Bring the “Buffalo Niagara’s Climate Challenge” game to your meeting or community.
This winter and spring, the UB Regional Institute team will bring the community engagement game to group settings across the region. The game helps to build understanding about actions we can take to reduce emissions and is a key means by which we'll incorporate feedback from the community into the Comprehensive Climate Action Plan. If you have a committee, community organization, classroom, or any other group you think would like to engage with this activity, please let us know by following the link below.
One Region Forward Towards a Sustainable Future.
One Region Forward is a broad-based, collaborative effort to promote more regional thinking in how we plan and develop the Buffalo Niagara Region (Erie and Niagara counties). It seeks to promote sustainable forms of development in land use, transportation, housing, energy and climate, access to food, and more.
One Region Forward was launched in 2012 by a group of local organizations from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Over a three year period, they worked together with more than 700 local organizations and thousands of residents to develop a vision and plan for the region. This inclusive process was acknowledged with the 2016 National Planning Achievement Award for public outreach by the American Planning Association.
Implementation of One Region Forward relies on the efforts of many – local governments, the private sector, state agencies, regional nonprofits, community-based organizations, and even local residents. Supporting that effort is an Implementation Council co-chaired by the Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Council and the UB School of Architecture and Planning that meets quarterly to discuss progress/regress and develop and identify opportunities for collaborative and local action.
A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara
One Region Forward’s Regional Plan for Sustainable Development entitled “A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara” weaves together nearly three years of research, community engagement, partnership building and planning by over 5,000 citizens and more than 700 local organizations.
The plan explores ideas and potential strategies to align our actions to our values, providing a basic framework for moving the region towards a more sustainable, resilient, prosperous and opportunity-rich future.
The plan is designed to be a decision-making tool. It offers insights on the future impacts of various approaches to regional development and provides guidance on how our region can work together to create a sustainable, livable Buffalo Niagara for the 21st Century.
Read the full document online in booklet form. Or click below for a single page PDF.
A Plan Summary
A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara summarizes and describes three years of research, community engagement, partnership building and planning and offers a framework for moving the region forward.
Report Card 2018
This report card measures Buffalo Niagara’s progress on the indicators included in One Region Forward’s Regional Plan for Sustainable Development A New Way to Plan for Buffalo Niagara.
Growing Together
Growing Together offers details on recommended strategies and information regarding food access and justice for Buffalo Niagara echoing community concerns over weaknesses in the region’s food system.
Resilient Buffalo Niagara
Resilient Buffalo Niagara is a research-driven strategy document that offers guidance on how the region can better prepare for climate change.
Complete Communities
This planning/policy document provides details on housing-related recommendations and outlines best practices to consider in our region.
Fair Housing Equity
The Fair Housing Equity Assessment (FHEA) is intended to advise on issues of equity and opportunity in regional decision-making.
The Dollars & $ense of Development Patterns
This study takes a look at tax production and value per acre of various geographies in relation to local tax base and revenue stream.
Imagining the Future of Niagara Street
Scenario planning to create a vision and to understand the impacts for the future of a stretch of Niagara Street in the city’s “Upper Rock” neighborhood.
Imagining the Future of Niagara Falls Neighborhood
How could removal of the Robert Moses Parkway and construction of the Niagara Falls Intermodal Railway Station help revitalize the surrounding neighborhood?
Plan Library
Below, you can navigate our library of plans. They are organized by date and geography. If you know of a plan pertaining to the Buffalo Niagara region and cannot locate it here, please contact us at info@oneregionforward.org.
