A good master plan starts by expressing a clear vision for a community. How does a community think about itself today, and where does it want to be in, say, ten years? This vision is supported by a set of strategic goals that, among other things, shape urban development. Each goal is supported by one or more measurable objectives which, when pursued, enable the municipality to achieve that goal. Each objective gets mapped to one or more policies. Policy implementation runs the gamut, from creating new zoning regulations to funding infrastructure projects to conducting a study of relevance to a municipality’s well-being. As we’re about to see, not all master plans are created equal.
