The Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commission, a 50-year old joint City/County planning Board, is charged with developing and maintaining the Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan designates areas that are environmentally sensitive as Development Sensitive (such as floodplains, steep slopes, erodible soils) and specifies provisions under which development may occur. Usually these entail low-intensity/density zoning, use of the Planned Unit Development (PUD), and compatibility with existing development. The Planning Commission also has been the lead agency in many planning efforts, including a recently completed Infill Development Study, and other similar projects.

These and other infill developments are examples of more efficient growth. The City has frequently been a partner in such projects by providing the capital infrastructure and enhancements necessary for their success. The City has also been an active participant in such other growth opportunities as Tax Increment Financing districts and Tax Incentive Districts, which have been popular particularly in the downtown or core areas.

Beginning in 2008, the City of Tulsa will embark upon the first major update to its Comprehensive Plan in three decades. The plan will re-examine traditional development patterns, transit and transportation impacts on land use and economic development, and establish growth targets for infill development.