A master plan is a dynamic long-term planning document that provides a conceptual layout to guide future growth and development. Master planning is about making the connection between buildings, social settings, and their surrounding environments. A Master Plan includes analysis, recommendations, and proposals for a site’s population, economy, housing, transportation, Community Facilities, and land-use.
The master plan is the planning document which gives a general framework which includes planning for the development of downtown or the centre city area. The characteristics of a master plan are that it plans for the physical development of the downtown, that it is future oriented and that it is geographically inclusive and looks at the entire downtown or centre city.
> The master plan consists of future directions of development, policy and implantation of the same.
> It sets out how a particular area can develop and redevelop into the future.
> A high-level plan intended to set out objectives and strategies to manage development and change over time.
> A process that defines what is important about a place and how its character and quality can be conserved, improved and enhanced.
> Master plans can have an important role in determining the shape of the urban environment.
> Master Plans generally prepare for 20 years of the horizon period.