What are the main differences between comprehensive planning and strategic planning?

The primary distinction between comprehensive planning and strategic planning lies in their temporal focus and scope. Comprehensive planning is inherently long-term, aiming to create a broad framework that encompasses various aspects of a community's development, such as land use, housing, transportation, and environmental sustainability. It focuses on the overall vision for the future of a community and is typically concerned with integrating multiple sectors and ensuring that all elements of planning work together cohesively over a significant period.

On the other hand, strategic planning is often more focused on addressing specific, short-term objectives or challenges that an organization or community faces. It typically involves outlining actionable steps to achieve prioritized goals within a defined timeframe. This can include setting priorities, allocating resources, and determining specific initiatives that will drive progress.

Thus, stating that comprehensive planning is long-term while strategic planning is short-term accurately captures the essence of their respective frameworks and objectives in the planning process.

In short, comprehensive planning serves as a guiding document for long-term growth, while strategic planning addresses immediate needs and focuses on specific actions to achieve desired outcomes.