Issues such as community competitiveness have a strong impact on outside investors, which is another reason why urban planners must take advantage of a wide range of techniques. Urban planners can encourage economic development via a multi-stage process: analysis of need, analysis of risk, and analysis of potential investors. As it relates to urban planning, sustainable development combines socially and environmentally responsible initiatives. Those initiatives must also be proven to stimulate economic growth and development in the community. Some government incentives may be offered directly for the purposes of creating and implementing sustainable development programs for communities. Land-use planning is one key facet of sustainable urban development. Controlling sprawl, implementing local and regional public transportation systems, and ensuring investments in clean water are other sustainable development issues related to urban planning. Progressive urban planners...

Training programs and education programs for residents, incentives for sustainable business plans that directly impact the community, and the creation of community centers and outreach organizations are all ways urban planners can create progressive and sustainable communities ("Urban Planning and Sustainable Development," 2007).