Urban comprehensive planning in the United States: the case of Arizona and Pima County

Abstract

In an instructive way, the theoretical framework of urban comprehensive planning in the United States is presented. Emphasis on the impact of the Smart Growth policies in many American states is placed, such as Arizona in the 1990s. The analysis of the urban comprehensive plans, supported by interviews with experts, allows to get deep into the territorial governance and social innovation planning methodologies. The conclusions of this article show new efforts in citizen participation and good practices to take into account for spatial planning in Spain and Europe.