The Durham 2020 Comprehensive Plan is the formal policy on long range growth and development. This merged City and County comprehensive plan was adopted in 1995. Two key features of the 2020 Plan are regional transit corridors and compact neighborhoods. Regional transit corridors are proposed routes for extensive bus and possibly rail transit that connect the Triangle's major urban centers.
Compact neighborhoods are new higher density developments along the regional transit corridors.
They are centered on a transit station and offer a mix of commercial, office and housing. Compact neighborhoods are arranged and designed to encourage walking and biking. They offer a different type of working and living environment that emphasizes opportunities for travel without use of the automobile.