Table Of ContentFundamentals of Plan Making
Urban and regional planning programs aspire to prepare practitioners to write and implement comprehensive plans. Yet, academic
planning programs often place greater emphasis on theory than practice. To help address this gap, Fundamentals of Plan Making
gives planning students an understanding of research and methods of analysis that apply to comprehensive planning. Its informative
text and examples will help students develop familiarity with various data sources and acquire the knowledge and ability to conduct
basic planning analyses such as population projections, housing needs assessments, development impact analyses, and land-use plans.
Students will also learn how to implement the various citizen participation methods used by planners and develop an appreciation of
the values and roles of practicing planners.
In this revised second edition, Edward Jepson and Jerry Weitz bring their extensive experience as practicing planners and teaching
faculty to give planning students the practical, hands-on tools they need to create and implement real plans and policies. With an
entirely new census data set, expanded discussions of sustainability and other topics, as well as new online resources—including a
companion website—the book is now more accessible and more informative, and its updated chapters on transportation, housing,
environment, economic development, and other core planning elements also make it a handy reference for planning practitioners.
Edward J. Jepson, Jr. is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and holds a Master of Regional Planning
(MRP) degree from the Pennsylvania State University and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in urban and regional planning
from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Over the past 30 years, he has worked as the executive director of two nonprofit
development organizations, a community planning and development consultant, a planning professor at the University of Tennessee,
and is currently teaching at several major universities in the U.S. His research and scholarly work have focused on planning for
sustainability, and his teaching experience includes courses on planning methods, economic development, planning theory, urban
studies, and environmental planning.
Jerry Weitz is a Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners (FAICP) and holds a Ph.D. in urban studies, a Master of City
Planning degree, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and history. He has worked for city, county, regional, and state
governments during his career, which spans 30 years. Since 2001, as president and principal of his own planning consulting firm,
Jerry Weitz & Associates, Inc., he has prepared numerous local comprehensive plans and land-use regulations. From 2010 to 2015, he
was associate professor and director of the urban and regional planning program at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC, where
he taught land-use planning, land-use regulation, historic preservation planning, planning practice studio, and ecological landscape
planning. From 2001 to 2014, Weitz was editor of the only member publication of the American Institute of Certified Planners
(AICP), Practicing Planner.
“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
FUNDAMENTALS OF PLAN MAKING
Methods and Techniques
Second Edition
Edward J. Jepson, Jr. and Jerry Weitz
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. Jepso n, 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 assessm ent.
Classification: LCC HT166.J48 2020 (print) | LCC HT166 (ebook ) |
DDC 307.1/216–dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.g ov/2020029104
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/20200291 05
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://ejjplanning.wixsite.com/fundamentals
Contents
List of Figures
List of Tables
List of Boxes
Websites (alphabetical)
Preface to the 2nd Edition
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1 An Introduction to the Comprehensive Plan
What Is a Comprehensive Plan?
