Table Of Content“Jepson and Weitz’ book is the only one providing planners with the basic, hands-on analytic tools needed
for plan making.”
—Arthur C. Nelson, University of Arizona
“The second edition of Fundamentals of Plan Making is a careful update of the go-to source for how and
why to create an effective comprehensive plan. Ed Jepson and Jerry Weitz have added new data sources,
tables, and illustrations. New sections on cost–benefit analysis, sustainability, transportation options, and
complete streets make the book especially timely for students and practitioners.”
—Tom Daniels, University of Pennsylvania
“As an instructor I am always on the lookout for instructional texts that effectively apply methods and
techniques to planning and plan making. Jepson and Weitz do just this by taking a comprehensive and
practical approach to the skills needed in planning practice. I applaud this work and I’m very pleased to
see the updates that have been incorporated throughout.”
—Tom Sanchez, Virginia Tech
“Despite all the alternative theories about where planning might go or should go, developing and writing
comprehensive plans remains at the core of the urban planning profession. Jepson and Weitz have done
planning practitioners, students, and scholars a considerable service: they have carefully distilled and
articulated a broad range of key planning tools, methods, and resources. The result is a comprehensive,
practical, and up-to-date handbook that serves as a valuable one-stop guide.”
—Scott Campbell, University of Michigan
Second edition published 2021
by Routledge
52 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, NY 10017
and by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2021 Edward J. Jepson, Jr. and Jerry Weitz
The right of Edward J. Jepson, Jr. and Jerry Weitz to be identified as authors of
this work has been asserted by them in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised
in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter
invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or
retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered
trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to
infringe.
First edition published by Routledge 2015
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Jepson, Edward J., author. | Weitz, Jerry, author.
Title: Fundamentals of plan making: methods and techniques/
Edward J. Jepson, Jr. and Jerry Weitz.
Identifiers: LCCN 2020029104 (print) | LCCN 2020029105 (ebook) |
ISBN 9780367546441 (hardback) | ISBN 9780367546434 (paperback) |
ISBN 9781003089971 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: City planning. | Regional planning. |
Community development. | Social planning. | Needs assessment.
Classification: LCC HT166 .J48 2020 (print) | LCC HT166 (ebook) |
DDC 307.1/216–dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020029104
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020029105
ISBN: 978-0-367-54644-1 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-367-54643-4 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-08997-1 (ebk)
Typeset in Garamond Three
by Deanta Global Publishing Services, Chennai, India
Visit the companion website: https ://ej jplan ning. wixsi te.co m/fun damen tals
Contents
List of Figures xii
List of Tables xiv
List of Boxes xvii
Acknowledgments xix
Introduction 1
1 An Introduction to the Comprehensive Plan 4
What Is a Comprehensive Plan? 4
Reasons to Create a Comprehensive Plan 5
Planning is about People 5
Planning is about Livability 5
Planning is about Economy and Employment 5
Planning is about the Natural Environment 5
Planning is about Compatibility, Character, Form, Efficiency, and Aesthetics 6
Planning is about Community Facilities and Services 6
Planning is about Cooperation and Coordination 7
Final Note 7
2 Data Retrieval and Management for Community Analyses 8
Identifying and Collecting Data 8
Demographic Data 9
Online Sources of Demographic Data 9
Retrieving Demographic Data 10
Economic Data 12
Online Sources of Economic Data 12
Retrieving Economic Data 13
Analyzing Data 13
Historical Change Technique 14
Comparative Technique 14
Compositional Technique 15
Associational Technique 15
Presenting Data 15
Types of Graphs 16
vi CONTENTS
General Data Presentation Guidelines 18
Final Note 19
Exercises 19
3 Demographic Analysis 21
Relationship of Demographic Information to Community Development and
Comprehensive Planning 21
Planning Interrelationships 21
Housing 22
Labor Force and Economy 22
Community Facilities and Services 22
Transportation 22
Key Elements of a Demographic Analysis 23
Variables Included in a Demographic Analysis and their Sources 23
The Fundamentals of Demographic Analysis 23
Total Population 24
Age 26
Race and Ethnic Origin 30
Gender 30
