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Memphis 3.0 Basics

Planning District

Think of planning districts as puzzle pieces that come together to form our city's unique landscape. Each district has its own character, history, and community spirit. From bustling urban centers to serene residential areas, our planning districts showcase the diversity of life in our city.

What are Planning Districts?

Use the interactive map above to view all 14 districts and find yours!

Why do we use Planning Districts?

Planning districts allow us to focus on the specific needs and aspirations of each neighborhood. By tailoring development plans to local preferences, we can create spaces that truly reflect the values of the people who live and work there.

Learn more about the basics of the Memphis 3.0 Comprehensive Plan. Use the navigation arrows on the left and right or on the bottom of this section to scroll through different topics.

Memphis 3.0 How-To Guide

The Memphis 3.0 How-To Guide contains the main topics of the comprehensive plan, explained in a brief manner. It allows you to learn more about how the plan works, the framework, and overall goals in a shorter, easier to understand format. Click below to download or print the guide.

Memphis 3.0 Project Showcase

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Memphis 3.0 FAQs

Below are some of the frequently asked questions regarding the Memphis 3.0 Comprehensive Plan. Use the arrow tabs to scroll and explore questions in four different categories.

1. What is the Memphis 3.0 Comprehensive Plan? As the first comprehensive plan in decades, Memphis 3.0 is more than just a document—it's a roadmap for our future. It envisions our city as one that thrives on sustainable development, enhanced connectivity, and equitable opportunities. From revitalizing our neighborhoods to reimagining our transportation systems, Memphis 3.0 sets the stage for a stronger, more sustainable future for every Memphian- building up, not out.

2. What is the purpose of Memphis 3.0? In addition to being a “roadmap” for city development, it leads to wise investments, great neighborhoods, a shared vision for the future, smart use of land, transportation options, enhanced quality of life, and strong connections between places and people. In other words, the purpose of Memphis 3.0 is to create a future in which Memphis is stronger, healthier, more efficient, and sustainable. The comprehensive plan is essential to establish an ambitious vision of the future but ensure clarity and predictability in growth and development patterns and how the city invests.

3. Why should I care about Memphis 3.0? Change in a city is inevitable, but we can control our own future with Memphis 3.0. It will be the guide for Memphis into a new century and for decades to come. Memphis is better, stronger, and more equitable when its full diversity is involved in the development, evaluation, and implementation of this plan and its recommendations. We need Memphians to decide who they want their city to be and how they want it to grow. Decisions you will help make will determine if our community is walkable, if children have safe places to play, if people have places to gather, and if businesses can be created within easy access.

4. Why is it called Memphis 3.0? In May 2019, Memphis celebrated the 200th anniversary of its founding, so Memphis 3.0 signifies that our city will be entering its third century, or 100-year period, and this updated planning process gives us a chance to do it with a shared vision and common goals to create a city of opportunity for all.

5. How was the Memphis 3.0 Comprehensive Plan created? The initial planning period for Memphis 3.0, led by the Office of Comprehensive Planning, took place for two years between 2016 – 2018 and involved over 15,000 Memphians in the community input process. The Memphis 3.0 Comprehensive Plan was adopted by the Memphis & Shelby County Land Use Control Board and the Memphis City Council in 2019.

6. How can I stay informed about the Memphis 3.0 Comprehensive Plan? Follow us on social media, visit our website, sign up for the newsletter, there are so many ways to interact with the Memphis 3.0 Update process. We want to hear from you!

1. We feel that our neighborhood was left out of the first planning process and recent community improvements. What makes this time different? We understand your concerns, and we want to assure you that your input is crucial to the success of the Memphis 3.0 public engagement process. We recognize that past efforts may not have fully reached every corner of our diverse city, and we are committed to improving outreach and engagement to ensure that all neighborhoods have a voice in shaping the future of Memphis. Given the size of some districts, community workshops are often centrally located within the district to maximize accessibility for residents from various areas. However, we understand that this approach may not always capture the perspectives and needs of every neighborhood. While certain areas may receive targeted funding and improvements as part of the anchor strategy, it's important to emphasize that every neighborhood's input directly influences district priorities, vision, and future land use decisions. Your participation in the Memphis 3.0 process is vital, regardless of whether your neighborhood is designated as an "anchor" area or not. We value your perspective and want to ensure that your concerns and aspirations are heard and considered as we plan for the future of our city. We encourage you to get involved, attend public meetings, and share your ideas and feedback. Together, we can work towards creating a comprehensive plan that reflects the diversity and richness of our community and ensures that every neighborhood has the opportunity to thrive. In addition to our in person workshops, our online engagement platform gives residents an opportunity to participate in the workshops and give input on their own schedule.