The Grouping of Public Buildings and Gardens
Report on the City Plan and Public Building Sites
The Thruways and Buffalo’s Future
Town and Village of Wilson Master Plan
Downtown Renewal Study
Buffalo Master Plan
Reflections
Town of Niagara Comprehensive Plan
Village of Youngstown Master Plan
Buffalo City Plan
Town of Hamburg LWRP
City of North Tonawanda LWRP
City of Lackawanna LWRP
Village of Youngstown LWRP
Town of Tonawanda LWRP
Town of Lockport Southwest Sector Plan
Town of Holland Master Plan
Town of Holland Park Master Plan
Town of North Colllins Comprehensive Plan
Town of Cambria Comprehensive Plan
Town of Newfane LWRP
Town of Marilla Comprehensive Plan
City of Lockport Comprehensive Plan
Comprehensive Plan for the Town of Hartland
Town of Newfane 2015 Master Plan
Town of Collins – Village of Gowanda Master Plan
Town of Evans Comprehensive Plan
Town of Concord – Village of Springville Comprehensive Plan
Niagara County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan
Town of Eden 2015 Comprehensive Plan
Lancaster – Depew Comprehensive Plan
Village of Alden Comprehensive Plan
Town of Lewiston Comprehensive Plan
Town of Newstead – Village of Akron Comprehensive Plan
City of Lackawanna Comprehensive Plan 2020
Town of Clarence Master Plan 2015
Rethinking the Niagara Frontier
Town of Colden Master Plan
Tonawanda Waterfront Rezoning Study and Land Use Plan
City of Tonawanda Comprehensive Plan
The Orchard Park Plan
Town of Boston Comprehensive Plan
Village of Hamburg Strategic Plan
Draft Regional Comprehensive Plan for Auora, Elma, Holland, Wales, and East Aurora
An Assessment of Niagara Falls’ Waterfront Planning
Village of Middleport LWRP
Lower West Side Housing Design Guidelines
Revealing Niagara
Erie County Parks System Master Plan
Sheridan Parkside Village Courts Development Plan
Town of Sardinia Comprehensive Plan
Comprehensive Plan for the Village of Kenmore Business District
Town of Brant – Village of Farnham Master Plan
Village of Angola Comprehensive Plan
Master Plan and Final EIS for Amherst State Park
Town of Somerset Comprehensive Plan
Queen City Hub
Town of Amherst Recreation & Parks Master Plan
Comprehensive Plan for the Town of Porter
Town of Wheatfield Comprehensive Plan
Village of Lewiston Master Plan
Comprehensive Three Year Local Plan 2005-2008
Town of Tonawanda Comprehensive Plan
Town of Clarence Parks & Recreation Master Plan
Niagara County Business Development and Commercial Revitalization Study
Niagara National Heritage Area Study Act
Town of Somerset LWRP
The Buffalo Niagara Cultural Tourism Initiative
Blueprint Buffalo
Town of West Seneca Comprehensive Plan
Town of Grand Island LWRP
City of Niagara Falls USA Niagara River Greenway Vision and Project Proposals
Niagara Falls International Airport Bi-National Air Cargo Gateway Study
Larkin District Plan
Queen City in the 21st Century
Building UB: The Comprehensive Physical Plan
The Framework for Regional Growth
Town of Orchard Park Comprehensive Plan
Town of Evans Stormwater Management Plan
Supplemental Draft Generic EIS for Clarence Hollow Pollution Abatement Project
Town of Amherst Bicentennial Comprehensive Plan
Town of Hamburg 2007 Comprehensive Plan Update
Tourism Toolkit for the Southtowns
Town of Royalton Comprehensive Plan
Preserving Our Heritage and Planning Our Future
Building a Neighborhood of Choice
Queen City Waterfront
The Western New York Southtowns Scenic Byway
The Niagara River Greenway Plan and Final EIS
Revisioning Brownfields: A Regional Strategic Approach
Town of Tonawanda LWRP Amendment
Village of Williamsville Community Plan
Orchard Park Economic Development Committee Strategic Plan
Proposed Remedial Action Plan for Depew Village Landfill
Buffalo Avenue Industrial Corridor Proposed BOA
City of Lockport BOA Draft Pre-Nomination Study
City of North Tonawanda Comprehensive Plan
Town of Pendleton Comprehensive Plan for 2025
Transit North Historic Canalway Corridor Plan
Historic Black Rock: War of 1812 Bicentennial Community Plan
The Olmsted City
2008 Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan
Erie County’s Road to a Bright Future
Village of Williamsville Water Mill Final Re-Use Report
Town of Tonawanda Old Town Neighborhood Plan
Town of Alden Water District Number 5 Plan
Town of Alden Comprehensive Plan
Sowing the Seeds for Southtowns Agribusiness
Highland Avenue BOA Community Participation Plan
Buffalo Avenue Heritage District Revitalization Strategy
Comprehensive Plan for City of Niagara Falls
Niagara County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan
Niagara Communities Comprehensive Plan 2030
Canalside Wine Emporium Project
Management Action Plan for the Former Lake Ontario Ordnance Works
Town of Lockport Design Guidelines for Commercial Site Plans
Master Plan for the Richardson Olmsted Complex
South Buffalo BOA – Nomination Document
Proposed Remedial Action Plan for Buffalo Lakeside Commerce Park
The WNY Environmental Alliance – Our Shared Agenda for Action
Buffalo Niagara: Where Industry Creates Energy
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action Plan
The 14th Biennial Report on Great Lakes Water Quality
Impact of Urban Areas on Great Lakes Water Quality
The International Watersheds Initiative
2009 New York State Rail Plan
