Comprehensive Planning

The nation’s capital is a unique region with special needs. Unlike any other city in the nation, Washington, D.C. serves as the center of the federal government, a hub for foreign missions and international organizations, and a prime visitor attraction. Supporting these special functions while also setting the standard for universal issues such as transportation, preservation, and open space, requires a sound and forward-thinking comprehensive plan.

After reviewing comments from federal and local governments, professional organizations, and the public, the Commission adopted the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital: Federal Elements in August 2004. The document addresses changes in the nation’s capital that have taken place since the plan’s last publication in the 1980s. It provides a strong blueprint for planning and development in the National Capital Region for the next 20 years. 

The Comprehensive Plan is comprised of seven elements representing the most significant factors in national capital planning:

• Federal Workplace
• Foreign Missions and International Organizations
• Transportation
• Parks and Open Space
• Federal Environment
• Preservation and Historic Features
• Visitors

Through these elements, NCPC establishes new goals and policies for future federal development in the National Capital Region. Although each element can stand alone, the full collection creates a planning framework connected by three central goals: accommodating federal and national activities, reinforcing smart growth, and supporting coordination with local and regional governments. The Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital: Federal Elements is available as a Portable Document Format (PDF). To obtain a printed copy, please email your request to info@ncpc.gov or call 202-482-7200.

Related Studies

As part of its preparation for the Foreign Missions Element of the Comprehensive Plan, NCPC commissioned Stephen S. Fuller, Professor of Public Policy at George Mason University, to undertake a study on the economic impact of foreign missions in the District and surrounding region. The findings of that study are contained in the report Economic and Fiscal Impact of Foreign Missions on the Nation's Capital.

A study released by the National Capital Planning Commission finds that federal contract and procurement spending has been one of the most important forces driving the Washington-area economy during the past decade. The findings stand in sharp contrast to the widespread impression that the role of the federal government in the region’s increasingly diversified economy is shrinking. See the full study: Federal Procurement Study and/or a summary of the study: the Federal Procurement Study Summary.

The District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan were developed under the Mayor’s auspices and were subject to NCPC review prior to adoption by the Council of the District of Columbia.