Planning Department Publications and Related Materials, 1966-1990

Archives Collections Finding Guides and Inventories

Scope and Contents

Printed studies and plans and related materials documenting the history of coordinated urban planning by the City of Dallas from the mid-1960s to 1990. Urban planning is defined as the scientific, aesthetic, and orderly disposition of land, resources, and facilities and involves larger considerations such as the physical, economic and social efficiency, health and well-being of urban and rural communities.

The City of Dallas attempted to impose a zoning and planning policy making body as early as 1916 but an actual board, the City Plan Commission, was not created until 1919. As established in the City Charter, the Commission is responsible for making recommendations to the City Council regarding planning and zoning matters, and for administering portions of the Texas [State] Local Government Code regarding the platting and recording of subdivisions and additions.

Early planning was coordinated through the Commission and the City Engineer, and a Department of City Planning was created in 1945. Departmental organization changed many times between the 1950s and the 1990s, and in October 2002 the Dallas City Council created a Development Services Department. The department  provides permit and plan review, approval and inspection services for private development.

The collection contains printed publications developed and written by the City of Dallas Planning Department. The bulk of the collection’s documents were internally produced but because of their connection to Dallas planning, there are several items published by non-governmental entities.

Series Outline (See additional detailed inventory)