ABSTRACT
The comprehensive plan is the only public document that describes the community as a whole in terms of its complex and mutually supporting networks. As a policy statement of long-term goals, it provides both a broad perspective and a guide to short-term community decisions. The main difference between a strategic plan and a comprehensive plan is that the strategic plan focuses on a few selected issues and the specific steps taken to resolve the issues, while a comprehensive plan is—well—comprehensive. The most important element of strategic plan development, as with comprehensive plan development, is participation of all affected members of the community. Another type of plan we may encounter is the special area or system plan. Examples of special area plans include plans for such areas as the central business district, a waterfront or riverside in a particular part of the community, an industrial district, civic and cultural centers, a neighborhood, or a set of neighborhoods with common problems.