Income and Poverty 34
Educational Attainment 37
Population Estimation and Projection 38
Population Estimation 38
Dwelling Unit Method 38
School Enrollment Method 38
Population Projection 39
Ratio Method 39
Component Method 39
Trend Extrapolation Methods 45
Linear Curve 45
Geometric Curve 46
Parabolic Curve 46
Accuracy Comparison of Trend Extrapolation Methods 46
Final Note 46
Exercises 48
4 Housing Analysis 51
Relationship of Housing Information to Community Development and Comprehensive Planning 51
Planning Interrelationships 52
Impact of Population Change on Housing Variables 52
Impact of Housing Unit Change on Population 53
Key Elements of a Housing Analysis 53
Variables Included in a Housing Analysis and their Sources 53
The Fundamentals of Housing Analysis 53
Household Population and Group Quarters Population 53
CONTENTS vii
Total Households and Total Housing Units 54
Households by Annual Income 54
Household Size (Persons per Housing Unit) 54
Types of Housing Units 55
Housing Tenure (Owners and Renters) 55
Housing Unit Occupancy and Vacancy 56
Age of Housing Units 57
Physical Condition of Housing Units 57
Cost and Value of Housing Units 59
Housing for Special Populations 59
Housing Affordability 60
Housing Needs and Planning Assessment 62
Consolidated Plans 63
Final Note 65
Exercises 65
5 Economic Analysis 68
Relationship of Economic Information to Community Development and
Comprehensive Planning 68
Planning Interrelationships 68
Housing 68
Demographics 68
Community Facilities and Services 69
Transportation 69
Spatial Development 69
Sustainable Development 69
Key Elements of an Economic Analysis 70
Variables Included in an Economic Analysis and their Sources 70
The Fundamentals of Economic Analysis 70
Employment Status 70
Wages and Benefits 72
Geography of Employment 76
Occupations 77
Employer Data 79
Scale and Renewal 79
Linkages 80
Composition and Diversity 83
Change and Competitiveness 88
Economic Projection 91
Base Multiplier 91
Trend Extrapolation 92
Constant Share 92
Final Note 92
Exercises 93
viii CONTENTS
6 Environmental Analysis 96
Relationship of Environmental Information to Community Development and
Comprehensive Planning 96
Planning Interrelationships 97
Housing 97
Transportation 97
Community Facilities and Services 97
Public Open Space 98
Sustainable Development 98
Land Use 98
Labor Force and Economy 98
Key Elements of an Environmental Analysis 98
Variables Included in an Environmental Analysis and their Sources 98
The Fundamentals of Environmental Analysis 99
Air 99
Air Pollution 99
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions 104
Land 106
Soil 107
Erosion 109
Hazard 110
Topography 111
Economic Geologic Resources 113
Land Analysis 113
Water 115
Water Quality Analysis 115
Water Quantity Analysis 120
Final Note 122
Exercises 123
Appendix 6.1 126
7 Community Facilities and Services Analysis 129
Relationship of Community Facilities and Services Information to Community
Development and Comprehensive Planning 129
Key Elements of a Community Facilities and Services Analysis 130
Elements Included in a Community Facilities and Services Analysis 130
The Fundamentals of Community Facilities and Services Analysis 130
Schools 130
The Impact of Residential Development on Schools 132
Estimating Long-Range School Facility Needs 134
Libraries 135
Parks and Recreation 136
Level-of-Service Standards 136
Projection of Future Acreage Needs 136
Development Impact Analysis 137
CONTENTS ix
Proximity of Parks to Population Served 137
Public Safety Facilities and Services 138
Police and Law Enforcement 138
Fire and Rescue 138
Emergency Medical Service 139
Utility-Type Operations 139
Water 139
Wastewater 140
Stormwater Management 140
Capital Improvement Programming 141
Evaluating Facilities 141
Prioritizing Projects 143
Estimating Capital Costs 143
Development Impact Fees 143
Legal Authority and Basis 145
Facility Planning Prerequisites 145
Service Areas 145
Political Acceptance 146
Calculating Impact Cost 146
Establishing and Adopting the Impact Fee 146
Final Note 147
Exercises 147
8 Transportation System Analysis 151
Relationship of Transportation to Community Development and Comprehensive Planning 151
Planning Interrelationships 151
Housing 151
Economy 151
Demographics 152
Natural Environment 152
Land Use 152
Key Elements of Transportation System Analysis 152
Data for Transportation Planning 152
American Community Survey 152
Census Transportation Planning Products (CTPPs) 153
Traffic Counts and Future Volumes 153
The Fundamentals of Transportation System Analysis 154
Transportation Modes 154
Functional Classifications of Roads 154
Transportation Analysis Zones 155
The Traditional Four-Step Transportation Planning Model 156
Trip Generation 157
Trip Distribution 158
Modal Split 158
Trip Assignment 158
