Legacy Action Plan

In 2000, the City Council adopted the  Legacy Action Plan, Burlington’s 2030 vision. This plan provides a blueprint for change for the economic, environmental, social, and cultural health of Burlington for generations to come and is the result of hundreds of people coming together from around the City to build a common vision for Burlington’s future. Through this process, they recognized the challenges that increasing suburban sprawl poses not only to the economic and social vitality of our city, but also to the environmental and social health of our entire region. They have seen that Burlington’s growth has subsided in recent years and that this trend may not bode well for the future.

Working together, they have committed to reversing this trend and to spurring the growth in high-quality jobs, affordable housing opportunities, and public and private infrastructure that will assure Burlington’s continued preeminence as the economic and cultural hub of northern Vermont.

At the same time as this plan calls for carefully planned growth, it recognizes that we cannot abandon our commitment to the very things that make Burlington a special place in which to live, work, and raise our families.

It affirms that growth can only happen together with a firm commitment to preserving our city’s physical and natural environment, maintaining open space, and strengthening the integrity and quality of life in our neighborhoods and families. It also recognizes that our commitment to the health and vitality of future generations begins with investing in greater educational, employment, social, and recreational opportunities for the young people of today.

Working collaboratively with unity of purpose, we will achieve the healthy future detailed in this plan through the strong, active involvement of all the city’s residents in governance and day-to-day decision-making. People from all sectors of our community must continue to strive together to make our collective vision a reality.

This Burlington Legacy Project Action Plan provides a road map to a healthier tomorrow. It calls for those who “work, live and play” in Burlington to “navigate together the exciting and rewarding journey that it details”.

Please visit the Legacy Report Card Update to see how we are doing in addressing the priority actions identified by the community 10 years ago.