Community Development

The Atlanta Regional Commission has developed a range of programs and initiatives designed to make the Atlanta region an even better place to live, work and play – for people of all ages and abilities. These efforts will help the region maintain a high quality of life, even as our population continues to grow and change.

2025-2026 Regional Development Plan Update

The Regional Development Plan (RDP) serves as a strategic policy guide for local governments in the Atlanta region, focusing on land use, quality of life, infrastructure, and economic development. The RDP informs and supports many other ARC plans and initiatives. The plan includes a regional land use element to support informed local decision-making.

The RDP is updated every five years and has been revised as the 2026 Regional Development Plan Update: Growing Together for 2050 — Metro ATL Development Strategy. The draft 2026 RDP is now available for public review and comment, outlining a proposed growth and preservation framework for the 11‑county Metro Atlanta area. Please submit comments by May 12th to Samuykth Shenbaga at [email protected].

Download the 2026 Draft RDP (PDF, 306MB)

Livable Centers Initiative (LCI)

Provides local jurisdictions with grants to re-envision their communities as vibrant, walkable places that offer increased mobility options and encourage healthy lifestyles.

Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP)

Offers planning and technical support to metro Atlanta communities that want to improve their quality of life.

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)

Fosters economic prosperity across metro Atlanta with an emphasis on equity, resiliency, and addressing the needs of underserved communities.

Housing

Assists local governments, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders to better understand the region’s housing challenges and explore potential solutions through leadership programs, data resources, planning and technical assistance.

Developments of Regional Impact (DRI)

ARC reviews large-scale developments and other projects to identify and assess potential impacts before conflicts arise.

Community-Centered Design Program

Convenes artists, culture bearers, and planning and design professionals to develop arts and culture-focused community design projects with community organizations.

ARC’s Community Development Programs & Initiatives

Great places don’t happen by accident but require foundational change and critical improvements to address persistent challenges and growth in our region to ensure these changes benefit residents and communities across our region. We provide a variety of planning services, programs, and technical support opportunities to make this happen, including:

Local and Regional Planning which includes local Comprehensive Planning, Planning Assistance, Plan Review, Housing Planning and Resources, Climate Resilience Studies, City Agriculture Planning, the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), and ARC’s Regional Excellence Awards.
Leadership Development providing the vision and action needed to help move the Atlanta region forward and reach new heights.
Grants for Technical Assistance available for community assistance projects and programs offered by ARC including the Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP) and the Livable Centers Initiative (LCI).
Regional Arts & Culture opportunities that lead to a vibrant region and thriving economy.

Featured Resources in Community Development

Livable Centers Initiative Application Guidebook

Provides more information about the program goals and application requirements.

Community Development Assistance Guidebook

Provides an overview of the program, a list of past projects, and information about the application process.

Overview of DRI Process

Provides information about the DRI process, including ARC’s role, program goals.

Regional Resource Plan

This plan is designed to enhance the focus on protection and management of important natural and cultural resources in the Atlanta region.

Metro Atlanta Housing Strategy

Enables local Governments to explore solutions to their housing affordability challenges through actionable strategies.