Regional Planning Working Group
Reflecting the intersectional nature of SCAG's work to foster innovative regional solutions, the Regional Planning Working Group (RPWG) is a forum for SCAG to share current projects and best practices, facilitating holistic discussions that shape SCAG's work and support local implementation of regional goals. Discussions focus on topics related to safe and active streets, regional progress, natural and agricultural lands conservation, and sustainable and resilient communities.
- RPWG meetings are structured as open public forums for information sharing only.
- RPWG participants do not vote or take positions on any policy issues.
- SCAG staff organize and manage the meetings, with no formal chair or assigned roles for participants.
- Meetings are open to the public and may include participation from stakeholders and staff from state, regional, and local agencies, non-profit organizations, local universities, and the business community.
- RPWG meetings are held remotely (via video-conferencing/teleconferencing) through the development of the Connect SoCal 2050 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy. Changes to meeting format and schedule(s) will be communicated to each working group via email when applicable.
- RPWG meetings will generally be held on the second Tuesday of the month. Specific dates and times are announced at the beginning of the month. Sign up to receive monthly RPWG emails.
Learn More About the Focus Areas
- Safe and Active Streets
SCAG is interested in working more closely with regional transportation safety and active transportation stakeholders to develop regional transportation safety and active transportation strategies that can be incorporated into Connect SoCal 2050. Through the lens of safe and active streets, discussions will:
- Explore methods to increase the value of the Connect SoCal active transportation and safety components for local jurisdictions and implementing agencies through enhancement of policies and analysis, and presentation of regional active transportation and safety plans.
- Share information on SCAG initiatives and funding programs, such as the Active Transportation (ATP) and the Go Human safety and encouragement campaign.
- Discuss emerging issues and share innovations and best practices for increasing safe mobility across the region.
- Assist SCAG staff in developing transportation safety analyses and policies (e.g., existing conditions analysis; high injury corridor methodology and identification; safety target(s) and performance measures; strategies and actions).
- Provide SCAG staff with guidance on developing the Regional Safety Strategy to be incorporated into Connect SoCal.
Please direct any questions or comments regarding the safe and active streets focus area to connectsocal@scag.ca.gov.
- Sustainable and Resilient Communities
Through the lens of sustainable and resilient communities, the RPWG will engage stakeholders on adaptation and resilience projects, highlight ongoing climate adaptation work across the region, and discuss related topics on regional climate adaptation and resilience, such as:
- Senate Bill 379 compliance.
- SCAG’s Regional Resilience Framework Toolkit.
- Collaboration through a regional climate planning network.
- Best practices in climate adaptation and resilience planning.
- Strategies to cultivate sustainable and livable communities that are resilient to climate hazards such as extreme heat, fire, and flooding.
Stakeholder participation helps regional resilience strategies to be responsive to local conditions, informed by diverse expertise and lived experience, and aligned with broader community and climate adaptation priorities. Participation is open to all, and representatives from city and county planning departments, utility agencies, community-based organizations, county transportation commissions, public health agencies, and academic institutions are encouraged to join.
Please contact scaggreenregion@scag.ca.gov for any questions or comments regarding the Sustainable and Resilient Communities focus area.
- Regional Progress
The Regional Progress focus area provides opportunity for input and updates on SCAG’s performance monitoring program for ConnectSoCal, which integrates federal transportation system performance management, equity and environmental justice measures, and metrics specific to a set of federal transportation conformity planning and reporting requirements for designated criteria air pollutants. SCAG’s performance monitoring program evaluates expected outcomes of investments identified in Connect SoCal, with respect to transportation and mobility, air quality, economic activity, job creation, sustainability, public health, and equity. SCAG will also share progress across the region to eliminate racial bias and barriers in land-use and transportation planning.
SCAG seeks to engage local jurisdiction staff, environmental justice and public health professionals, social advocates, community-based organizations, academic partners, and other government agencies in discussion on actions, policies, and practices that support progress towards the region’s goals. Examples of discussion topics include:
- Development of Connect SoCal 2050 Performance Measures and SCAG’s “State of the Region” report
- Data tools that support local planning and decision-making
- Emerging research on public health and environmental justice topics
- Best practices for planning, community engagement, and outreach to ensure all people can be healthy, prosperous, and participate fully in civic life
Please direct any questions or comments regarding the Regional Progress focus area to connectsocal@scag.ca.gov.
- Natural and Farm Lands Conservation
The Natural and Farm Lands Conservation focus area supports SCAG’s ongoing efforts to develop and refine regional conservation planning. This work advances strategies to protect natural and agricultural lands and contribute to a more resilient regional landscape. This focus plays an important role in shaping conservation polices and approaches in Connect SoCal 2050 and beyond. Specific topics covered in this focus area include, but are not limited to:
- Strategic conservation of natural and agricultural lands to mitigate hazards, such as wildfire, flooding, sea level rise, and extreme heat.
- Regional advance mitigation planning.
- Habitat connectivity and wildlife crossings.
- Ecosystem services and harnessing the co-benefits of conserving natural and agricultural lands.
Stakeholder participation helps regional conservation strategies to be responsive to local conditions, informed by science and practical experience, and aligned with broader community and environmental priorities. Stakeholder participation is open to all, and representatives from city and county planning departments, federal and state conservation agencies, county transportation commissions, land trusts, and academic institutions are encouraged to join.
If you have any questions, please reach out to scaggreenregion@scag.ca.gov for more information.
- Housing
For housing, the RPWG is a forum to engage stakeholders on several housing-related priorities. An immediate priority is to help develop supportive land use and housing-related strategies for Connect SoCal 2050; the RPWG also engages in developing and discussing other regional programs and priorities. These include:
- Regional Early Action Planning programs.
- Affirmatively furthering fair housing.
- Housing element compliance.
- Housing legislation.
- Other housing policy goals identified by the working group.
Input and discussions from the RPWG will provide information about the development of SCAG’s housing program and resources provided to local jurisdictions, regional policies for consideration in Connect SoCal, and existing and forthcoming housing legislation.
Participation is open to the public, city and county staff, housing planners, developers, advocacy and policy organizations, community-based organizations, philanthropy groups, housing-focused trade organizations, labor representatives in the housing industry, and other housing practitioners are encouraged to join.
If you have any questions, please reach out to housing@scag.ca.gov, for more information.