Section 10-A219. INCREASING ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT: GUIDING PRINCIPLES

 

219.116. Increasing access to jobs and education by District residents is fundamental to improving the lives and economic well being of District residents. Education must equip students with the skills and tools to succeed. 219.1

 

219.217. An economically strong and viable District of Columbia is essential to the economic health and well being of the region. Thus, a broad spectrum of private and public growth (with an appropriate level of supporting infrastructure) should be encouraged. The District’s economic development strategies must capitalize on the city’s location at the center of the region’s transportation and communication systems. 219.2

 

219.318. Increasing access to education and employment is linked to broader social goals such as strengthening families, creating a better future for the city’s youth, and reducing chronic and concentrated poverty. Therefore, physical plans for the city must be accompanied by plans and programs to improve our educational system, improve literacy and job training, and link residents to quality jobs. 219.3

 

219.419. The overarching goals of the Comprehensive Plan cannot be achieved without sustained investment in public school and library facilities. The physical condition of these facilities must be improved before the vision of a more inclusive city can be truly achieved. 219.4

 

219.520. Colleges and universities make the District an intellectual capital as well as a political capital. They are an essential part of the District’s plans to grow its “knowledge based” economy, improve access to learning, and broaden economic prosperity for all District residents. Sustaining our colleges and universities is important, as is protecting the integrity of the communities of which they are a part. Encouraging access to higher education for all residents is vitally important, as is locating higher education facilities in neighborhoods currently underserved by such facilities. 219.5

 

219.621. Land development policies should be focused to create job opportunities for District residents. This means that sufficient land should be planned and zoned for new job centers in areas with high unemployment and under-employment. A mix of employment opportunities to meet the needs of residents with varied job skills should be provided. 219.6

 

219.722. Providing more efficient, convenient, and affordable transportation for residents to access jobs in the District and in the surrounding region is critical to achieve the goal of increasing District residents’ access to employment. 219.7

 

219.823. Downtown should be strengthened as the region’s major employment center, as its cultural center; as a center for government, tourism and international business; and as an exciting urban mixed-use neighborhood. Policies should strive to increase the number of jobs for District residents, enhance retail opportunities, promote access to Downtown from across the District and the region, and restore Downtown’s prominence as the heart of the city. 219.8

 

219.924. Despite the recent economic resurgence in the city, the District has yet to reach its full economic potential. Expanding the economy means increasing shopping and services for many District neighborhoods, bringing tourists beyond the National Mall and into the city’s business districts, and creating more opportunities for local entrepreneurs and small businesses. The District’s economic development expenditures should help support local businesses and provide economic benefits to the community. 219.9

 

notation

The provisions of Title 10, Part A of the DCMR accessible through this web interface are codification of the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. As such, they do not represent the organic provisions adopted by the Council of the District of Columbia. The official version of the District Elements only appears as a hard copy volume of Title 10, Part A published pursuant to section 9a of the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1994, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; D.C. Official Code § 1 -301.66)) . In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions accessible through this site and the provisions contained in the published version of Title 10, Part A, the provisions contained in the published version govern. A copy of the published District Elements is available www.planning.dc.gov.