Allegheny County Comprehensive Plan

Balancing forward-thinking vision with practical implementation tools

Allegheny County is undertaking its first comprehensive plan update since 2008, an effort that marks an evolution in how long-range planning is approached on a countywide scale in Pennsylvania. With a population of more than 1.2 million people and 130 fully incorporated municipalities, Allegheny County presents a uniquely complex planning environment. The County does not have direct control over land use or zoning, but plays a critical role as a convener, policy influencer, and provider of technical assistance to municipalities.

The planning effort, co-led by OHM Advisors and titled Allegheny Places, is the first time the Implementable Comprehensive Plan model is being applied at this scale. The process reflects the County’s desire to better engage with local governments and regional stakeholders, while aligning policy with achievable outcomes that support targeted goals for housing, infrastructure, economic development, and climate resilience. OHM Advisors is leading research that will help uncover the unique needs and opportunities of each geographic community within the County, creating a shared language of place that will inform policy and engagement strategies. 

The planning process includes two primary stakeholder groups: external stakeholders – large employers, community organizations, and regional leaders – and municipal stakeholders representing the County’s 130 municipalities. The initial engagement will identify key issues for the plan, followed by a countywide public survey; feedback from stakeholders and residents will then shape the plan’s vision, strategies, and implementation framework.

By recognizing the County’s limited land use authority and emphasizing its strengths in regional coordination, the developing plan will provide a durable 25-year implementation framework and serve as a model for how large, complex counties can drive meaningful outcomes through engagement, transparency, and a realistic understanding of their role.