The NYS Park System: An Economic Asset to the Empire State
Town of Lancaster Stormwater Management Plan
RESTORE III – Lackawanna Redevelopment Plan
Village of Hamburg Comprehensive Plan Update
Town of Hamburg Five Year Consolidated Plan
Lake Erie Beach Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy
Town of Cheektowaga Comprehensive Plan and Generic EIS
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Niagara County
Niagara County Stormwater Management Program Plan
Proposed Remedial Action Plan for Eighteenmile Creek Corridor Site
Buffalo Harbor Bridge Final Scoping Report
Black Rock Canal Park Feasibility Analysis
Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus Master Plan Update
Greater Buffalo Niagara 2035 Long-Range Transportation Plan
2011-2015 Transportation Improvement Program
Tonawanda BOA Pre-Nomination Study
Town of Hamburg LWRP Amendment
Town of Evans LWRP
Town of Tonawanda’s Proposed Third Program Year Action Plan
Proposed Remedial Action Plan for Frontier Chemical – Royal Avenue
Highland Community Area BOA – Nomination Document
Eighteenmile Creek Restoration Project Plan
Town of Lewiston Comprehensive Plan Update
Village of Barker Capital Improvement Plan
Village of Lewiston LWRP
Green Infrastructure Solutions to Buffalo’s Sewer Overflow Challenge
A Vision for the Michigan Street Heritage Corridor
Updated Addendum to Stage 2 Remedial Action Plan Report Buffalo River AOC
Buffalo River Restoration Feasibility Study
Buffalo Promise Neighborhood Needs Assessment Study
Buffalo Harbor Bridge Placemaking Report
Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan
The WNY Regional Economic Development Strategic Plan
Niagara Region Transportation Strategy Update
Strategic Plan for State Forest Management
Erie County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan
Town of Clarence Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan
Community Development Block Grant Final 2012 Action Plan
Town and Village of Wilson Comprehensive Plan
Facilities Master Plan for Buffalo State College
PUSH-BNSC Development Plan
Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Draft Management Plan
Buffalo Green Code Draft Land Use Plan
Buffalo Building Reuse Project Report
Picture Main Street
WNY Sustainability Plan
A Vision for Elmwood Village
Buffalo River Corridor BOA – Nomination Document
Buffalo Harbor BOA – Nomination Document
City of Buffalo LWRP
Niagara River Habitat Conservation Strategy
City of Buffalo Bicycle Master Plan
Niagara Street Now
Racial Equity Dividend
Tonawanda Tomorrow
Town of Grand Island 2018 Comprehensive Plan
Lancaster – Depew Joint Comprehensive Plan
Rain Check 1.0
Moving Forward 2050
Rain Check 2.0 Opportunity Report
East Side Corrirdor Economic Development Fund
Bike Buffalo Niagara Regional Bicycle Master Plan
Citizen Planning School
The Citizen Planning School is designed to empower Buffalo Niagara residents to be agents for change in their local communities. The program was launched in 2014 as part of the One Region Forward planning process and offers participants tools to increase the sustainability of their communities and ultimately, the region at large. Read more.
The Citizen Planning School Champions for Change program is returning this Spring 2022. Please read more for application guidelines and apply before January 27th, 2023.
Lessons from Climate Smart Communities
> Register TodayLearning Series Workshops
Introduced in 2020, the One Region Forward Learning Series is part of ongoing efforts to support local action around the plan’s vision. Each session focuses on a topic related to One Region Forward’s implementation agenda and includes information, resources, and case studies on how ideas can move into implementation at the local level.
Recent Learning Series Events
In case you missed them, recordings and other materials from past events in the Learning Series are available below.
Lessons from Climate Smart Communities
How can you make local policy food system friendly?
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Technical Assistance and Resources
Throughout the One Region Forward planning process, the need for hands-on technical assistance and planning guidance was continually expressed by communities from across the region. As the plan gets implemented, the cross-sectional partnership of public, private, and nonprofit organizations guiding One Region Forward continue to seek opportunities to secure funding and develop programming that can assist local communities as they take on local sustainability actions. Below are some of the partner-led technical assistance offerings that can support local implementation of One Region Forward along with our scenario planning guidebook.
Clean Energy Communities
Supports Buffalo Niagara communities to help develop clean energy programs, policies, and projects.
To learn more and seek assistance >>Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper
Offers programming to help communities protect the undeveloped headwater forests and wetlands in our watersheds.
To learn more and seek assistance >>Scenario Planning
Scenario planning allows communities to imagine potential alternative futures and test their impact.
View guidebook>>