Have you ever heard of “The London Plan?” How about Delhi’s “Development Authority Master Plan,” or Mexico City’s “General Development Plan?”
From London to Lagos, Bogota to São Paulo, major cities across the world have created long-term “comprehensive plans” to guide their growth and development. There’s a reason why most large cities – including those in the United States – have plans like these: they balance community needs for housing, healthcare, employment, transportation, infrastructure, and more to ensure every neighborhood can grow and thrive equitably. Comprehensive plans recognize that all urban policy, budget, and land use decisions are inherently interrelated and therefore need a shared vision to guide them. Yet, despite being the most populous city in the country, New York City is noticeably lacking a plan like this.
