ABSTRACT
Kirkwood, Missouri, will soon be observing its 125th anniversary. In order to keep this first planned suburban residential area west of the Mississippi River on its unerring chart of success and prosperity, its legislative body and management team came together about 18 months ago to develop a compilation of visions and strategic plans for its future. The city contracted with the Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA), a private, nonprofit organization based in Chicago to conduct its strategic planning session. The exercise was conducted over a day-and-a-half period utilizing facilitators from ICA. It was generally felt by all participants that having professionals involved in this first time effort, providing limits, guidelines and leadership, was vital to the success of the endeavour. Land use, how Kirkwood has been developed and how it will be developed in the next 20 years, was identified as a key issue.
