Long-Range Plan

DVRPC's long-range land use and transportation plan provides a vision of the region's future and serves as the blueprint for future transportation facilities and services. A regional land use and open space plan identifies appropriate areas for future growth and infrastructure and an inter-connected system of natural resource areas targeted for protection. Forecasts of future population and employment inform the plan and a set of regional indicators track progress toward its goals.

For over 45 years, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) has been the principal agency charged with planning for the future of southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. Since its inception, DVRPC has worked to address current issues while also looking toward the future to craft a vision for the region in a long-range plan.

DVRPC's designation as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for this region and the regulations of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) and subsequent transportation bills, have given the Commission an expanded and stronger role in planning to link transportation, land use, and the environment. These federal regulations mandate that DVRPC prepare and maintain a long-range plan with a minimum 20-year planning horizon.

Connections 2040 - Plan for Greater Philadelphia

Work is underway on the Connections 2040 - Plan for Greater Philadelphia update to the regional long-range plan. The Connections 2040 Plan, to be released in mid-2013, will address land use, environmental, economic competitiveness, and transportation policies, and include a set of fiscally constrained transportation projects. The Connections 2040 Plan will place a strong emphasis on rebuilding our transportation system and investigating additional transportation funding that is needed to maintain the system we have today, as well as make necessary improvements to maintain our quality of life and enhance economic competitiveness. The Plan will continue the Connections focus on creating livable communities, managing growth and protecting resources, building an energy-efficient economy, and creating a modern multi-modal transportation system. Public outreach for the Plan update has begun with the launching of the Transportation Investment Scenarios report and the Connections 2040: Choices and Voices web app. More events will be announced soon.

Connections 2035 - The Regional Plan for a Sustainable Future

Connections (2035) - The Regional Plan for a Sustainable Future was adopted by the DVRPC Board on July 23, 2009 as the long-range plan for the Greater Philadelphia region. The Plan addresses land use, environmental, economic competitiveness and transportation policies, and includes a set of fiscally constrained transportation projects. The Connections Plan puts a strong emphasis on creating livable communities, managing growth and protecting resources, building an energy-efficient economy, and creating a modern multi-modal transportation system. The Plan includes a needs assessment which identified a significant gap between anticipated transportation funding and system maintenance and reconstruction needs.

Regional Indicators

Regional indicators are a means to monitor and evaluate implementation of long-range plan goals and determine if the recommendations are being accomplished. Over 30 indicators are tracked, grouped under the four core principles of the Connections Plan. The initial Tracking Progress report and updates are provided.

Planning at the Edge

This project summarizes inter-regional issues and projects identified through DVRPC staff outreach to adjacent metropolitan planning organizations and counties with the goal of achieving cooperative solutions. An advisory committee, or forum, meets regularly to initiate discussion on proposed coordination, communication and cooperation techniques, issue and project priorities and other potential collaborative activities.

Central Jersey Forum

Since its conception in 1999, this Forum has evolved into an interactive meeting ground for stakeholders to identify and discuss major transportation and land-use issues. Participants range from public officials and advocacy groups to professionals involved in the private sector. Planning activities promote coordination and consensus building between the various participants and organizations involved.