1. Not your grandma’s Comp Plan
Silvia E. Vargas, AICP, LEED AP
Senior Associate
APA FL 2015 – Hollywood
Web‐based plans and other new plan formats

2. My first job
Comp Plan = 3 volumes / LDRs = 2 volumes

5. Take‐aways
• Range of choices in new plan formats
• How they differ from conventional plan document
• How to decide if they’re right for your community
• How to decide which option best works for you

6. Why care?
• Americans’ internet
access/ use near
saturation*
* For certain groups (Pew Research Center, 2000‐2015:
http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/06/26/americans‐internet‐
access‐2000‐2015/
http://content.gallup.com/origin/gallupinc/GallupSpaces
/Production/Cms/POLL/l‐fveinwpuktheez9sf7sg.png

7. Why care?
• Adults’ attention
space has shrunk by
about 50 percent *
* Statistic Brain Research Insitute – Attention Span
Statistics, 4/2/2015
http://www.statisticbrain.com/attention‐span‐statistics/
5 minutes long.
http://brandongaille.com/average‐attention‐span‐statistics‐and‐trends/

8. Why care?
• Plans less static – more frequent updates
• New media and formats
– More flexible
– More engaging
– Wider reach

9. Why care?
• No loss of technical rigor
http://www.connectourfuture.org/wp‐content/uploads/2015/01/CONNECT‐
BP‐Building‐a‐Preferred‐Growth‐Concept.pdf

10. Plan Format Options

11. • Print
– Luxury (coffee table) edition
https://www.austintexas.gov/department/imagine‐austin‐download‐center

12. • Print
– Abridged document (Executive summary,
magazine, pamphlets)
WRT

13. • Digital publishing
– Flat *.pdf documents
http://www.dentonplan2030.com/wp‐content/themes/dentonsustain/library/pdf/Denton2030_PUBLIC_DRAFT_082914_SCREEN.pdf

14. • Digital publishing
– Flipbook platforms (*.pdf to Flash, e.g., Issuu)
http://issuu.com/wrtdesign/docs/futurefortsmith_final_plan_120414/1

15. • Digital publishing
– Interactive *.pdf document (e.g., bookmarks,
hyperlinks, cross‐references, even sound or video)
http://www.planitulsa.org/files/Searchable‐070910%20pdf.pdf

16. • Digital publishing
– Dynamic webpage (CMS, e.g., WordPress)
http://planhouston.org/

17. • Digital publishing
– Dynamic webpage (CMS, e.g., WordPress)
http://communityplan.dublinohiousa.gov/land‐use/the‐land‐use‐plan/

18. • Digital publishing
– Mobile device friendliness
WRT

19. • Organization
– Traditional
http://communityplan.dublinohiousa.gov/land‐use/the‐land‐use‐plan/

20. • Organization
– Systems Framework
http://planhouston.org/core‐strategies

21. • Organization
– Webmapping (e.g., ESRI Story Maps)
http://planphilly.com/eyesonthestreet/2014/05/14/planning‐logan‐empowering‐logan‐residents‐through‐neighborhood‐planning

22. • Organization
– Toolkit
http://www.connectourfuture.org/tools/

23. • Organization
– Toolkit
http://www.connectourfuture.org/tools/

24. Final Considerations

25. • No less work or cost (often more)
• Set goals and plan ahead
• Identify your audience (elected official v. technician v.
Joe Public)
• Determine legal constraints (adoption, amendments)
• Set aside adequate resources (development,
maintenance)
• Develop concept(s) & themes (organization/structure)
• Keep in mind training (continuity)

26. Thank You!
svargas@wrtdesign.com
305.389.4737
Thank You!
svargas@wrtdesign.com
305.389.4737