Land Use & Community Planning Programs

Municipal Implementation Tools Natural Resource Protection Tools Transit-Oriented Development Local Area Plans Strategies for Older Suburbs

DVRPC works closely with our member governments, individual municipalities and local communities throughout the region to assist in local land use and community planning. Visit our toolbox of municipal planning techniques to learn about natural resource protection, business improvement districts, or residential infill development. Discover the multi-municipal or community plans for land use, economic development or transit-oriented development that DVRPC has underway.

Municipal Implementation Tools

An ongoing series of "implementation tool" brochures, based on various long range plan policies, is being produced by DVRPC to assist municipal authorities in implementing the region's long range plan.

Natural Resource Protection Tools

DVRPC surveyed the region's municipalities to determine what role municipal zoning and planning tools can play in achieving the open space vision presented in our long range plan. In addition to creating a series of maps, DVRPC created a series of quality sample zoning ordinances that municipalities can use as models to update old ordinances or adopt new ordinances to foster the protection of our region's open spaces and natural resources.

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)

DVRPC's work in Transit Oriented Development includes the FHWA's Transportation & Community & System Preservation Pilot Program (TCSP), the Schuylkill Valley Metro and the Southern NJ Light Rail Transit System (SNJLRTS).

Local Area Plans

In both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the primary responsibility for land use planning and development decisions rest at the municipal level. As a regional organization, DVRPC is available to facilitate or undertake the preparation of multi-municipal plans, particularly in areas or corridors of new transportation investments. We have assisted the townships and boroughs of our older suburbs to prepare coordinated economic development and revitalization plans for multi-municipal corridors. DVRPC has also worked with local community development corporations and neighborhood associations to prepare comprehensive neighborhood plans.

Strategies for Older Suburbs

DVRPC's continuing effort to revitalize and sustain older suburbs and the core cities of the region. Our most recent efforts have focused on conducting activities designed to facilitate communities and collaboration between local officials and provide them with information on potential revitalization techniques.