Join us July 27th–31st for Compass 2046 Planning Week — a full week of meetings and public events throughout Waveland to share your input — click here for more information
Compass 2046

Setting course for
Waveland's future

A community-driven planning effort to shape the future of Waveland, Mississippi through an update of the city's Comprehensive Plan. Your voice matters in charting the course for the next 20 years.

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7,043
Residents
2046
Planning Horizon
138
Years of History
Waveland beach and pier along the Mississippi Gulf Coast
About the Plan

What is Compass 2046?

As a comprehensive plan, Compass 2046 will be a guiding document for use by city leaders, developers, business owners, and citizens to shape decisions about future growth, development, policy, and capital improvements. It will serve as a vision for Waveland, developed by the community, based on shared values and input. Comprehensive plans help cities plan strategically for both short and long-term growth so that decisions are based on sound information, core values, and agreed-upon goals, strategies, and priorities.

Resilience & Recovery

Building on Waveland's legacy of resilience since Hurricane Katrina, planning for a stronger, more prepared community.

Community-Driven

Every resident has a voice. This plan is shaped by the ideas, concerns, and aspirations of Waveland's people.

20-Year Vision

Setting a strategic course through 2046, guiding decisions on land use, housing, infrastructure, and economic growth.

Plan Topics

Comprehensive plan focus areas

The Compass 2046 plan will address these critical topics to guide Waveland's growth and development over the next 20 years.

01

Housing & Neighborhoods

Addressing housing diversity, affordability, and neighborhood character. Exploring strategies for missing middle housing and post-Katrina rebuilding patterns.

02

Land Use & Zoning

Updating the future land use map and zoning framework to support smart growth, mixed-use development, and the Highway 90 corridor vision.

03

Resilience & Hazards

Planning for flood mitigation, storm surge protection, sea level rise adaptation, and strengthening the community's disaster preparedness.

04

Economic Development

Supporting local businesses, tourism, and workforce development. Leveraging assets like the Silver Slipper Casino and proximity to Stennis Space Center.

05

Mobility & Infrastructure

Improving pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, addressing Highway 90 and Highway 603 corridors, and planning for future transportation needs.

06

Parks, Recreation & Culture

Enhancing parks, trails, and recreational facilities. Celebrating Waveland's cultural heritage, from Buccaneer State Park to the Ground Zero Museum.

Community Resilience
Coastal Living
Smart Growth
Housing Diversity
Economic Vitality
Flood Mitigation
Walkable Neighborhoods
Gulf Coast Heritage
Community Resilience
Coastal Living
Smart Growth
Housing Diversity
Economic Vitality
Flood Mitigation
Walkable Neighborhoods
Gulf Coast Heritage
Our Process

How we get there

01

Vision & Foundations

Getting to know Waveland and the people who call it home. We introduce the project, connect with neighbors and local voices, and set the stage for the deeper conversations ahead.

02

Broad Engagement

Extensive outreach, including community workshops, surveys, and stakeholder conversations. Aligning feedback with planning scenarios.

03

Draft & Review

Synthesizing community input, data, and analysis to draft the comprehensive plan. Key checkpoints for review with the advisory committee and public.

04

Plan Adoption

Representing community sentiment to decision-makers throughout the legislative adoption process. Finalizing the plan for official adoption.

What's Next

Upcoming events

Compass 2046 is built on community conversation. Come meet the team, weigh in on the issues that matter to you, and help shape where Waveland heads next.

June 3 Wednesday
5:30 – 7:00 PM Waveland City Hall Open to the Public

Compass 2046 Kick-Off Open House

Please join us on June 3rd, where we will be kicking off the Compass 2046 project with an Open House. We will give a brief 10-minute presentation at 5:30 p.m. and then disperse to a series of stations organized by topics.

Participants will be asked to provide their ideas and opinions on these topics in regards to Waveland's future. Everyone will cycle through the stations and hopefully provide their input on all of the topics.

Come provide your input for Waveland's future!

July 27–31 Mon – Fri
Week-Long Engagement Throughout Waveland Schedule Coming Soon

Compass 2046 Planning Week

Our team will be in Waveland the entire week, conducting a series of meetings and public events in which we will provide you with more opportunities to provide input on this important process. The schedule will be announced soon.

Stay in the Loop

Please keep me informed

Sign up to receive email updates about Planning Week, future open houses, and other ways to weigh in on Waveland's future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions

This page answers general questions about why we plan, the planning process, and how you can participate. Check back as the process unfolds for updates.

What is a comprehensive plan?

A comprehensive plan is a document that provides data, analysis, and a strategic roadmap for a community's future. It includes goals and objectives that are measurable, realistic, and provide residents with tangible results. It should guide everyday decisions about growth, development, infrastructure, and quality of life. Most importantly, it is the people's plan — shaped by community input and adopted by local leaders.

What is the purpose of this plan update?

The primary objective is to engage the public in creating an updated vision for growth, development, and redevelopment in Waveland. The project will include preparation of all technical information needed to support the plan and an evaluation and update of goals, policies, and objectives to fulfill the community's vision. Waveland's last comprehensive plan was adopted in 2009, and much has changed since then.

When was Waveland's comprehensive plan last updated?

Waveland's Comprehensive Plan was last updated in 2009, during the post-Hurricane Katrina recovery period. The city also explored a form-based "SmartCode" framework in 2006 through the Mississippi Renewal Forum to guide rebuilding. This update will build on those foundations while addressing the community's current needs and future aspirations.

Who is working on the plan update?

The City of Waveland and a team of planning consultants led by Orion Planning + Design and local engineering firm, Covington.

How do I make my voice heard?

There are many ways to participate throughout the comprehensive plan update process:

Why does Waveland need a new comprehensive plan?

Waveland has changed significantly since the 2009 plan was adopted. The community has continued to recover and grow since Hurricane Katrina, new development patterns have emerged, and challenges like sea level rise, housing affordability, and economic diversification require fresh strategies. A comprehensive plan update ensures that the city's policies and investments reflect the community's current values and future goals.
Your Voice Matters

Help shape the future of Waveland.

Whether you've lived here for generations or just moved to the Gulf Coast, your perspective is essential to building a comprehensive plan that truly represents our community.

See Upcoming Events Get Involved
Connect With Us

We want to hear from you

Tell us your ideas and visions for the future of Waveland, feedback about the process, or any other perspectives you may have related to the comprehensive plan update project.

Write Us a Message

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