By planning a community can attract businesses and help local entrepreneurs start businesses by keeping data on the workforce, the age and type of existing business, and the capacity of local services and infrastructure. This information can help insure that economic growth matches the needs and resources of the community. Planning can also assist existing local businesses by helping them locate proper facilities, and by advising them on population and workforce issues. It can also prevent non-compatible land uses near existing businesses. Planning can result in cost effective land development and infrastructure which is essential to many economic development programs.
Planning promotes the public good by helping to shape a sound economy.
Planning to promote sustainability can help achieve more efficient use of land, decrease traffic congestion, conserve important natural resources, engage citizens, and provide for economic prosperity. By pursuing a sustainable pattern of development, planning helps promote the public good. Planning helps protect private property rights. Good planning protects property values and minimizes the negative impacts of new development. Without proper planning, new land development can expose adjoining landowners to negative impacts and loss of land value.