New Ruralism: Town and County Collaboration in Planning

Small towns and rural counties across the country are facing similar challenges: farmland loss, aging infrastructure, and tight budgets. This presentation highlights how Shenandoah County, Woodstock, and Mount Jackson in Virginia are tackling these pressures through collaborative planning and the principles of New Ruralism.

Within the past year, all three communities have completed comprehensive plans that align visions, reinforce codes, and direct investment to towns, villages, and hamlets. Just as importantly, the county and towns have extended this collaboration into real projects: an accessory dwelling unit design competition, coordinated housing studies, joint transit services, trail planning, and infill redevelopment initiatives.

Presenters draw on research conducted by University of Virginia students exploring urban form, local economic value, and community design strategies. They share how leaders engaged thousands of residents through innovative outreach, crafted shared policy tools, and developed implementation systems such as accountability dashboards.

The discussion highlights Woodstock's "Four Big Ideas," Shenandoah County's "Six Big Ideas," and Mount Jackson's "Six Goals" as replicable models. Leave with practical strategies for aligning plans, managing investment, and advancing regional partnerships that move vision into action.
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