National Capital Planning Commission

The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) is a U.S. government agency that helps plan and guide development in Washington, D.C., and the areas around it. Its job is to make sure that growth in the nation’s capital is done in a way that protects important places and resources.

The commission has 12 members. These include people chosen by the president—one from Virginia and one from Maryland—as well as the mayor of Washington, D.C., the leader of the Council of the District of Columbia, and representatives from Congress, like the chairs of the House and Senate committees that review matters related to Washington, D.C. It also includes leaders from big government agencies that own land, such as the Department of Defense, the Department of the Interior, and the General Services Administration.

The NCPC works with a team of experts, including planners, architects, and designers, to help guide how the capital grows and changes while keeping its special character.

History

Congress created the "National Capital Park Commission" in 1924 to help protect parks and natural areas around Washington, D.C. This included keeping forests safe and stopping pollution in important rivers like Rock Creek, the Potomac, and the Anacostia. Two years later, in 1926, Congress changed the name to the "National Capital Park and Planning Commission" and gave it more duties for planning the whole Washington area.

In 1952, a new law called the National Capital Planning Act gave the commission its current name and the job of protecting important natural and historic places in the area. Later, in 1973, the Home Rule Act moved some local planning powers to the District of Columbia government. The Commission still looks after federally-owned land and buildings in the region and gives advice to the District on certain land use choices.

Responsibilities

The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) helps guide planning in Washington, D.C., and the nearby area. It follows many laws that shape its work, such as the Height of Buildings Act of 1910 and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

The NCPC has several main jobs. It reviews plans for important buildings and projects to make sure they look good and follow rules. It also helps create long-term plans for the city to grow wisely and support local planning. The NCPC makes special plans for topics like security and transportation. Each year, it looks at ideas for improving federal buildings and advises which ones to support. The NCPC works closely with other groups, like the National Park Service and the District Department of Transportation.

Key planning initiatives

The National Capital Planning Commission has created important plans to guide the future of Washington, D.C. One major plan from 1997, called Extending the Legacy: Planning America's Capital, suggests new places for museums, memorials, and federal offices throughout the city.

Other plans focus on different areas. The Memorials and Museums Master Plan looks at possible spots for future museums and memorials. The Monumental Core Framework Plan aims to make areas near the National Mall more lively and accessible. CapitalSpace examines ways to improve parks and open spaces in the city. The SW Ecodistrict Plan envisions turning a large area into a sustainable neighborhood. The Pennsylvania Avenue Initiative works on ideas to renew Pennsylvania Avenue between the White House and the U.S. Capitol. Beyond Granite plans new temporary commemorative works to include more diverse stories in the nation’s capital.

International activities

The NCPC helped start something called the Capitals Alliance. This group brings together planners and designers from capital cities all over the world.

The NCPC also welcomes visitors from other countries. These visitors include planners, teachers, and other people interested in learning about the work the NCPC does. They talk about ideas and share thoughts on planning and designing great capital cities.

Public participation

The National Capital Planning Commission holds meetings that anyone can attend. People can also share their thoughts about the Commission's plans and work.