Mapping and Background Materials
Landscapes3 Mapping
The Landscapes Map is Chester County's guide for growth and rural resource protection to help achieve our vision. The map's six categories — four in the Growth Areas and two in the Rural Resource Areas — guide future growth while protecting the special characteristics of the county. Each landscape may be appropriate for multiple land uses, with the mix and intensity varying to reflect the character of the specific landscape. The Landscapes Map also recognizes significant historic and natural resources through map "overlays". View the interactive map to learn more about the six categories and overlays.
View all interactive maps for Landscapes3.
Background Materials
Building the Foundation
The Legacy of Landscapes
Landscapes, the county's award winning planning program for the past 20 years, focuses on protecting and enhancing the distinct character of Chester County. Municipalities, the public, and the business community embraced and adopted its strategy for balancing growth and preservation.
Landscapes3 builds on this legacy with a holistic approach to planning that incorporates smart growth principles. The plan recommends sustainable planning practices to meet the needs of today without compromising the needs of future generations. Landscapes3 promotes programs that build community and environmental resiliency.
Renewing the Legacy — Balancing preservation and growth remains the central theme of Landscapes. To continue this balance, Landscapes3 recommits to core principles that will position the county and its municipalities for success:
- Recommit to protecting the county's open spaces, natural areas, and historic landscapes;
- Guide compatible growth to the county's urban and suburban centers;
- Provide for diverse and affordable housing meeting the needs of all residents;
- Expand public transit, pedestrian, and bicycle networks;
- Promote effective multi-municipal and partner cooperation; and
- Respond to changing markets, technology and environmental forces.
Creating the Plan
Development of Landscapes3 built on the collaborative processes that made Landscapes and Landscapes2 so successful. Opportunities for offering comments, ideas, and concerns were provided throughout the multi-year process in a wide array of options.
Understanding the Issues — Trends and issues facing the county were analyzed using a series of stakeholder groups and public opinion opportunities. A series of background maps were developed to assist analysis.
- View a summary of survey results.
- View a summary of input provided at the public meeting held on October 26, 2017.
Constructing the Vision — Trends and issues were compiled, a steering committee was formed to guide development of the plan's vision, goals, and recommendations. Opportunities for public and municipal input continued throughout this phase.
Implementing the Vision — Following adoption, focus shifted to implementing the vision and recommendations through a variety of activities. These efforts will advance achievement of the goals and recommendations and guide municipalities and partners with implementation efforts.
Forces Shaping our Future
Chester County's unique location between the I-95 corridor and the rural areas dominant in central Pennsylvania provides the best of both worlds—the county not only has strong high-tech and financial industries, distinctive cultural institutions, and attractive residential communities but also has a robust agricultural industry, beautiful rolling countryside, and vibrant villages and towns. Both of these worlds provide Chester County with a high quality of place that is worth embracing and protecting as new growth and change inevitably occur. The county's 73 municipalities consist of distinct place types, from dense urban centers and evolving suburbs to rural countryside and farmland.
Regional influences — Population and business growth pressure continue to affect the county, primarily coming from Philadelphia, Wilmington, Delaware County, and the Route 422 Corridor.
Shifting preferences — Retail, office, and housing markets throughout the U.S. have shifted significantly since the Great Recession, with more people expecting experiential retail, a diverse work environment, and housing options in walkable locations.
Population changes — The county's population will grow older and more diverse as the population increases from 516,000 people in 2015* to an anticipated 662,000 in 2045. Recent population growth in the county is due to an increase in births and international in-migration. International in-migration is expected to continue and will add to the county's racial and ethnic diversity.
Income — Chester County continues to have the highest median household income in the state, at $90,503 in 2015.
*Data throughout the plan is typically current through 2015, the plan's base year.
