Innovation and Reform, Intentional Inaction, and Tactical Breakdown

Abstract

This study evaluates the regulatory implementation process of the concurrency policy between 1985 and 2000. One of the main pillars of the 1985 Florida Growth Management Act, this policy is also a significant innovation in the growth management movement in the United States. Concurrency is a Florida statewide policy that requires local governments to provide public facilities needed to support development “concurrent” with the impacts of such projects. The study sheds light on different decision-making styles of state and local planning bureaucracies, including their relationships to legislative intentions. Concurrency began as a significant innovation and quickly lapsed into nondecision that was followed by both technical failures and adaptation efforts. In its most critical area, transportation concurrency, a tactical breakdown became evident. The implementation record of the policy shows mixed results.