Is State-Mandated Planning Effective?

Abstract

One of America's most interesting trends in land-use and environmental planning is state-mandated planning for local governments. Essentially, it occurs as a means of collaboration between states and local governments on important land-use and environmental issues¹-the state sets policies and goals but leaves specific details and plan implementation to the discretion of local governments. Ten states have adopted statewide comprehensive growth management programs that either require or strongly encourage local governments to prepare and adopt comprehensive plans, and seven are strongly considering statewide growth management programs. Twelve other states order at least some local governments to prepare comprehensive plans, but those mandates are not part of a state growth management program.² In addition, the American Planning Association, as part of its ongoing process of developing a policy on the state's role in growth management, is encouraging mandatory planning as a viable option for states to consider seriously in designing their role.³