Regional Plan Association works toward a better future for the tri-state region.
1927 RPA Plan1 v1 New York Region Painted by Jules Guerine (cropped)

Celebrating a Century of Research, Planning, and Advocacy

The Committee on the Plan of New York and its Environs formed in 1922 and released the First Regional Plan in 1929. For 100 years, RPA has worked to create a more equitable, healthy, prosperous, and sustainable region.
Extra space RPA100 Logo

For 100 years, Regional Plan Association has guided the growth of the New York-New Jersey-Connecticut metropolitan region with long-range planning and insights. From the location and construction of the George Washington Bridge, the creation of Gateway National Recreation Area, the rebuilding of lower Manhattan after 9/11 and more, RPA is inextricably woven into the history of the tri-state area. Central to our work is the belief that communities can improve their efficiency and standard of living if they plan ahead for growth.

1923 New York Times on the Regional Plan scan

The first Committee on the Plan of New York and its Environs met in 1922. Seven years later in 1929, the first ever Regional Plan — ​“Regional Plan of New York and its Environs” — was published, and RPA was formally incorporated to implement the plan. Since then, some of RPA’s work has included independent research, planning, advocacy, vigorous public engagement, and a total of four regional plans.

100 years later, RPA is celebrating our centennial — ​‘RPA 100’ — from 2022 to 2029 by reflecting on the history of planning in the region while envisioning its future. We will unpack our storied history through events, papers, and engagement with the region’s residents - and outline how our story mirrors the history of the planning profession overall. As we reflect on RPA’s past, we look forward to ensuring our work contributes to a more equitable, healthy, prosperous, and sustainable region for the next 100 years.

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From 1922 to 2022

RPA Centennial 1 C Alexander Severin

The Constant Future

A Century of the Regional Plan
This exhibition brought a new way of seeing the New York metro region - and understanding its rise to greatness - to the majestic halls of Grand Central Terminal for three weeks in October, 2022.
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1949 RPA Comic cropped, new focal point

Timeline

Since 1922, Regional Plan Association has developed and promoted ideas to improve the economic health, environmental resiliency, and quality of life in the tri-state region.
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Regional Plans

RPA Regional Plan of New York and Environs Cover

Regional Plans

Since 1929, Regional Plan Association has released four long-range plans to guide the growth and development of the region.
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Nate Dorr

Nate Dorr

Nate Dorr

Nate Dorr

RPA Across the Region

Regional Plan Association has been active in the tri-state metropolitan region for nearly a century. As we celebrate our centennial, we are excited to highlight RPA’s contributions across the region. Below are some reflections on our contributions to the region’s built and natural environments.

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New York City

RPA helped build the foundation for urban planning in New York City in the 1930s and played a key role in some of the city’s most contentious planning proposals. RPA has consistently called for concentrating growth in centers like midtown Manhattan, downtown Brooklyn, and Jamaica, Queens, and consistently put forward solutions for tackling congestion.
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1987 Fairfield 2000 01 cropped

Connecticut

RPA supported the creation of the Merritt Parkway and the expansion of Sherwood Island State Park, undertook a massive community-centered project about housing and zoning in the 1980s called Fairfield 2000, and has remained a champion of the city Bridgeport, CT for decades.
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New Jersey

RPA has long advocated for investments in regional centers like Newark and Paterson, supported the acquisition of land to create and expand parks and open space, like Garret Mountain, Sandy Hook, and Sterling Forest, and sought to better connect New Jersey to the rest of the region.
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The Hudson Valley

RPA supported the expansion of parkland and protected open space like Bear Mountain and the Shawangunks, led a community-centered urban planning initiative in the 1980s called Westchester 2000, and continues to advocate for balancing open space preservation with community development.
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Long Island

RPA tried to discourage sprawl on Long Island in the late 1940s through reports and advocacy efforts, battled with Robert Moses over Fire Island and the Long Island Sound, and helped create Gateway National Recreation Area, the first US national park in an urban area.
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