State Planning
Where and how we grow is fundamental to New Jersey’s economic prosperity, environmental health and social equity.
In 1986, recognizing the critical role the state must play in directing future growth and aligning resources accordingly, New Jersey adopted the State Planning Act — a groundbreaking effort to coordinate land-use planning among state agencies and different levels of government. The act mandated the creation of the State Development and Redevelopment Plan (the “State Plan”), as well as the formation of the State Planning Commission and its staff, now housed at the Office of Planning Advocacy in the Department of State.
But 20 years’ experience with state planning has produced mixed results. The State Plan vision for strong communities and preserved open lands is widely shared and has helped shape development patterns. But, for a variety of reasons, the Plan has not been fully implemented by either state agencies or municipalities. In response, in early 2011 the Christie administration began a process that culminated in October 2011 in the release of a proposed a new State Plan update called the State Strategic Plan.
See the latest information on the State Strategic Plan, including the latest draft of the Plan, statements from New Jersey Future, press coverage and analysis, and links to upcoming meetings and to state agency implementation steps.
New Jersey Future submitted comments on proposed changes to the NJDEP’s stormwater management rules, praising the emphasis on green infrastructure and offering recommendations for making the rule clearer and more effective.
A group of 18 mayors and organizations concerned with how New Jersey grows and develops has sent a letter to Gov. Murphy urging him to renew focus on the State Plan.
New Jersey Future applauds the Legislature’s Jan. 31, 2019, passage of the Clean Stormwater, Flood Reduction Act, and encourages the governor to sign it.
Smart Growth America’s new report on pedestrian fatalities shows New Jersey isn’t the most dangerous place to walk, but there is still work to do to make it safer.
New Jersey Future Planning Manager David Kutner, who directed the organization’s post-Hurricane Sandy recovery planning work, will receive APA NJ’s award for outstanding professional planning.
the ForwardNJ coalition offers priorities for Transportation Trust Fund. February 2015.
How can New Jersey turn this urban water infrastructure crisis into an opportunity for long-term prosperity. August 2014.
This report and related case studies summarize the state of urban water infrastructure in New Jersey and how it affects residents and businesses. May 2014.
This report and related case studies summarize the state of urban water infrastructure in New Jersey and how it affects residents and businesses. May 2014.
April 29, 2014 – Respected environmental lawyer Joe Marazati receives 2014 Cary Edwards Leadership Award at the Smart Growth Awards with New Jersey Future.
See all Future Facts and Articles in this category »
Reports, Presentations and Testimony
- 02/11/2019: Testimony on Economic Development Incentives
- 01/31/2019: Letter to Gov. Murphy re State Plan
- 01/30/2019: Testimony on CAFRA Center Extension
- 01/08/2019: Testimony on Stormwater Rule Proposal
- New Jersey Future Resilient Coastal Communities Project Report Appendix 6
- New Jersey Future Resilient Coastal Communities Project Report Appendix 4
- New Jersey Future Resilient Coastal Communities Project Report Appendix 3 Figures
- New Jersey Future Resilient Coastal Communities Project Report 2017
- New Jersey Future Demographic Trends by Age September 2017
- 09/15/2017: Comments on Proposed Changes to Coastal Zone Management Rules
- Jersey Water Works Water Infrastructre Funding Report 06-2017 (Intern Report)
- New-Jersey-Future-Assessment-of-the-NJLIHTC-program
- New Jersey Future 2017 Gubernatorial Platform
- New Jersey Future report to NJDEP re Liberty State Park 02-04-15
- 02/11/2016: Testimony on New Jersey applications for HUD disaster-relief funds
- NJFuture-In-Deep-10-15-WEB
- 12/17/2014: Comments on Plan Endorsement Extension
- Sea Bright exposure analysis
- Somerset County Investment Framework 1-13 (Intern Report)
- 11/09/2012: Statement on Final Draft State Strategic Plan
- Targeting Transit -- New Jersey Future
- Innovation Districts as Economic Growth Strategy 9-12 (Intern Report)
- State Strategic Plan Public Hearings Announcement 8-3-12
- Wastewater Planning County Fact Sheets
- 04/02/2012: NJFuture Comments to State Planning Commission on Draft State Strategic Plan
- 01/17/2012: Reaction to State of the State Address
- 11/30/2011: Coalition Statement on Grow NJ Bill
- 11/11/2011: Statement: Recommendations to the State Planning Commission
- 11/14/2011: State Planning Act-State Strategic Plan Consistency Review
- DKennedy State Strategic Plan APA-NJ 11-4-2011
- BBzik State Strategic Plan Somerset County Perspective 11-4-2011
- Executive Order-78
- Smart Growth NJ August 2011 Poll Report
- Best Practices in State and Regional Planning 5-11 (Intern report)
- 04/22/2009: Letter to State Planning Commission on Draft State Plan
- 04/13/2009: Letter on Spending of Stimulus Funds
- 04/07/2009: Common Ground Statement of Principles on Federal Stimulus
- 06/11/2009: Letter to Governor Corzine on State Plan and Planning Commission
- 03/05/2010: Statement to Housing Opportunity Task Force
- Presentation: Proposal for State Planning Commission 10-09
- Where Are We Growing? State Plan Forum summary 10-09
- Presentation: New Jersey's State Plan: Where We Are and What's Next 11-09
- Property Tax Reform and Land Use 07-06
- Planning Ahead 11-09
- Affordable Housing Policy 10-04
- Smart Conservation: The "Green" Side of Smart Growth
- Race to the Middle: The Homogenization of New Jersey's Population Density
- Realistic Opportunity? The Distribution of Affordable Housing and Jobs in New Jersey
- Getting to Work 11-08
