The City of Newark has won the prestigious Daniel Burnham Comprehensive Plan Award for its groundbreaking Newark360 Master Plan. This award, presented by the American Planning Association (APA), celebrates the city’s efforts to create a more inclusive and sustainable future. Newark360 is a blueprint for community-driven development, prioritizing environmental resilience, affordable housing, and social equity.
“Newark360 was created by the people of Newark themselves,” said Mayor Ras J. Baraka. “With over 10,000 community interactions through workshops, focus groups, and our Newark Story Bus, this initiative reflects the voices and priorities of our residents. I am grateful for everyone who participated because Newark360 wouldn’t exist without them.”
The Newark360 Master Plan focuses on accommodating growth while addressing key challenges like affordable housing, job shortages, and environmental issues. With input from a diverse range of Newarkers, the plan offers solutions designed to benefit everyone, especially those historically marginalized in planning processes.
Urban planning expert Amanda Burden, Principal of Urban Planning at Bloomberg Associates, praised the plan, calling it a model for the nation:
“Newark360 is beautifully laid out, richly illustrative, and completely engaging. This plan is a must-read for professionals and citizens alike.”
The plan also tackles Newark’s status as the nation’s second-worst heat island, emphasizing the need for green roofs and an expanded tree canopy. Backed by an $8 million urban forestry grant from the U.S. Forest Service, these initiatives will help build a more environmentally resilient city.
Empowering Newark’s Future Through Zoning and Land Use Reforms
A critical element of Newark360’s success is the Newark Zoning and Land Use Regulations (NZLUR), which support mixed-use and affordable housing. Adopted just a year after the Newark360 plan, these zoning reforms increase the supply of housing and promote economic growth, especially around transit hubs.
