National Community Planning Month 2026

Every October, communities across the country recognize National Community Planning Month, a time to celebrate the people and communities working to create better places to live, work, build a business, and raise a family. For rural communities, planning is especially important because resources are typically limited, opportunities can be few, and decisions made today can have a lasting impact for decades.

National Community Planning Month is a good time to sit back and contemplate the impact that planning can have on your community. As the American Planning Association’s website states:

“Planners work to improve the well-being of all people living in our communities by taking a comprehensive perspective. This approach leads to safer, resilient, more equitable, and more prosperous communities. We celebrate the role that planning plays in creating great communities in October with National Community Planning Month.“

Learn more about National Community Planning Month at www.planning.org/ncpm.

Planning Is About More Than Land Use

What comes to mind when many people hear the word “planning” is zoning, subdivisions, setbacks, and where buildings can be constructed. While those things are important, community planning is much bigger than land use.

Viable planning addresses housing, economic development, downtown revitalization, parks and trails, transportation infrastructure, tourism, historic preservation, community facilities, quality of life, and many other topics. It helps a community understand how all of these issues piece together in the greater mosaic that is a community.

For a small town, consideration of that bigger picture matters. New developments may affect roads or water capacity. A new trail may create opportunities for downtown businesses. A downtown building renovation may become an anchor for tourism. Planning helps communities see these connections before decisions are made. When resources are tight, and the right decisions matter more than ever, having the right insight is crucial.

Read More on Planning this Month

Rural Resurrection will do our part during National Community Planning Month, providing a series of posts specifically dedicated to planning in October. But for those who can’t wait, here are a few from the past to quench your thirst.

Hiring a Planning Consultant

Hiring a planning consultant for your community can be a daunting process. We’ll interview consultants on the right way to hire a consultant.

Effective Strategic Planning

The impact of strategic plans is often limited by poor execution of the planning process. Let’s look at some ways to make that planning process better.

What is a Bypass Impact Study?

There are few critical turning points for communities, highway bypasses are one of them. It’s important to do a bypass impact study for this turning point in a community’s future.

5 Specific Area Plans to Consider

Many states require a comprehensive plan or master plan for communities as a basis for zoning and land use decisions. However, there are a host of other plans a community should consider. Some of these “specific area” plans are often recommended in the community’s comprehensive plan, and your community should look into using them.

Now, after you thank your local planner (preferably with chocolate, coffee, …or a delicious combination of the two), go to that bookcase and dust off your existing community plans. Sit down and actually read them. Don’t just look at the goals or the renderings and reminisce about the dreams that were envisioned during the planning process. Read it thoroughly to know it inside and out. You’ll have a better appreciation for the plan and will be in a better position to help make it a reality.