Columbia Compass
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    • Economic Development
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      • Walk Bike Columbia
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    • Cultural Resources
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  • Documents
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Documents

This page will continue to be updated, and includes the adopted plan documents, as well as newsletters, meeting materials, videos, and reports.

The Plan

ADOPTED PLAN (8.4.20)
Each chapter of the plan is available in pdf format below.  Element-specific information, including the relevant chapter and appendix, is available under "THE PLAN" portion of this website.  
Introduction/Executive Summary (PDF)
Chapter 1: Population (PDF)
Chapter 2: Natural Resources (PDF)
Chapter 3: Economic Development (PDF)
Chapter 4: Housing (PDF)
Chapter 5: Transportation (PDF)
Chapter 6: Land Use (PDF, large file)
Chapter 7: Community Facilities (PDF)
Chapter 8: Cultural Resources (PDF)
Chapter 9: Priority Investment (PDF)
Glossary (PDF)
Index (PDF)
Appendices (PDF):
  • Appendix A: Population Maps
  • Appendix B: Natural Resources 
  • Appendix C: Economic Development  
  • ​Appendix D: Housing
  • Appendix E: Transportation
  • Appendix F: Land Use
  • ​Appendix G: Community Facilities
  • Appendix H: Cultural Resources
  • ​Appendix I: Fall 2018 Survey
  • Appendix J: Spring 2019 Survey
  • ​Appendix K: Public Open House Input - February 2019
  • Appendix L: Public Engagement
  • Appendix M: Walk Bike Columbia
 

Annual Reports

Regular reporting summarizes the work of the City and its partners to move forward the recommendations of the comprehensive plan.

The first report is out!  Learn about activities that occurred during FY2020-2021 that helped to implement Columbia Compass recommendations!
Learn More
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COLUMBIA COMPASS RECOGNIZED BY SCAPA!
Columbia Compass received an honorable mention from the South Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association (SCAPA) as the 2020 Outstanding Planning Project - Innovative Use of Technology! 

VIRTUAL INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS - JUNE 25
In this video, the planning team provides a brief overview of the plan and planning process, and discusses frequently asked questions during a Q&A session.  Two duplicative meetings were hosted virtually on June 25th; the meeting linked above is the first of the two meetings, though both are available for viewing on CityTV.  

FOCUS ON HISTORIC PRESERVATION
In this video, two residents of historic districts discuss the character and sense of community found throughout Columbia’s historic neighborhoods, and why the preservation of these places is important to them.  Recommendations of Columbia Compass related to historic preservation and cultural resources can be found in the cultural resources chapter of the draft plan.  

FOCUS ON THE CULTURAL ARTS
In this short video, Terrance Henderson, an arts educator in the City of Columbia, discusses the current state of cultural arts in the City, as well as what needs to happen to grow the arts scene in the future.  Recommendations of Columbia Compass related to cultural arts can be found in the cultural resources chapter of the draft plan.  

 
Presentation at Richland Library Main - image of citizens gathered, standing and sitting, with their attention focused on a screen and speaker at the front of the room
Placing dots on boards at Richland Library St. Andrews - image of a gentleman placing a dot adjacent to one of the cultural resources recommendations.
Placing dots at Richland Library Southeast - image of citizens reading and placing dots on various boards, as well as interacting with one another and staff
Discussion after the presentation, Busby Street Community Center - image of citizens and staff in discussion while seated at chairs.
JANUARY 2020 PUBLIC MEETINGS
Four public meetings were held to present the draft plan and engage with the public on plan recommendations. 

A brief presentation was given twice during each evening, videos of the presentation being given are available via Facebook.  Use the hyperlinks to download the presentation document and view the presentation video.

Review the boards presented, organized by topic below.
  • Population (Boards)
  • Natural Resources (Boards & Feedback Received)
  • Economic Development (Boards & Feedback Received)
  • Housing (Boards & Feedback Received)
  • Transportation (Boards & Feedback Received)
  • Land Use (Board & Feedback Received)
  • Community Facilities (Boards & Feedback Received)
  • Cultural Resources (Boards & Feedback Received)
  • Priority Investment (Board)

UPDATE VIDEO - JANUARY 2020 PUBLIC MEETINGS
This short video provides a snapshot of what to expect at the January 2020 public meetings, and how you can stay engaged in the Columbia Compass process.

UPDATE VIDEO
This short video discusses some of the themes that have emerged during the planning process and how those themes will be reflected in the plan document.

Newsletter

OCTOBER 2019: TAKING A THEMATIC VIEW
This newsletter introduces the themes that emerged during the public planning process - these themes help us remember how each of the plan's elements are interwoven with one another to complete our overall vision for Columbia.

Read the Newsletter

Newsletter

SEPTEMBER 2019: TURNING PLANS INTO ACTION
Did you know that planning helped lay the groundwork for the revitalization of downtown? Examine past efforts, and take part in planning for Columbia!

Read the Newsletter

Newsletter

JULY 2019: TRANSPORTATION
Learn about transportation in Columbia, how to create a park out of a parking space, and how to volunteer for our annual pedestrian & bicycle counts.

Read the Newsletter

Survey Analysis

SPRING 2019 SURVEY
1,813 of you took our survey this spring, which was open from early February to early March!  The purpose of this survey was to understand how you felt about some of the draft recommendations, and to ensure that the planning team understood your earlier feedback correctly.

Read the survey analysis

Newsletter

APRIL 2019: NATURAL RESOURCES
This newsletter discusses our natural resources. Natural resources are all around us, even in the urban core.  Read this newsletter to learn about the ecosystem services they provide, contemplate sustainable riverfront development, and more.

