The City of Santa Fe is pleased to announce the launch of Santa Fe Forward, a major initiative to update the City’s 1999 General Plan and establish a long-term vision for the future.  

This comprehensive update is a critical opportunity for community members to shape policies that will guide Santa Fe through 2050, addressing key policy areas such as housing, water, transportation, land use, sustainability, and public services. Through collaborative engagement and outreach efforts, the city is calling on the community to help create a plan that reflects today’s needs and aspirations while laying the foundation for a thriving and resilient Santa Fe for generations to come.

The current General Plan was adopted in 1999, and while many of its core values remain relevant, Santa Fe has changed. Emerging challenges such as advancements in technology, housing affordability, climate change, and economic shifts require a renewed, forward-thinking approach. Comprehensive plans like Santa Fe’s are typically updated every 25 years to adapt to evolving community needs and long-term priorities. Santa Fe Forward will build on the foundation of past planning efforts while incorporating updated data, actionable strategies, and most importantly, community input.

What will Santa Fe Forward include?

The updated General Plan will serve as a long-term roadmap, covering key areas including, but not limited to, the following:

• Vision, Goals & Policies - Establishing clear objectives to guide Santa Fe’s future.
• Land Use & Development - Defining land use characteristics across the city and policy priorities to shape preservation, change and growth over time.
• Housing, Neighborhoods & Transportation – Developing policies to address housing needs, mobility, and connectivity.
• Natural Environment & Climate Change - Creating strategies for water management, environmental sustainability and resilience.
• Public Services, Facilities & Culture - Planning for the provision of City services, parks, libraries, public safety, and more.

How to Get Involved

Public participation is essential to making Santa Fe Forward a success and ensuring that the plan is reflective of community needs and priorities. The more voices that are included, the stronger and more inclusive the plan will be. Click here to learn more about these opportunities to get involved and make a difference:

• Attend Public Events – Share your thoughts in person by joining open houses, community conversations, and tabling events. Check the project website for upcoming dates.
• Engage in Online Activities – Visit the project website to explore and participate in an interactive map, project survey, and provide feedback through other digital tools.
• Apply for the Community Partner Program – Community-based organizations are encouraged to apply for a mini grant to help engage diverse voices and ensure broad, equitable representation. Applications can be found on the project website and can be submitted to info@santafeforward.org by April 6, 2025.
• Join the Technical Working Group – Help shape the future of Santa Fe by applying to serve on this advisory group, which provides technical guidance on key topics in the General Plan Update. To apply, please send a letter of interest and resume to info@santafeforward.org by April 6, 2025.

Further, keep an eye out for the Santa Fe Forward logo on various public facing materials, such as flyers, roadside signs, and social media posts. This logo, featured below, showcases the iconic prickly pear cactus, one of the many symbols deeply tied to Santa Fe’s identity. The tagline, “Embracing Our Heritage, Empowering Our Future,” reflects the plan’s commitment to build on the city’s rich cultural legacy and diversity while preparing for a future that embraces new opportunities and evolving needs.

Click here for updates, upcoming events, and ways to share your input. You can also follow the City of Santa Fe on social media for the latest news on the project. For any questions, email us at info@santafeforward.org or leave a voicemail at 505-878-6520, and the project team will be in touch.