Planning Techniques Used by Counties

Case Study: Governmental Relations in Urban Planning

Introduction

Two forms of local governments in the U.S. include cities and counties. Cities are more localized jurisdictions, typically governed by a mayor and city council, while counties are larger regions, with their own elected county commissioners, who have authority over services such as education, roads, and law enforcement (Sellers & Scharff, 2020). The form of local government has an enormous impact on planning. Cities and counties can develop long-term plans to address housing, economic development, transportation, and other issues important to their citizens (Atkinson, 2019). These plans are typically set by and for the local government, which can be especially beneficial in areas without state or federal planning initiatives. Additionally, cities and counties can create zoning laws that control how land is used and developed, as well as ordinances and regulations that guide how businesses operate, including noise and emissions control (Kim, 2020). This local-level planning and regulation can ensure that communities have access to amenities that meet the needs of their citizens while protecting their environment. This case study looks at two forms of local government—city and county—and discusses them in relation to urban planning and the biblical viewpoint.

Using the Planning Process

Both cities and counties use comprehensive planning to address long-term goals and outcomes (Bush & Doyon, 2019). In the case of this study, the local city and the local county selected are Cincinnati and Hamilton County. The city of Cincinnati and Hamilton County have both implemented comprehensive and incremental planning initiatives to address the needs of their citizens (Magnan, 2021; Wojcik et al., 2021). The city of Cincinnati has a 10-year Comprehensive Plan that outlines goals and strategies for housing, economic development, transportation, and other areas important to the city. This plan was developed through extensive public engagement, with input gathered from a range of citizens, businesses, and other stakeholders. Additionally, the city of Cincinnati is committed to promoting equity, inclusion, and racial justice in its policies and initiatives.

In Hamilton County, the Board of Commissioners adopted a ten-year strategic plan in 2019 that includes initiatives such as increasing access to quality education, expanding public transportation options, and promoting small business growth. The plan also focuses on improving the quality of life of citizens by investing in projects that promote health, safety, and access to resources. Furthermore, the plan is based on a principle of equity, aiming to ensure that all members of the community have access to the same opportunities and resources. This commitment to equity is reflected in the county's mission statement which states, “We strive for an equitable, diverse, and just community where everyone is valued and can thrive” (Dutt et al., 2022).

However, neither government makes much of an effort to turn to God for these plans. For a conservative state and region, one might think that Cincinnati and Hamilton County would recognize the importance of seeking guidance from God when making decisions that have a lasting impact on their citizens. After all, this is highlighted in Proverbs 3:5-6 which says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” This verse reminds us that it is essential to seek counsel and rely on God’s wisdom when making plans and strategizing for the future. Therefore, by looking to Scripture for guidance, local governments could create comprehensive plans that promote justice, equity, and wisdom for all—by going to the Source of all those qualities: God in Heaven. But they do not do this publicly.

Instead, comprehensive plans are usually developed over a period of several years and involve extensive public engagement, usually through public meetings and surveys. These plans can cover topics such as housing, land use, transportation, economic development, and environmental protection. Cities and counties often implement incremental planning as well, which is a shorter-term approach that focuses on specific projects or initiatives. Incremental planning is often used to implement the long-term goals of the broader comprehensive plan. The outcomes of these plans vary depending on the specific goals, but typically involve improved quality of life for citizens, a greater sense of community, and better access to resources.

In Cincinnati, incremental planning initiatives include efforts to improve public transit options, invest in affordable housing, develop green infrastructure, and more. Hamilton County also uses incremental planning to implement its strategic plan, with initiatives such as expanding access to quality healthcare, investing in workforce development, and promoting economic growth. These projects are designed to help the county fulfill its goal of providing equitable access to resources and opportunities for all citizens (Rogers et al., 2022).

In addition, local governments often use planning techniques to ensure equitable access to resources and opportunities for all people within their jurisdiction. This includes ensuring that policies are in place to promote inclusion, access to quality education, affordable housing, job opportunities, and health services for all. Local governments may also use planning techniques to develop strategies to support vulnerable populations, such as children and seniors, as well as minority communities.

Cincinnati and Hamilton County both use a range of planning techniques to achieve their desired outcomes. They both rely on public-private partnerships to bring resources and expertise from both the public and private sectors together in order to implement projects which would otherwise be too costly or complex to complete. Additionally, they both use citizen engagement to ensure that citizens are involved in the planning and decision-making process. This includes hosting public meetings, conducting surveys and public input sessions, and engaging stakeholders in meaningful dialogue. These techniques are used to ensure that all members of the community have an equal say in how their future is shaped.

This is consistent with most local governments, as in most cases, local governments rely on public-private partnerships to implement long-term plans, including projects to create jobs, build infrastructure, and stimulate economic growth. These partnerships are beneficial because they bring together resources and expertise from both the public and private sectors. This can often result in improved services and increased efficiency. For example, cities and counties may partner with private developers to fund and implement projects that would otherwise be too costly or complex to complete.

Integrating a Biblical Viewpoint

A biblical viewpoint behind the methodology chosen for local government planning is found in Proverbs 16:9 which says, "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." This verse highlights the importance of planning and forethought, but reminds us that ultimately, it is God who guides our steps and directs our paths. As local governments plan for the future, they should keep this in mind and recognize that although it is important to plan and create strategies, it is ultimately God who determines the outcome. Moreover, by looking to Scripture, we can see many examples of how good and effective planning can lead to positive outcomes (e.g., Nehemiah 2:12-20). Therefore, local governments should strive to plan in accordance with God's principles and seek wisdom in making decisions that have a lasting and positive impact on their citizens. Plus, local governments should strive to ensure that all members of the community have access to resources and opportunities, as exemplified by Jesus' ministry of compassion and justice for the marginalized and needy (Matthew 25:31-46). Thus, planning initiatives should be centered around putting into place policies, ordinances, and measures that promote equity and justice for all.

Ultimately, it is important that local governments are accountable to their citizens and strive to make decisions that best serve the common good. In Proverbs 11:14, we read that "where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." This reminds us that it is essential for local governments to seek counsel and advice in their planning decisions in order to ensure a wise outcome. By looking to Scripture for guidance, as well as engaging with citizens in meaningful dialogue, local governments can create comprehensive plans that promote justice, equity, and wisdom for all.

Cities and counties typically use both comprehensive and incremental planning when creating strategies to address their citizens' needs. Comprehensive planning is a long-term approach focused on creating plans for future development, typically conducted over several years. This type of planning provides a framework for cities and counties to make decisions about housing, economic development, transportation, and other issues vital to their citizens. Incremental planning is also important, as it is used to implement the goals of the comprehensive plan. In the biblical view of planning, Proverbs 15:22 says “Without counsel, plans fail; but with many advisers they succeed.” This reflects the importance of involving citizens in the planning process and utilizing the input of multiple stakeholders to ensure the success of planned initiatives.

Local governments must also remain accountable to their citizens, striving to make decisions that best serve the common good. This is echoed in James 3:17, which says “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy”. Local governments should recognize that their plans and actions should reflect these qualities in order to ensure that outcomes are beneficial for all. Thus, local governments should focus on creating plans with an emphasis on equity and justice, and seek wisdom in making decisions by looking to Scripture and engaging with citizens in meaningful dialogue.