1983•Unpublished venueRequires access
THE ROLE, FUNCTION AND EFFECTIVENESS OF METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATIONS
A R Tomazinis, R B Mitchell
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Abstract
The main objective of this research project is to explore the effectiveness of the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) in this country through the use of an indepth analysis of two representative MPOs and the systematic scanning of another 16 such organizations representative of the various conditions and circumstances prevailing in the different regions of the country. In order to assess the effectiveness of the MPO agencies, the project included the role and function of these agencies. Further, the project focused on regional planning instrumentalities that have been formally designated by the Governor of each state as MPOs, as required by Federal regulations. The MPOs that were selected for an in-depth analysis are the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission and the Wilmington Metropolitan Area Planning and Coordinating Council. The research approached in the analysis was based on extensive interviews, detailed review of numerous documents, and actual observation of the operations of the agencies. The findings of this research effort suggest that the MPOs are, in general, performing effectively in dispensing the strict Federal and State programmatic objectives. Most of the MPO agencies were created to meet the Federal 3C requirements and to bring to each region as much Federal funding as possible. The report points out that these objectives are being well met in most cases, but that the effectiveness of MPOs is rather limited in delivering regional planning services to the regions in a broad enough framework that encompasses developmental planning and strategic regional planning. The report concludes that a primary factor in improving the regional planning effectiveness of MPOs seems to be the increase of the appreciation of these agencies locally, an increase of the work program flexibility of the agencies themselves, and an improvement of their funding capability to undertake work well beyond the Federal and State programmatic tasks.