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Building Thriving Communities

What does an ideal community look like?

Family Strolling Outdoors
Health & Well-being
Digital illustration of a busy urban roundabout intersection. Cars, a cyclist, and pedestrians navigate the crossing.
Accessible Transportation
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Affordable Housing
Outdoor Market Shopping
Image by Ignacio Brosa
Sustainable Environment
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Climate Resilience
Community Vitality

Strategies for Thriving Communities

Turn state land-use strategies into enforceable policy.

Better balance authority between the state and counties.

Coordinate funding across programs and agencies.

Leverage cross-sector collaboration to deliver results.

Actions

1

Priority 1:
State Strategies
  • Give State Strategies the Force of Law
  • Integrate Health Goals
  • Strengthen Office of State Planning Coordination’s authority
  • Adopt further natural resources protections statewide

2

Priority 2:
Climate and Conservation
  • Improve Open Space and Agricultural Land Preservation Programs
  • Develop a Climate Adaptation Strategy
  • Adopt a Statewide Building Code
  • Create a Statewide Climate Adaptation Fund

3

Priority 3:
Community Design
  • Research Creative Funding Strategies
  • Focus growth in Levels 1 and 2 with a focus on areas that have/are ripe for transit, bike/ped infrastructure, infill, and similar factors
  • Create mixed income, mixed ability, and mixed use communities in levels 1 and 2
  • Streamline permitting and use as an incentive specifically for growth in appropriate places
  • Create well-designed, healthy, and safe communities with a balance of jobs, diverse and affordable housing types, services, and amenities, supported by multiple transportation options. 
  • Identify and protect areas that should not be developed, including farmland, riparian corridors, floodplains, forests, wetlands, natural areas, historic assets, scenic views, and wildlife habitat
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