Introducing Planning Concepts to Nonplanners

This video describes the layers of government in the United States that have an influence on local planning, the relationships between these layers, and their effect on local planning. This includes agencies and governments at the federal, state, regional, local, and special district level. The video explains that most planning is done at the local level by counties and municipalities. It also explains that the federal government indirectly impacts local planning through funding and policy; regional agencies allocate this funding and mainly focus on transportation planning; and states directly influence local planning through statewide requirements. Finally, the video defines special districts, which operate independently from municipalities, but provide important services for citizens.