Planning for Smart Growth Planning is a process that seeks to define and implement the goals of a community and a society. It is a complex and multi-faceted process, involving problem solving, intervention, and the reallocation of resources to pursue defined objectives. The Planning Process Municipal planning, at its best, is based on public participation and a vision of what the community should look like. Smart Growth Audits & Scorecards Smart growth audits and scorecards let communities or regions evaluate how well existing policies, projects, and plans meet a series of defined smart growth principles. Regional & County Planning Environmental, economic, and social problems do not stop at a municipality's border. In many cases, taking a region-wide, county-wide, or state-wide approach to planning can be the most economically efficient, environmentally sustainable, and socially equitable approach. Learn More About Planning in New Jersey From continuing education courses to websites to manuals, there are many ways to learn more about the nitty-gritty of New Jersey's planning process. Government Guide Here's everything you always wanted to know about federal, state, county, and local government, but were afraid to ask.