Gwinnett County 2045 Unified Plan

Gwinnett County, Georgia, has grown from a collection of quiet towns into a vibrant, diverse community of more than one million residents — one of the most diverse counties in the country, representing 180 nationalities. Its physical form still reflects its suburban, car-dependent nature, but growth, evolving demographics, and changing preferences have magnified the importance of building sustainable communities. Residents and elected leaders are committed to realizing the vision: "Gwinnett is the preferred community where everyone thrives!"

The Gwinnett County 2045 Unified Plan embraces this moment of transformation — acknowledging both the challenges and opportunities that come with rapid growth and demographic change. At its core, the plan reimagines the "15-Minute City" for a suburban setting. Unlike traditional urban models that focus on walkability, Gwinnett's "mode-agnostic" approach prioritizes accessibility for everyone, no matter how they travel. Each "Daily Community" — classified as an urban corridor, village, or halo — celebrates local character while encouraging mobility, diverse housing choices, and shared public spaces. The result is the Daily Community framework — 87 distinct communities where services, transportation, and public spaces are within reach of every resident.

Built around seven interconnected elements — land use, economic development, housing, sustainable infrastructure, transportation, community resources, and broadband — the plan offers a vision for a more connected, equitable, and resilient future.

Community Engagement

Thousands of residents participated in an inclusive, year-long process that brought planning to the people. Using innovative tools like the Daily Community Café, pop-up events, workshops, and online surveys, the county met residents where they were — at parks, libraries, festivals, and community centers — to hear their ideas for the future. More than 3,000 participants helped shape the plan. Feedback on housing, mobility, and quality of life directly informed the plan's goals, maps, and small area strategies, ensuring Gwinnett's next chapter reflects the voices of its diverse and growing population.

The Daily Community Café transformed planning meetings into social and immersive experiences, welcoming residents to imagine their ideal neighborhoods in a fun, conversational setting. Through a creative "menu":

• Appetizers asked what belongs in their ideal community.
• Entrees explored the places and connections that shape everyday life.
• Desserts invited residents to envision what the heart of their community could become.

This inclusive and imaginative process reminded people that planning is, at its heart, about people and possibility.

Planning Outcomes

The Daily Community Atlas now serves as a living resource — capturing the story of every Daily Community and guiding future investments and partnerships. It helps county departments work together to prioritize improvements where they will have the biggest impact on communities. The plan's vision is already taking shape:

• Six small area plans have been adopted, with additional ones in progress, to help communities envision the Daily Community Framework locally to guide redevelopment.
• A form-based zoning overlay, guided by the county's future development types, is being developed for areas that are supported by infrastructure reinvestment and community-backed mixed-use redevelopment.
• An $18 million Affordable Housing Development Fund has been established to support projects, including land acquisition, new construction, and rehabilitation to address affordable housing needs.

New long-range planning staff and a dedicated Infrastructure Planning Division have strengthened the county's capacity to plan for the future.

By linking vision with action, the plan provides a shared foundation for progress — bringing clarity to decisions, confidence to partners, and inspiration to the community.

Jury said: "This was an exceptional, comprehensive plan with well-prepared support materials, and the 'Daily Community Cafe' was a particularly innovative way to engage residents."

Top image: Photo courtesy of the Gwinnett County 2045 Unified Plan team.