Local Infrastructure Planning Toolkit

Comprehensive / General Plan

1920s - now

A long-range plan establishing a city's overall goals and policies for land use, transportation, housing, environmental resources, infrastructure, etc.

It coordinates different planning decisions and provides a framework for future development.

Infrastructure Program or Capital Needs Study

An assessment of what infrastructure a community currently has, what condition it is in, what new infrastructure will be needed, and approximately how much it will cost.

Converts broad planning goals into specific infrastructure needs and financial requirements.

What infrastructure do we need, and how much will it cost?

Sustainability / Climate Action Plan

1990s- now

A plan identifying strategies to reduce environmental impacts, particularly greenhouse-gas emissions, and promote sustainable development.

Connects infrastructure and land-use decisions to climate mitigation, such as reducing automobile dependence, improving transit, increasing energy efficiency, or transitioning to renewable energy.

Climate Adaptation Plan

A plan for preparing communities and infrastructure for climate impacts that are occurring or expected to occur.

Focuses on living with climate impacts

For example, flood protection, wildlife preparation, extreme heat, and water supply resilience

Capital Improvements Plan (CIP)

A multi-year plan identifying major public infrastructure investments and when/how they will be funded.

For example, new roads, sewer upgrades, transit facilities, parks, and public buildings

Connects planning goals to actual spending and infrastructure construction.

Annual Capital Budget

The government's yearly authorization of money for capital projects.

Turns the longer-term CIP into actual annual expenditures.

Life-Cycle Cost Analysis

Evaluating the total cost of infrastructure over its entire life, rather than just its initial construction cost.

Includes: Construction, maintenance, operation, repair, replacement, disposal/decommissioning

Prevents planners from choosing something simply because it is cheap to build when it will be extremely expensive to maintain.

Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO)

Late 20th cen.

A local regulation requiring development to demonstrate that sufficient public infrastructure/facilities exist—or will be provided—before development can proceed.

Can concern roads, water, sewers, schools, and other public facilities

An attempt to prevent development from occurring faster than infrastructure capacity.

Asset Management Systems & GIS

1990s - now

Systems that track infrastructure assets, including where they are, their condition, age, maintenance history, etc., will often using GIS.

Helps governments prioritize maintenance, replacement, and investment based on actual infrastructure conditions.