Planning Resources

Resources for learning more about various planning strategies currently being used in community planning around the country.

County of Hawai'i General Plan (2005)

General Plan adopted in February 2005

Smart Growth Online

Online resource for smart growth networks

Smart Growth America

Smart Growth America is a coalition of national, state and local organizations working to improve the ways we plan and build the towns, cities and metro areas we call home

National Charrette Institute

Charrettes: A breakthrough planning tool for community transformation

Green Building (USGBC, LEED)

The U.S. Green Building Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community of leaders working to make green buildings available to everyone within a generation

Form-Based Codes Institute

A method of regulating development to achieve a specific urban form. Form-based codes create a predictable public realm primarily by controlling physical form, with a lesser focus on land use, through city or county regulations

New Urbanism

Creating livable sustainable communities

American Farmland Trust

American Farmland Trust is the leading national organization dedicated to saving America’s farm and ranch land, promoting healthy farming practices and supporting farms and farmers. As the vital link among farmers, conservationists and policy-makers, they are focused on ensuring the availability of fresh food, a healthy environment and strong local economies across the nation.

Farmland Information Center (FIC)

The FIC is a clearinghouse for information about farmland protection and stewardship. It is a partnership between the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and American Farmland Trust.

Farmland Protection Toolbox

This fact sheet provides a brief description of the tools and techniques that state and local governments are using to protect farmland and support the economic viability of agriculture.