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About the Municipal Land Use Center

Addressing the Region's Municipal Concerns

Difficulties resulting from suburban sprawl have become a major concern throughout the United States . Nowhere is this concern greater than in Central New Jersey where municipalities located within the five-county region of Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth and Somerset counties have experienced rapid suburban growth and inconsistent revitalization of older centers.

Despite the existence of New Jersey 's State Plan, New Jersey 's laudable regional planning initiatives and a sound municipal legal framework, there is an increasingly strong desire to create more livable communities in the face of persistent population pressures, continuing fiscal distress, increased traffic congestion, rising housing costs, and ongoing environmental threats. This strengthened desire is generating the demand for increased technical and financial assistance to enhance local land-use decision-making.

MLUC @ TCNJ acknowledges the importance of local land-use decision-making, seeking to support it by providing technical assistance and facilitating access to valuable and additional state, federal and non-governmental resources.

The Mission

MLUC @ TCNJ's mission is to support municipal governments in meeting the region's land use challenges by identifying opportunities for improved development and redevelopment, open space acquisition, and farmland preservation through the provision of education and training, essential tools, technical assistance and referrals to lead to more livable communities for the 21st century.

MLUC @ TCNJ will encourage more compact, walkable, aesthetically attractive and less automobile-dependent new development and redevelopment patterns. These patterns need to accommodate future growth while also taking into account local and regional impacts related to fiscal, transportation, environmental and affordable housing concerns.

The Role

MLUC @ TCNJ will perform a valuable role in the region's future development and redevelopment as an accessible and convenient "first stop" source for:

regional demographic, employment and land use data
education and training
a best planning practices archive
open space acquisition and farmland preservation tools
development and redevelopment guidance
land use management and conflict resolution
State Plan cross-acceptance and plan endorsement assistance

MLUC will perform these functions directly, or by referrals to appropriate public agencies or non-governmental organizations.

Academic Relationship

MLUC @ TCNJ is located on the campus of The College of New Jersey and draws upon the College's ample academic resources including faculty, students and research facilities.
MLUC is located in McCauley House on The College of New Jersey campus. Directions

Funding

MLUC @ TCNJ is funded by a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) grant that is administered by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT). The grant to fund the center was secured by Congressman Rush Holt (D-12th C.D.).