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We Are Planning for Downtown Columbia

We’ve recently kicked off the community planning process for a new strategic plan + design guidelines – and we want you to get involved!

Columbia Compass: Envision 2036

Columbia Compass: Envision 2036 is the comprehensive plan – or “blueprint” – for how Columbia, South Carolina will grow and develop over the next ten years.

The City of Columbia conducted research and public engagement on the community’s population, natural resources, land use, transportation, housing, community facilities, cultural resources and economy. The planning process kicked off in October 2018, and after robust public engagement, was adopted by City Council August 4, 2020. The plan acts as a guiding policy document for the City, and the recommendations of the plan will be developed for implementation during the coming ten-year period.

Check out the plan!
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Image is the text and logomark for Columbia Compass. The logomark consists of a blue circle and triangular marks which represent a compass, with an inset blue C. A red compass dial is at an angle, and the dial and the C are overlaid on top of an illustrative street grid with a blue river and green squares representative of city blocks. The text reads “Columbia Compass: Envision 2036.”

Columbia Compass Annual Report

The first report is out! Learn about activities that occurred during FY2020-2021 that helped to implement Columbia Compass recommendations.

Read the Report

Past Comprehensive Planning Efforts

In addition to the  neighborhood, area, and corridor plans that have been developed, the below planning efforts helped to inform the Columbia Compass: Envision 2036 update.

The Columbia Plan 2018

(2008)

The logotext for The Columbia Plan 2018, which is "TCP" in light blue letters, with 2018 in white font on a light green background, and "THE COLUMBIA PLAN" in navy blue.

The Columbia Plan 2018 was the prior the comprehensive plan for the City of Columbia; providing a strategic 10-year vision, including objectives, goals, and policies to help guide the city’s future development and growth.

Plan Columbia: Land Use Plan

(2015)

Image of the cover of the Plan Columbia Land Use Plan, which has a puzzle piece motif, and contains a image of the fountain at Finlay Park to the left. Text reads: Plan Columbia Land Use Plan putting the pieces in place.

This planning process resulted in replacement of the Land Use Element of The Columbia Plan 2018, and laid the groundwork for the rewrite of the City’s Zoning Ordinance and Land Development Regulations, which took effect in August of 2021 after a robust public process.  This plan was also largely carried over into the Columbia Compass: Envision 2036 update.

Walk Bike Columbia

(2015)

Image of the cover the Walk Bike Columbia Pedestrian & Bicycle Master Plan. The cover includes photos of a woman riding a bike, a family walking along a sidewalk with a double stroller, a woman unloading her bike from the COMET bus bike rack, and a woman in a wheelchair. Icons for a bus, a pedestrian, a bicyclist, and a wheelchair user are also included in white on a blue background. The title of the plan is listed below the photos and icons.

This planning process was adopted as an replacement to the bicycle & pedestrian section of the Transportation Element of The Columbia Plan 2018, and was carried forward as Appendix M of Columbia Compass: Envision 2036.

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