2. I’m concerned about trash dumping in my neighborhood. How does the plan address that? Addressing issues like trash dumping is crucial for maintaining the cleanliness and livability of our neighborhoods. While not specifically addressing issues such as dumping, one way the plan contributes to addressing this issue is by promoting neighborhood revitalization and community engagement initiatives. By investing in neighborhood infrastructure improvements, public spaces, and community programs, we aim to create a sense of pride and ownership among residents, reducing the likelihood of illegal dumping. If you have specific, immediate concerns, you can use the city 311 system to report dump sites, or by visiting a monthly Police Joint Agency meeting in your neighborhood to request they be addressed by city code enforcement.

3. I’m concerned about people drag racing, and speeding on my street. How does this plan address that? We understand your concerns about traffic safety, especially in residential areas where children play, and families reside. The Memphis 3.0 plan recognizes the importance of creating streets that prioritize the safety and well-being of all residents, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. One of the key strategies outlined in the plan is the implementation of traffic calming measures to address issues like speeding, reckless driving, and drag racing. Traffic calming techniques, such as speed humps, traffic circles, chicanes, and narrowed streets, are designed to slow down vehicle speeds and improve safety for everyone sharing the road. If you have specific, immediate concerns, you can call the MPD non-emergency line at 545-COPS (545-2677) or by visiting a monthly Police Joint Agency meeting in your neighborhood to request they be addressed by law enforcement. Additionally, our Community Improvement Guide can assist local community groups in improving pedestrian safety in their neighborhoods.

4. I’m concerned with crime in my neighborhood. How does this plan help address any crime concerns? We understand the impact crime has on the safety and well-being of residents in our community. While the Memphis 3.0 plan does not directly address specific crime concerns, it provides a framework for creating stronger, more resilient communities where residents feel safe, supported and ideally; crime is deterred through an active neighborhood watching out for one another. We aim to create environments where residents feel empowered to take an active role in promoting safety and deterring criminal activity. If you have specific, immediate crime concerns, you can call the MPD non-emergency line at 545-COPS (545-2677) or by visiting a monthly Police Joint Agency meeting in your neighborhood to request they be addressed by law enforcement. We encourage you to report any suspicious or criminal activity to local law enforcement and to participate in community initiatives aimed at improving neighborhood safety.

5. I’m concerned with multi-family developments in my single-family neighborhood. What does the plan do to address these types of developments? We understand your concerns about changes in neighborhood development and the impact it may have on your privacy and quality of life. The introduction of multi-family developments in single-family neighborhoods can indeed be a significant change for residents. It's important to note that the Memphis 3.0 plan aims to strike a balance between accommodating growth and preserving the character of existing neighborhoods. While the plan encourages densification in certain areas to address the city's development needs more efficiently, it also recognizes the importance of maintaining the integrity of single-family neighborhoods. To address concerns about multi-family developments, the plan emphasizes the importance of updating the city's Unified Development Code to better regulate and manage these types of developments. By implementing more stringent regulations and design standards, we aim to ensure that new developments are compatible with the character of existing neighborhoods and minimize potential disruptions to residents. Additionally, it's worth noting that the plan prescribes a significant portion of the city's land area to remain designated for single-family style neighborhoods, approximately 29% compared to 9% for multifamily and mixed-use districts. This demonstrates our commitment to preserving the character of these neighborhoods while accommodating growth in a thoughtful and sustainable manner.

1. How is success measured for Memphis 3.0? The success of Memphis 3.0 can be viewed through key performance indicators of the city, such as rezonings, development consistency analysis, housing affordability, economic development, and key demographic changes. City departments also create PIR or Plan to implementation Reports which explain how Memphis 3.0 is furthering or assisting initiatives in their city department. Our department maintains a data dashboard, which contains information on some of these items, available on our website. Our department creates annual updates on the plan and its progress as well.

2. How does the Memphis 3.0 plan align with existing zoning regulations and land use policies? Currently, the Unified Development Code (UDC) are the “rules” for any new or changing development in the city. The Memphis 3.0 plan prescribes future land use for the city of Memphis and our department reviews development applications to ensure consistency with those area’s prescribed land use. As part of this update, we are working to more closely align the UDC with Memphis 3.0 recommendations on future land use.