Reasons to Create a Comprehensive Plan
Planning Is about People
Planning Is about Livability
Planning Is about Economy and Employment
Planning Is about the Natural Environment
Planning Is about Compatibility, Character, Form, Efficiency, and Aesthetics
Planning Is about Community Facilities and Services
Planning Is about Cooperation and Coordination
Final Note
References
Further Reading
2 Data Retrieval and Management for Community Analyses
Identifying and Collecting Data
Demographic Data
Online Sources of Demographic Data
Retrieving Demographic Data
Advanced Search Option
Profile Search Option
Other Search Options
Table Printing
Economic Data
Online Sources of Economic Data
Retrieving Economic Data
Analyzing Data
Historical Change Technique
Comparative Technique
Compositional Technique
Associational Technique
Presenting Data
Types of Graphs
General Data Presentation Guidelines
Final Note
Exercises
Notes
Further Reading
3 Demographic Analysis
Relationship of Demographic Information to Community Development and Comprehensive Planning
Planning Interrelationships
Housing
Labor Force and Economy
Community Facilities and Services
Transportation
Key Elements of a Demographic Analysis
Variables Included in a Demographic Analysis and Their Sources
The Fundamentals of Demographic Analysis
Total Population
Age
Race and Ethnic Origin
Gender
Income and Poverty
Educational Attainment
Population Estimation and Projection
Population Estimation
Dwelling Unit Method
School Enrollment Method
Population Projection
Ratio Method
Component Method
Trend Extrapolation Methods
Linear Curve
Geometric Curve
Parabolic Curve
Accuracy Comparison of Trend Extrapolation Methods
Final Note
Exercises
Notes
References
Further Reading
4 Housing Analysis
Relationship of Housing Information to Community Development and Comprehensive Planning
Planning Interrelationships
Impact of Population Change on Housing Variables
Impact of Housing Unit Change on Population
Key Elements of a Housing Analysis
Variables Included in a Housing Analysis and their Sources
The Fundamentals of Housing Analysis
Household Population and Group Quarters Population
Total Households and Total Housing Units
Households by Annual Income
Household Size (Persons per Housing Unit)
Types of Housing Units
Housing Tenure (Owners and Renters)
Housing Unit Occupancy and Vacancy
Age of Housing Units
Physical Condition of Housing Units
Cost and Value of Housing Units
Housing for Special Populations
Housing Affordability
Housing Needs and Planning Assessment
Consolidated Plans
Final Note
Exercises
Notes
References
Further Reading
5 Economic Analysis
Relationship of Economic Information to Community Development and Comprehensive Planning
Planning Interrelationships
Housing
Demographics
Community Facilities and Services
Transportation
Spatial Development
Sustainable Development
Key Elements of an Economic Analysis
Variables Included in an Economic Analysis and their Sources
The Fundamentals of Economic Analysis
Employment Status
Wages and Benefits
Geography of Employment
Occupations
Employer Data
Scale and Renewal
Linkages
Composition and Diversity
Change and Competitiveness
Economic Projection
Base Multiplier
Trend Extrapolation
Constant Share
Final Note
Exercises
Notes
References
Further Reading
6 Environmental Analysis
Relationship of Environmental Information to Community Development and Comprehensive Planning
Planning Interrelationships
Housing
Transportation
Community Facilities and Services
Public Open Space
Sustainable Development
Land Use
Labor Force and Economy
Key Elements of an Environmental Analysis
Variables Included in an Environmental Analysis and Their Sources
The Fundamentals of Environmental Analysis
Air
Air Pollution
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions
Land
Soil
Erosion
Hazard
Topography
Economic Geologic Resources
Land Analysis
Water
Water Quality Analysis
Final Note
Exercises
Notes
Appendix 6.1
References
Further Reading
7 Community Facilities and Services Analysis
Relationship of Community Facilities and Services Information to Community Development and Comprehensive
Planning
Key Elements of a Community Facilities and Services Analysis
Elements Included in a Community Facilities and Services Analysis
The Fundamentals of Community Facilities and Services Analysis
Schools
The Impact of Residential Development on Schools
Estimating Long-Range School Facility Needs
Libraries
Parks and Recreation
Level-of-Service Standards
Projection of Future Acreage Needs
Development Impact Analysis
Proximity of Parks to Population Served
Public Safety Facilities and Services
Police and Law Enforcement
Fire and Rescue
Emergency Medical Service
Utility-Type Operations
Water
Wastewater
Stormwater Management
Capital Improvement Programming
Evaluating Facilities
Estimating Capital Costs
Prioritizing Projects
Benefit–cost Analysis
Development Impact Fees
Legal Authority and Basis
Facility Planning Prerequisites
Service Areas
Political Acceptance
Calculating Impact Cost
Establishing and Adopting the Impact Fee
Final Note
Exercises
Notes
References
Further Reading
8 Transportation System Analysis
Relationship of Transportation to Community Development and Comprehensive Planning
Planning Interrelationships
Housing
Economy
Demographics
Natural Environment
Land Use
Key Elements of Transportation System Analysis
Data for Transportation Planning
American Community Survey
Census Transportation Planning Products (CTPPs)
Traffic Counts and Future Volumes
The Fundamentals of Transportation System Analysis
Transportation Modes
Functional Classifications of Roads
Transportation Analysis Zones
