Mission Statement
PlanSmart NJ is an independent civic action group committed to improving the quality of community life through sound land use planning and regional cooperation.
The Trenton-based nonprofit, nonpartisan organization recently changed its name. To read more about the name change, click here.
PlanSmart NJ pursues our mission by:
- Building coalitions of public and private interests for sound regional planning;
- Educating regional leaders on effective programs to protect and enhance the natural environment and improve the built environment
- Advocating common-sense land use policies for regions and the state as a whole
- Conducting research to support civic action on land development issues
Consensus & Leadership
PlanSmart NJ's success as a member-based organization depends on its ability to inspire, involve, and influence citizens of the central Jersey region. Through its programs, the Partnership can educate local and state officials, business executives, builders, environmentalists and other citizens about the relationship between policy decisions and the quality of life in our communities. By understanding the needs of these various constituencies, the Partnership finds common ground and builds a consensus on the future of the region.
Policy Positions & Advocacy
PlanSmart NJ takes leadership positions on important
public policy issues. After thoroughly researching the facts, PlanSmart NJ formulates
a position, using our regional perspective to inform it. In this way, the
Partnership seeks to solve disputes that divide public and private interests,
or disputes among various levels of government.
Position Papers
Tools & Research
PlanSmart NJ is a unique source of social, economic and environmental information about the central Jersey region collected since 1968, and more recently information about WMA 11, northern WMA 20, and northern DELEP municipalities. Through PlanSmart NJ's research, central New Jersey has become the State's testing ground for developing state-of-the-art programs for solving problems on the public agenda, such as affordable housing, urban revitalization, open space preservation, suburban mobility, and growth management. PlanSmart NJ's tools provide cutting edge solutions.