Read the Newsletter

Interactive Future Land Use Map

UPDATING THE MAP
The land use element establishes development types (also referred to as future land use classifications) that share similar characteristics of function, form, and land use.  After careful review of context and the community's vision for areas throughout the City, these development types were used to create a future land use map of the City as part of the 2014 Plan Columbia process. 

A handful of updates to these maps were proposed at our February 2019 public meetings to better reflect community desires, and  a few additional updates were subsequently made prior to finalizing the draft plan in response to community feedback received since.  You can view the adopted future land use map by visiting the interactive City Information Viewer.

Newsletter

MARCH 2019: COMMUNITY FACILITIES
This newsletter discusses our community facilities.  The City's facilities are more than just buildings and parks; they include the infrastructure that makes up City services too, from water, sewer, and stormwater to public works.  

Read the Newsletter

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FEBRUARY 12 & 13, 2019 OPEN HOUSES
Open houses were held at Woodland Park and Richland Library Main to  gather valuable citizen feedback on elements and recommended strategies.  Review the boards presented, organized by topic below.
  • Population (Boards & Interactive)
  • Natural Resources (Boards & Interactive)
  • Land Use (Boards, Current Maps, Proposed Maps, & Interactive)
  • Housing (Boards & Interactive)
  • Transportation (Boards & Interactive)
  • Cultural Resources (Boards & Interactive)
  • Community Facilities (Boards & Interactive)
  • Economic Development (Boards & Interactive)
  • Priority Investment (Boards & Interactive)

UPDATE VIDEO
This short video provides a brief overview and update about Columbia Compass.  This video was also available at the open houses on February 12 & 13.

Newsletter

FEBRUARY 2019:  LAND USE PLANNING
This newsletter examines the role of land use planning and the land use element in framing how we envision our built (and un-built) environment.  You can make sure to receive these newsletters and other updates regarding Columbia Compass by signing up for our mailing list in the website footer below. 

Read the Newsletter

Survey Analysis & Interactive Map

FALL 2018 SURVEY
We received 1,197 responses to our Fall 2018 survey, which included 5,085 comments and 37,014 data points.  We learned a lot from what you had to say, and we think you might enjoy seeing our analysis of the data.

You can also take an in-depth look at the mapped responses via our interactive map.  If you took the survey, you may remember that you determined where to place markers on a map.  You can click on each marker to see what a respondent said about the spot they marked, and as you explore the map, you may see some patterns emerge. 

How to use the map:
  • You can zoom in or out, or use the menu panel on the left side. 
  • Click on the "carrot" (dark triangle) next to the name of each of the "layers" to see the sub-categories.
  • Check or un-check each layer to add or remove the layer from the map display.
  • Collapse or expand the menu by clicking the tab with the < or > symbol.
 

Newsletter

JANUARY 2019: CULTURAL RESOURCES
This newsletter discusses how arts, history, and design help define who we are as a city.  Learn more about Amplify - the cultural planning process, and how arts, history, and quality design drive our local economy.  

Read the Newsletter

Newsletter

DECEMBER 2018: COLUMBIA'S ECONOMY
This newsletter examines our economy - did you know that Columbia ranks #1 when it comes to having the highest industrial taxes in the US?  You can make sure to receive these newsletters and other updates by signing up for our mailing list in the website footer below.  

Read the Newsletter

Newsletter

NOVEMBER 2018: COLUMBIA'S POPULATION
This newsletter examines the makeup of our City's population and reviews demographic trends.  You can make sure to receive these by signing up for our mailing list in the website footer below.  

Read the Newsletter


INTRO VIDEO
This short video provides an introductory overview to the comprehensive planning process.  This video was also available at the open houses on October 3 & 4.

Newsletter

OCTOBER 2018: COLUMBIA'S HOUSING MARKET
This newsletter focuses on trends in rental and owned housing in Columbia.  You can make sure to receive these by signing up for our mailing list in the website footer below.  

Read the Newsletter

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OCTOBER 3 & 4, 2018 OPEN HOUSES
Open houses were held at Richland Library and Eau Claire Print Building to kick off the planning process and gather valuable citizen feedback.  Review the boards presented, organized by topic below.
  • Vision (Boards & Interactive)
  • Population (Boards & Interactive)
  • Natural Resources (Boards & Interactive)
  • Land Use (Boards & Interactive)
  • Housing (Boards & Interactive)
  • Transportation (Boards & Interactive)
  • Cultural Resources (Boards & Interactive)
  • Community Facilities (Boards & Interactive)
  • Economic Development (Boards)

Newsletter

SEPTEMBER 2018: COLUMBIA COMPASS 101
The first of our monthly newsletters, you can make sure to receive these by signing up for our mailing list in the website footer below.  

Read the Newsletter

Stay Engaged!

If you have any questions about the documents above, please send us an email, or call the City of Columbia Planning Division at (803) 545-3222.

Meetings and events have occurred throughout the planning process and opportunities for engagement will continue with implementation.  Planning Division staff is also happy to come speak to your neighborhood or organization about the planning process or recommendations of the plan.  If you're interested in having staff come speak to your neighborhood or organization about Columbia Compass, please send us an email.
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Envision Columbia seal and City of Columbia seal.  The City's Envision Columbia seal, which reads
​Columbia Compass is the update to the City of Columbia, South Carolina’s Comprehensive Plan.  To learn more about the City’s other planning efforts, please visit the City's website.
Copyright 2023 Columbia Compass. All rights reserved.