Welcome to the DC 2050 Insider! Get the latest on what we’ve been up to and what’s coming up.
The DC Office of Planning (OP) has been working alongside DC residents, community organizations, businesses, and elected officials to develop DC 2050, the District's next Comprehensive Plan.
In this edition:
 |
|
As we wrap up the first phase of engagement and plan for our next series of outreach events, we’re sharing a summary of what we’ve learned. This report presents an overview of DC 2050 phase 1 engagement, from February through June 2025.
The findings are helping improve our efforts towards equitable engagement goals and provide insights for the policies and strategies we’ll be including in the plan.
|
The input gathered between February and June includes a mix of quantitative data, from the DC 2050 Vision Survey, sign-in sheets, and polls, and qualitative data from discussions at more than 50 virtual and in-person events.
In-person events were in all eight wards, with a special focus on Wards 7 and 8 and central, transit-accessible locations.
This summer, OP added to our schedule of tabling events with targeted focus group conversations and pop-ups in community resource hubs. We’re designing these events in partnership with trusted community organizations, to give ample and safe space for discussions on specific community needs. In the past three months, we’ve met with:
- English-learning families, hosted by Briya Charter School
- LGBTQIA+ residents at the World Pride street festival & grantee events for the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs
- Families in Ward 7, hosted by the East River Family Strengthening Collaborative
- Community advocates for equitable housing development, hosted by The Coalition
- Spanish and Amharic-speaking residents at Mary’s Center in Petworth
- Residents of Shipley Terrace and Washington Highlands at ANC 8E’s Community Connections block party
- Teens interning with the Mayor’s Office of Latino Affairs and participating in the Department of Energy and the Environment’s Green Zone Environmental Program through the Summer Youth Employment Program
- Developmental disability self-advocates, hosted by Project Action!
- Seniors in Ward 7 & 8, hosted at the Washington Seniors Wellness Center and Congress Heights Senior Wellness Center
|
Click on the image to check out a new video on our approach to DC’s next comprehensive plan!
Our team has been researching the effectiveness of long-term planning strategies from jurisdictions across North America and we’re excited to share the direction we’re heading in for the District.
|
|
 |
Introducing Place Types
In DC 2050, we are planning for complete communities that balance residents’ housing needs with access to everyday amenities, services, and destinations like jobs, schools, stores, and parks. DC 2050’s Future Land Use Map will identify “place types” that describe the land use, character, buildings, connectivity, public spaces, and cultural and civic assets associated with different places in DC. This approach allows us to plan for how residents experience the many elements that make up a neighborhood, including what’s built there, the look and feel, and connection to other places. Stay tuned for a series of events this fall where we’ll talk about what this approach means for our neighborhoods.
Save the Date
Join us at the following upcoming events and find the latest schedule at DC2050.com:
-
September 6 - Focus group for Deaf and Hard of Hearing residents, co-hosted with the Mayor's Office of Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing | 2:00-3:30pm | Gallaudet University, 800 Florida Ave NE | Register here
-
September 12 - Art All Night Upper Bladensburg Rd| 7:00-10:30pm
-
September 13 - Alpha Phi Alpha Community Day | Lansburgh Park, 1098 Delaware Ave SW | 11:00am-2:00pm
-
September 13 - Art All Night Congress Heights| Gateway Pavilion, 2730 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE | 7:00-10:30pm
-
September 20 - H Street Festival | Intersection of H St and 13th St NE | 12:00-7:00pm
The Office of Planning Works for You!
If you’d like us to table at your event or organization, or if you’re interested in co-hosting a briefing or small group discussion through your organization, please email us at dc2050@dc.gov.
 In this section of our newsletter, we share questions we've heard from residents. If you have a question for OP, please email it to us at dc2050@dc.gov.
Question: How will the comprehensive plan address the needs in my neighborhood?
Answer: The project team will assess input we receive on neighborhood needs and identify policy guidance to meet those needs through future development, capital investments, and District programs and services. You’re welcome to share your ideas at any point in the DC 2050 development process.
|