3. How has Memphis 3.0 worked to improve infrastructure in our neighborhoods? Memphis 3.0 has guided over 200 million dollars of improvements in city neighborhoods since the plan adoption in 2019. Memphis 3.0 identifies 71 anchor areas as “nurture anchors,” which typically do not have sufficient market-led activity to drive desired change, and 30 “accelerate anchors” with greater potential for private investment, but in need of public support. Investment in 34 of these anchors is a signal of public sector focus in these areas and designed to unlock opportunities for change. Each anchor will be funded at $400,000 each for select improvements identified as actions associated with Nurture degree of change or actions specified in the District Priorities section of the comprehensive plan. These actions will be determined on an area-by-area basis, but may include: •Street repaving •Bus shelters •Light pole banners •Crosswalk/sidewalk improvements •Road diets •Public Wi-Fi •Streetlight upgrades •Street trees •Pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure •Repurposed vacant land as civic space •Closed curb cuts •Signage improvements.

4. What has Memphis 3.0 done since 2019 to improve the city? Infrastructure Improvements: Memphis 3.0 has guided over $200 million of infrastructure improvements in city neighborhoods. These improvements encompass a wide range of projects, including street recovering, bus shelters, light pole banners, crosswalk/sidewalk improvements, road diets, public Wi-Fi installations, streetlight upgrades, street trees, street furniture, repurposed vacant land as civic space, closed curb cuts, and signage improvements. These enhancements contribute to the overall livability and functionality of our neighborhoods. Community Engagement: Memphis 3.0 has prioritized robust community engagement to ensure that residents have a voice in the planning and development process. Through workshops, public meetings, online platforms, and other outreach efforts, thousands of Memphians have participated in shaping the future of our city. Small Area Planning: The plan has facilitated small area planning efforts in various neighborhoods, leading to targeted investments and improvements tailored to the specific needs and priorities of each community. These efforts have resulted in tangible enhancements to neighborhood walkability, pedestrian safety, aesthetics, and overall quality of life. Economic Development Support: Memphis 3.0 has supported small businesses and local entrepreneurship through targeted development and investment efforts. By focusing on anchor areas and fostering an environment conducive to economic growth, the plan aims to stimulate job creation, encourage business growth, and enhance economic opportunities for residents. Sustainable and Resilient Communities: The plan includes a dedicated goal aimed at promoting sustainable and resilient communities. Initiatives under this goal focus on environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, natural landscapes, waste management, and protection from natural disasters. These efforts aim to create a more resilient city that can thrive in the face of future challenges. Guided by the plan, the Shelby County Office of Sustainability and Resilience works to implement these efforts.

1. Why do we need to update the plan? The purpose of the update is to ensure that the plan reflects current community priorities and values, aligning future land use planning with the community's vision.

2. How does the update work? We will hold 3 workshops per district over the course of one year. We will work to undertsand what the public thinks of the current district vision and priorities in workshop one. In workshop two and three, we will look at future land use around each anchor and how that might affect future neighborhood changes.

3. What is the timeline for the update? Public workshops begin in late summer of 2024 and will continue until the late summer of 2025. Our team will then work to distill all the public feedback and incorporate it into an updated Memphis 3.0 Comprehensive Plan.

4. How can I participate in the Memphis 3.0 Comprehensive Plan update? We will be holding three public workshops in each of the city's 14 planning districts for the public to attend and express their vision, values, and opinions for the future of their neighborhood. All our workshops will be available online for folks who are not able to attend in person and want to express their vision, priorities, and opinions.

5. What resources will be available to help residents and stakeholders understand and engage with the plan? Our team has created a suite of tools for folks to better understand the plan, planning terms, and other confusing words used by professional planners and other city officials. We have a glossary of planning terms, frequently asked questions, a showcase of community projects that have been inspired by Memphis 3.0, visual explanation posters/documents for land use categories, and community maps and information.

Memphis 3.0 Five-Year Update

Plan Update Timeline 2024

Plan Update Engagement Timeline 2024

Plan Update Engagement Timeline 2024 (4)_edited

Plan Update Timeline 2024

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Accelerate Memphis

Accelerate Memphis, an implementation tool of Memphis 3.0, is a historic $200 million public investment initiative created to facilitate catalytic community projects in neighborhoods experiencing historic disinvestment and underrepresentation. $75 million is allocated directly to projects identified in Memphis 3.0.

About Us

Comprehensive Planning coordinates long-range planning activities for the City of Memphis. Its primary function was the completion of Memphis 3.0, the City’s comprehensive plan to guide land use, development, transportation, and other built environment considerations over the next 20 years. The comprehensive plan is essential to establish an ambitious vision of the future but ensure clarity and predictability in growth and development patterns and how the city invests. The Memphis 3.0 comprehensive plan was adopted by the Memphis & Shelby County Land Use Control Board and the Memphis City Council in 2019. Ongoing Comprehensive Planning activities include promoting and facilitating community engagement, supporting high quality community design, comprehensive plan implementation and compliance, small area planning, neighborhood data resource management, and development of special projects. Comprehensive Planning is a department of the Memphis & Shelby County Division of Planning and Development.

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