Community Planning: An Introduction to the Comprehensive Plan, Second Edition

This book introduces community planning as practiced in the United States, focusing on the comprehensive plan. Sometimes known by other names—especially master plan or general plan—the type of plan described here is the predominant form of general governmental planning in the United States. Although many government agencies make plans for their own programs or facilities, the comprehensive plan is the only planning document that considers multiple programs and that accounts for activities on all land located within the planning area, including both public and private property.

Written by a former president of the American Planning Association, Community Planning is thorough, specific, and timely. For all readers, including professional planners, planning students, and interested citizens, it provides a valuable and pragmatic view of the comprehensive plan.

Eric Kelly is a professor of urban planning at Ball State University. He is a past president of the American Planning Association and has more than thirty years of experience consulting with local governments in thirty-five states.