Q1. What is a Master Plan?
A. A Master Plan tells a community what it looks like today and what direction it has decided it wants to head in the future; it includes assessments of existing resources and issues, projections of future conditions and needs, and consideration of collective goals and desires which provide a framework for the physical development of the municipality. While the emphasis is on buildings and infrastructure, it reinforces the important social and economic values of the community. The master plan is a method of translating the community's values into specific actions. It covers a time frame of about 10–20 years; it is assumed that shorter-term reviews will keep it current with the changing needs of the community. The master plan is closely integrated with other municipal planning documents and initiatives. The Master Plan is NOT a zoning by-law, a subdivision regulation, a budget, a capital improvement program or other regulatory document. It is meant to be the basis for the preparation of these elements.

Q2. How can New Bedford make use of its Master Plan?
A. The purpose of the master plan is to enable municipal officials to better manage change and to inform residents and businesses about the community's characteristics, trends, and policies. The plan will guide future residential, commercial and industrial growth in New Bedford.

Q3. What does the New Bedford master planning process look like?
A. The master planning process contains three basic tasks. Public involvement is included throughout all phases.

• Task 1 consists of data collection and analysis and is the planning phase that determines the content of the plan for all elements.
• Task 2 is when the draft plan is produced for public review and comment, and includes implementation actions.
• Task 3 is the time for final review, documentation, and adoption of the plan by the City of New Bedford Planning Board.

Q4. How will people in the community participate and learn what is going on during the master planning process?
A. All planning meetings are open to the public. Specific meetings will be advertised to solicit and encourage community participation. A variety of means will be used to keep people informed, for example: newspaper, twitter, cable TV, newsletters, and the City web site.

The public is encouraged to participate in the master planning process by attending the Upcoming Meetings and Events and/or by Giving Us Your Input.