Guide to Community Planning in Wisconsin by Brian W. Ohm

Chapter 1:  Introduction to Community Planning
      Last Page          Table of Contents        Next Page 

2.2.4  Defining Community Goals and Objectives

Some Basic Planning Terms
1. Goals:  The purpose or end that provides direction for community decisions.
2. Policy:  Rules that guide the actions of the community.
3. Objectives:  Specific, attainable, and measurable statements of the actions the community will take to carry out a plan.

Community goals (or vision) and objectives are detailed descriptions of how the community would like to be in the future. Although establishing community goals and objectives may occur prior to or simultaneously with data collection and analysis, it is usually preferable to have the data collected before developing goals for the future.

Community goals and objectives must be defined by the community. For this reason, effective citizen participation is critical during this stage of plan development. The data and analysis should be used to inform and educate decision makers and citizens on the realistic opportunities and constraints affecting the future of the community.

An Example of the Relationship of a "Goal" to "Policy"

Goals:  Ensure that existing and future land use developments maintain or improve the environment in a high quality manner, such that all citizens may share the social, economic, aesthetic, and physical benefits of the region.

Policy:  
1. Encourage coordinated, effective, energy efficient, and aesthetic land use development in a growth centered format where new growth is funneled into and adjacent to existing developments.
2.  Provide ample land and facilities for the economic and residential growth of the region in order to maintain and improve, where needed, the economic and physical well being of our citizens.

Questions should be asked of the community. For instance, how does the community see itself now as well as in the future? What problems does it have to overcome? And, how can its opportunities and assets be exploited and enhanced?

Once formulated, the goals and objectives serve as a basis for designing community plans and programs. Community goals can be formulated by trained professionals or can evolve from surveys or group discussions.

It is important, however, to note that citizen participation will not drive all of the goals and objectives. Many of them will be defined by the findings of the data collection and analysis stage. For example, the data collected may identify the need for more affordable housing. The ensuing analysis would discuss why having housing that is suitable for the different stages of a person’s life cycle is central to helping foster a sense of community. Based on this, policies for a suitable range of housing types should be included in the plan. These policies would then help to guide decisions on residential development.