In the third edition of this handbook, Smith explains the community planning process in non-technical terms and demonstrates the need for widespread citizen involvement in community development. Updated to address the new challenges that face planners in the 1990s, "The Citizen's Guide to Planning" provides a resource for new planning board members and other newcomers to the planning process. The scope of the book ranges from the basic concepts of planning to the new institutions, organizations, issues and legislation that have changed the planning process over several decades. From definitions of basic concepts to summaries of major legislation, this is a practical guide to mastering an often complicated process. Discussions of the National Affordable Housing Act, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, and the Clean Air Act prepare citizens to cope with the effect of recent legislation on planning.