Goals are needed to guide decision-making in the near term, and to provide for the longer term future. In the near term, they establish a district-wide context for day to day City government and private sector decisions on matters concerning development, investment, zoning, budgeting, legislation and redevelopment. These incremental decisions can over time make a significant contribution to long term improvements of the area if they are made within the framework of a comprehensive plan.
Goals are also important in the long term.
Citizens and government officials need to think beyond immediate problems and crises and consider how the city should change over an extended time period. Our vision of the future of West Philadelphia should not be constrained by current limitations. Since West Philadelphia's primary role in the city is to house people, it follows that the first goal is to maintain and revitalize its neighborhoods. Deteriorated neighborhoods need to be revitalized, and the priorities for accomplishing revitalization must be established. They live in pleasant, healthy surroundings but there is the occasional vacant house or store nearby.