The Effectiveness of Metropolitan Planning

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

The JOINT CENTER FOR URBAN STUDIES OF THE
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY,

Hon. EDMUND S. MUSKIE,

AND HARVARD UNIVERSITY, Cambridge, Mass., January 31, 1964.

Chairman, Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Relations of the Committee on Government Operations, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C.

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: There is transmitted herewith a report on "The Effectiveness of Metropolitan Planning" in the United States. The study was undertaken on June 1, 1963, and completed on January 31, 1964.

It is hoped that the information contained in this study will be useful to members of the subcommittee and to Congress as background information on legislative matters affecting the orderly growth and development of the urban areas in the Nation. Should you desire it, we will be happy to come to Washington to testify on any matters contained in the report.

CHARLES M. HAAR, Project Director.

Contributors

FRANK C. COLCORD, Jr.

RALPH W. CONANT

ALAN L. FELD

MARCIA M. FELD

ROBERT FOGELSON

BERNARD FRIEDEN

BARBARA G. HERING

STEPHEN LEFKOWITZ

WILLIAM W. NASH

FRANCINE E. RABINOVITZ

BRADBURY SEASHOLES

TERRY STEINHART

PREFACE

In the spring of 1962 the Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Relations took initial steps toward planning a broad and long-range project looking at metropolitan planning activities. Hearings were held in May 1963 on legislation to provide for more effective utilization. of certain Federal grants and loans by encouraging coordinated local review of State and local applications and better areawide planning on a continuing basis. This measure, S. 855, passed the Senate on January 23, 1964.

In May 1963 the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration authorized the Committee on Government Operations to enter into a contract with the Joint Center for Urban Studies of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University to provide further information on metropolitan planning. The subcommittee was subsequently given this responsibility.

Two other studies prepared for the subcommittee, in the meantime, have already been printed. The "National Survey of Metropolitan Planning," prepared by the U.S. Housing and Home Finance Agency, includes a complete tabulation and analysis of the organization and functions of all existing metropolitan and regional planning agencies with jurisdiction in standard metropolitan statistical areas. The second, "The Impact of Federal Urban Development Programs on Local Government Organization and Planning," was prepared in cooperation with the subcommittee by the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations. This report asks and answers two important questions: First, to what extent do urban financial aids promote the creation of special districts or otherwise affect the structure of local government? Second, to what extent do these programs use performance standards that require the coordination of federally aided projects with local decisions and comprehensive development plans?

The joint center study published here examines planning as a tool for the orderly growth and development of urban areas and for achieving more harmonious intergovernmental relationships within metropolitan areas. In Senate Resolution 45 of the 88th Congress, agreed to March 14, 1963, the Senate authorized the expenditure of $15,000 for the purposes of this report. In broad outline this muchneeded study examines the purposes of metropolitan planning, its current status, and its effectiveness. It also sets forth criteria for metropolitan planning procedures and recommends new legislative and administrative arrangements.

More specifically, this survey, "The Effectiveness of Metropolitan Planning❞—

Discusses the aims and functions that, as a general rule, could be adopted by a metropolitan planning agency;

Explores the political difficulties and advantages relating to the establishment and proper functioning of areawide planning bodies;

Suggests desirable relationships among metropolitan planning units and Federal, State, and local governments, special districts, and the public-with special emphasis on the need for developing a regional viewpoint;

Reviews and analyzes the responses to the HHFA questionnaire;

Examines in detail the regional planning enabling statutes of the States;

Evaluates the Advisory Commission's model bill for Stateenabling legislation for establishing metropolitan planning agencies;

Recommends action for consideration by the States, the Congress, and the executive branch in order to achieve more effective metropolitan planning and development;

Outlines the scope of authority needed by different metropolitan planning agencies and explores their internal organization, including their composition and powers; and

Deals with the problem of financing and staffing an effective metropolitan planning program, and explores alternative sources of financial support.

This study will assist in formulating additional recommendations with respect to the Federal Government's role in the area of metropolitan affairs. It does not necessarily reflect the subcommittee's findings, opinions, or recommendations. It represents the work and viewpoint of competent specialists and will serve only as further background material in our preparation for future hearings and as outside suggestions to be considered in concert with other extensive information already gathered. The subcommittee will always feel free to accept, reject, or amend reports submitted by contracting organizations.

EDMUND S. MUSKIE, Chairman, Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Relations.