tables, etc.) that support your conclusions.
  2. Prepare a 5-minute oral PowerPoint presentation of your findings.

MSU

© 2006 A.J.Filipovitch
Revised 4 January 2006