On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, the Dallas City Council voted 11-4 in favor of updating its 2006 comprehensive land use plan, launching the ForwardDallas 2.0 initiative. This refreshed long-term guide aims to shape Dallas’ growth over the coming decades, focusing on critical areas such as Environmental Justice and Sustainability, Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) and Connectivity, Housing Choice, Economic Revitalization, and Community Design.
Dallas has experienced rapid development since the original ForwardDallas plan was adopted in 2006. With ForwardDallas 2.0, the city seeks to rethink how its land is used, identifying new opportunities to design spaces that enhance access to resources, strengthen communities, and maintain the city's growth as a thriving, inclusive metropolis.
The updated plan was shaped by nearly three years of community feedback, involving over 200 in-person events and 70 virtual sessions. Public input was also collected via the ForwardDallas 2.0 website, which received more than 25,000 visits and 1,600 comments on an interactive map. In September 2023, the first full draft of the plan was made available for public review, with additional guidance provided by the City Plan Commission (CPC), the Comprehensive Land Use Plan Committee (CLUP), and the Dallas City Council Economic Development Committee.
"ForwardDallas 2.0 is a collaborative effort that could not have been achieved without the hard work of City of Dallas staff, elected and appointed officials, and our many residents who participated through feedback," said Mayor Pro Tem Tennell Atkins, Chair of the Economic Development Committee. "This critical and much-needed update creates a path forward for our City while addressing systemic land use issues. It considers the City’s future growth, protects existing neighborhoods, and directly tackles historic environmental and social inequities."
Interim City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert echoed these sentiments, expressing gratitude to those involved in shaping the plan. "We look forward to implementing ForwardDallas 2.0, reporting on its progress, and being held accountable for it. I want to thank our City of Dallas team, whose commitment to ensuring every voice was heard speaks to their dedication to delivering Service First, Now!"
The vote sets Dallas on a course to address decades of land use challenges, while fostering equitable growth for its residents.
