Regional Plan Association (RPA) is a New York-based nonprofit civic organization focused on the future of the New York–New Jersey–Connecticut metropolitan region. Its work examines how planning and public policy can improve the region’s economic health, environmental resilience, equity and quality of life.24
RPA’s roots date to 1922, when civic leaders and planning experts formed a committee to study the region across municipal boundaries. The first Regional Plan of New York and Its Environs appeared in 1929, the year RPA formally incorporated to help put the plan into practice.35 Since then, the association has produced four long-range regional plans.11
Today, RPA describes its area as a 31-county metropolitan region. It conducts research and advocacy on issues including transportation, housing, energy and the environment, and works with state committees in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.14 Its current president and CEO is Tom Wright.710
Among its prominent initiatives is the Gateway Program, for which RPA leads the Build Gateway Now coalition of civic, labor and business leaders.1 The association’s longer-term planning tradition is also reflected in its successive regional plans, which have addressed the growth and development of the tri-state area.11
RPA is headquartered at One Whitehall Street in New York City and also has offices in New Jersey and Connecticut.24