The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) is WILMAPCO’s annual work program identifying the planning priorities and activities to be carried out within the region. The UPWP includes a description of the planning work and resulting products, who will perform the work, time frames for completing the work, the cost of the work, and the source(s) of funding. 

The public comment period for the draft FY 2026 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) is open through April 24, 2025. To review and comment on the document visit: www.wilmapco.org/upwp.

As reported by TownSquareLive, "In a move to enhance public awareness and engagement in land development activities, New Castle County Executive Marcus A. Henry has issued an  Executive Order, mandating additional public notice requirements for land development projects."

The Community Development Institute (CDI) Mid-Atlantic certificate program is offered through the Biden School at the University of Delaware. Through a comprehensive, applied approach to community and economic development, CDI advances individual and community leadership skills. Join the CDI program on April 7^th to 10^th:  For more information, please contact Roger Hesketh at: rogergh@udel.edu.

The Maryland Department of Transportation released its draft Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), which compiles State, local and regional highway and transit projects that are federally funded and planned for study and construction over the next four years. The public comment period will be open through April 4, 2025. 

As reported by Planetizen, "As autonomous vehicles (AVs) transition from concept to reality, urban planners face the critical task of preparing city infrastructure to accommodate this technological evolution.."

As reported by Governing, "States are looking for alternate ways to fund transportation infrastructure as gas tax revenues dwindle. Despite years of study, only a few have adopted road user charges."

As reported by Public Square, "Walkability benefits health. Among the most frightful diseases, dementia is on the rise as our population ages. Dementia is scary because it has the potential to strip away our personality while we live—but environmental factors can increase or reduce risk. One of those factors is walkability, according to a meta-analysis of 54 studies released a few weeks ago by the University of Georgia, working with other academic researchers."