Regional Plan Association

Regional Plan Association is a non-profit organization that aims to improve the quality of life in the New York metropolitan area through planning, research, and advocacy. The organization was founded in 1922 by a group of New York City businessmen, including Charles Dyer Norton and John Purroy Mitchel, with the goal of addressing the region's growing urbanization and suburbanization challenges, similar to those faced by other major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles and Chicago. The Regional Plan Association has worked with various government agencies, including the Federal Highway Administration and the United States Department of Transportation, to develop and implement plans for the region's transportation infrastructure, such as the Long Island Rail Road and the Metro-North Railroad. The organization has also collaborated with other non-profit groups, like the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and the Urban Land Institute, to promote sustainable development and smart growth practices in the region.

● History

The Regional Plan Association has a long history of shaping the development of the New York metropolitan area, dating back to the 1920s when it was founded by a group of New York City businessmen, including Charles Dyer Norton and John Purroy Mitchel, who were influenced by the ideas of Daniel Burnham and the City Beautiful movement. The organization's first major project was the development of the Regional Plan of New York and Its Environs, which was published in 1929 and outlined a comprehensive plan for the region's growth and development, similar to the Plan of Chicago developed by Daniel Burnham and Edward Bennett. The plan was influenced by the work of Frederick Law Olmsted and the McMillan Plan for Washington, D.C., and it recommended the creation of a regional transportation system, including the New York City Subway and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Over the years, the Regional Plan Association has continued to play a major role in shaping the region's development, working with government agencies like the New York State Department of Transportation and the New Jersey Department of Transportation to implement plans for the region's transportation infrastructure, including the George Washington Bridge and the Lincoln Tunnel.

● Mission and Goals

The Regional Plan Association's mission is to improve the quality of life in the New York metropolitan area by promoting sustainable development, smart growth, and social equity, similar to the goals of the American Planning Association and the National Association of Counties. The organization's goals include creating a more efficient and effective transportation system, such as the Gateway Program and the LaGuardia Airport redevelopment project, promoting affordable housing and community development, like the New York City Housing Authority and the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, and protecting the region's natural resources, including the Hudson River and the New York Harbor. The Regional Plan Association also aims to promote economic growth and development in the region, working with organizations like the Partnership for New York City and the New Jersey Business and Industry Association to support businesses and entrepreneurs, such as those in the Silicon Alley and New Jersey Tech industries.

● Research and Publications

The Regional Plan Association conducts research and publishes reports on a wide range of topics related to regional planning and development, including transportation, housing, and economic development, often in collaboration with academic institutions like Columbia University and New York University. The organization's research has been influenced by the work of Jane Jacobs and the Congress for the New Urbanism, and it has published reports on topics such as the Future of the New York City Subway and the Economic Benefits of Investing in Transportation Infrastructure, which have been cited by organizations like the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the Brookings Institution. The Regional Plan Association also publishes a quarterly magazine, The Regional Plan, which features articles and analysis on regional planning and development issues, including interviews with experts like Robert Moses and Lee Kuan Yew.

● Policy and Advocacy

The Regional Plan Association is actively engaged in policy and advocacy efforts to promote its mission and goals, working with government agencies like the New York City Council and the New Jersey State Legislature to shape policy and legislation related to regional planning and development. The organization has advocated for policies such as congestion pricing and transit-oriented development, which have been implemented in cities like London and Singapore, and it has worked with other non-profit groups, like the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Sierra Club, to promote environmental protection and sustainability in the region. The Regional Plan Association has also partnered with organizations like the American Institute of Architects and the Urban Land Institute to promote good design and planning practices in the region, including the development of green infrastructure and resilient cities.

● Projects and Initiatives

The Regional Plan Association has launched several projects and initiatives to promote its mission and goals, including the Fourth Regional Plan, which was published in 2017 and outlines a comprehensive plan for the region's growth and development over the next 25 years, similar to the Los Angeles General Plan and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. The organization has also launched initiatives such as the Transportation Improvement Program and the Housing Action Agenda, which aim to improve the region's transportation infrastructure and promote affordable housing, respectively, in collaboration with organizations like the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. The Regional Plan Association has also partnered with organizations like the New York City Economic Development Corporation and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to support economic development and job creation in the region, including the development of innovation hubs and startup ecosystems.

● Organization and Leadership

The Regional Plan Association is led by a board of directors that includes prominent business and civic leaders from the New York metropolitan area, such as Michael Bloomberg and Jon Corzine, who have experience in fields like finance and government. The organization's staff includes experts in fields such as transportation, housing, and economic development, who have worked with organizations like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The Regional Plan Association is also supported by a network of volunteers and partners, including organizations like the League of Women Voters and the American Civil Liberties Union, who help to advance the organization's mission and goals, including the promotion of social justice and environmental sustainability in the region. The organization has also collaborated with academic institutions like Harvard University and University of Pennsylvania to advance research and knowledge in the field of regional planning and development. Category:Urban planning