Maryland Department of Planning

The Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) promotes growth that fosters vibrant, livable communities, preserves and protects historical, cultural, and natural assets, and makes efficient use of State resources. MDP’s works to discourage growth that results in “sprawl” development. It supports and advances development that meets these four, straightforward goals:

• Support existing communities by targeting resources to support development in areas where infrastructure exists;
• Save our most valuable natural, historical, and cultural resources before they are forever lost;
• Save taxpayers from the high cost of building infrastructure to serve development that has spread far from our traditional population centers; and
• Provide Marylanders with a high quality of life, whether they choose to live in a rural community, suburb, small town, or city.