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.
We can reduce transportation-related greenhouse-gas emissions by switching our vehicles to cleaner fuels. But unless we also reduce the miles they travel, we’re only addressing half the problem.
Nationally, Millennials are a much larger generation than the one that came before them. But not in New Jersey. This is a problem for the future economic health of the state, and deserves to be addressed.
New Jersey’s proposal to designate 169 Census tracts as Opportunity Zones has been approved. Analysis shows they represent the kinds of places where the state would like to direct growth, and where targeted investment can catalyze economic revitalization.
A session at the New Jersey Future Redevelopment Forum examined how stormwater utilities work in other states, what their benefits are, why New Jersey may want to consider authorizing them, and where the state is in that process.
Speakers at the New Jersey Future Redevelopment Forum plenary session discussed how to capitalize on national trends affecting redevelopment, and things New Jersey can do to foster revitalization of communities of all sizes. The key, they all said, is placemaking.
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
- 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
