Iowa Smart Planning

Iowa Smart Planning Principles

Comprehensive plans cover many topics. To help communities identify topics and make effective plans, the state created the Iowa Smart Planning Principles. Cities and counties are required to consider these guidelines, but they are not require to use all of them when planning efforts take place in the state. The principles are designed to guide planning toward solutions that enhance economic development, protect natural resources, and deliver services and quality of life to all people. The principles incorporated into this plan are:

1. Collaboration
2. Efficiency, Transparency, and Consistency
3. Clean, Renewable, Efficient Energy
4. Occupational Diversity
5. Revitalization
6. Housing Diversity
7. Community Character
8. Natural Resource and Agricultural Protection
9. Sustainable Design
10. Transportation Diversity

Additional information about some of the topics in a comprehensive plan will be provided soon. We will update this page with how to access this information when it is ready.