Comprehensive Planning Materials

The Division of Statewide Planning is committed to assisting municipalities in crafting comprehensive plans that are effective at guiding local decision making and are an embodiment of the State’s goals and policies.  The Division has created the below materials to facilitate the comprehensive planning process.  If you have any questions about the materials, or would like to request a specific resource become available, please contact Kevin Nelson

Looking for other materials? Try the Planning Resource Library

Introduction to the Comprehensive Planning Standards and Guidance Handbook Series

Comprehensive Planning Guidance Handbook Series

The Comprehensive Planning Guidance Handbook Series is an accompaniment to the Rhode Island Comprehensive Planning Standards Manual, which sets forth guidance for State approval of comprehensive plans.

• Guidance Handbook No. 1 – The Comprehensive Plan 101
  describes what a comprehensive plan is, why it is important and what it consists of.
• Guidance Handbook No. 2 – Planning for Natural Resources
• Guidance Handbook No. 3 – Planning for Recreation
• Guidance Handbook No. 4 – Planning for Historic and Cultural Resources
• Guidance Handbook No. 5 – Planning for Housing
• Guidance Handbook No. 6 – Planning for Economic Development
• Guidance Handbook No. 7 – Planning for Agriculture
• Guidance Handbook No. 8 – Planning for Services and Facilities
• Guidance Handbook No. 9 – Planning for Energy
• Guidance Handbook No. 10 – Planning for Water Supply
• Guidance Handbook No. 11 – Planning for Transportation
• Guidance Handbook No. 12 – Planning for Natural Hazards and Climate Change
• Guidance Handbook No. 13 – Planning for Land Use
• Guidance Handbook No. 14 – The Implementation Program
• Guidance Handbook No. 15 – Mapping for Comprehensive Plans - GIS layer files
  provides information relative to the comprehensive plan’s required maps.
• Guidance Handbook No. 16 – The Comprehensive Planning Process
  discusses the process of crafting a comprehensive plan, including who should be involved and what steps to undertake.

The Division has compiled data fact sheets for all municipalities with the most recent available data for 2017.

Barrington	Hopkinton	Portsmouth
Bristol	Jamestown	Providence
Burrillville	Johnston	Richmond
Central Falls	Lincoln	Scituate
Charlestown	Little Compton	Smithfield
Coventry	Middletown	South Kingstown
Cranston	Narragansett	Tiverton
Cumberland	Newport	Warren
East Greenwich	New Shoreham	Warwick
East Providence	North Kingstown	West Greenwich
Exeter	North Providence	West Warwick
Foster	North Smithfield	Westerly
Glocester	Pawtucket	Woonsocket

 

Mapping for Comprehensive Plans

The Division has created GIS layer files to assist municipalities in complying with the Comprehensive Planning Standards related to mapping.  To download the files, view directions on using the files and for necessary query text, go to the GIS Layers page for all instructions.