The overall goal of this project is to foster communication, coordination and consistency between the goals and policies of the regional land use and transportation plans and economic development strategies among economic development and planning agency staff in southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Berks, Mercer, Camden, Burlington and Gloucester counties). The counties and municipalities of southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey have prepared comprehensive plans and adopted zoning ordinances to guide land use and development in their communities, including the need for expanded or improved sewer and water facilities and multi-modal transportation projects and services. Countywide economic development plans and action strategies have also been developed by various agencies, reflecting goals and policies to attract jobs and generate tax base growth, building upon current educational levels, worker skills and physical assets. A key context for this study is the requirement in the new Surface Transportation Act (SAFETEA-LU) calling for strengthened linkages between metropolitan planning organization land use and transportation plans and local economic development planning. The study includes an assessment of the context, participants and essential information for economic decision-making in the region. It informs planners about the organizations and structural relationships in place in the region where economic development planning occurs, and where that planning already interfaces with land use and transportation planning activities and programs. It also provides information about the economic development professionals in the region and their land use and transportation priorities. Priorities which have been incorporated into a set of key transportation investments and economic development and infrastructure projects that would help the region be a competitive player in the national and global marketplace in coming years. A key approach to help guide this assessment and the overall study was the establishment of a Land Use, Transportation and Economic Development (LUTED) data analysis, information-sharing and policy coordination forum and process. A process that supports a more integrated decision-making and information-sharing approach could serve as a coordinated planning template for pertinent state and local agencies in response to proposed economic development projects. LUTED will be an ongoing, outcome based effort in aligning DVPRC's planning and implementation activities and it will guide the region's investment strategy to achieve the vision and goals set forth by Connections 2035.
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- Copyright 2009 Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. All rights reserved.
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