Regional Plan Association

Regional Plan Association is perhaps the most influential planning and policy organization in America. Formed in 1922 as a non-governmental organization, its mission was to generate long-range, comprehensive plans large based on the philosophy of “Metropolitanism.” Whereas the first regional plan in 1929 largely focused on multi-modal transportation solutions and park space, the organization continued to expand its research and policy recommendations to all sociological, economic, and ecological issues effecting the tri-state metropolitan era. The recently released Fourth Region Plan perhaps best encapsulates how University of Chicago professor Robert Havighurst defined Metropolitanism: a “kind of civic morality, which regards the entire metropolitan area as a civic responsibility of the citizens no matter where they live and vote in local elections.” The plan’s holistic approach, and the process by which it was developed, speaks to a remarkable effort to keep one of the globe’s most important metropolitan region vital for generations to come.

Tedrowe Bonner sits on the board of the Connecticut Committee for Regional Plan Association, and works on issues involving Connecticut and its connection to the greater region. Rubicon Seven is pleased to be involved with Regional Plan Association’s efforts, and looks forward to many great years ahead.