Department of Planning and Permitting

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Department of Planning and Permitting

Ka ʻOihana Hoʻolālā A Me Nā Palapala ʻAe

Primary Urban Center Development Plan

The Primary Urban Center stretches from Kāhala to Pearl City extending along a portion of the southern coastline to the top of the mountain watersheds and is the most populous of the island’s eight planning areas. The Primary Urban Center includes major economic activity hubs, from the lively Downtown and Civic Center, to the island’s primary resort area, Waikīkī. Industrial land and office uses are sufficient to support and expand economic activity, especially near the airport, harbor, and downtown business districts. Increased mixed-uses, co-working environments and flexible spaces are encouraged. It is also home to neighborhoods old and new, reflecting Oahu’s diverse community and rich culture. New developments are encouraged to design for all age groups and users, and a mix of household sizes. The quality and safety of pedestrian and bicycle networks continue to be a primary focus, and mobility choices continue to evolve. The Primary Urban Center has a beautiful natural setting including landmarks such as Diamond Head and Punchbowl, as well as many quality parks, open spaces, and natural areas. The Primary Urban Center Development Plan (2024) was adopted in April 2025 (Ordinance 25-016).  

Vision through 2040 and beyond

  • Support complete neighborhoods, focus on sound infrastructure.
  • Provide high-quality parks and outdoor spaces, create a healthy, age-friendly PUC for kūpuna to keiki.
  • Increase agency coordination, create housing solutions.
  • Expand economic diversity, enhance multi-modal transportation.
  • Create resilience & healthy communities, prepare for sea level rise and climate change. 
  • Supporting resource conservation, sustainability practices, and care for our island heritage.

     

Cover image of the Primary Urban Center Development Plan adopted in 2025

View Plan here

Topical White Papers

Substantial research went into the development of the PUC DP update. Some of the materials developed through the PUC DP planning process include a series of topic specific white papers. Each paper summarizes critical trends, data, and other information relevant to the topic in the Primary Urban Center.

Various white papers for the primary urban center development plan

Each paper summarizes critical trends, data, and other information relevant to the topic in the Primary Urban Center.

Design and Neighborhood Plans in the Primary Urban Center

Public Infrastructure Map (PIM) identifies major public infrastructure projects within each of the development plan areas for the City and County of Honolulu as required under Section 4-8 of the Revised Ordinance of Honolulu (ROH). The PIM symbol shows the general location of a major public infrastructure project in a planning region, and is required prior to the appropriation of funds for land acquisition or construction. For more information, visit the PIM page.  

Special Area Plans give communities the opportunity to define the identity, function, organization, and character of their specific neighborhoods in accordance with the general planning framework provided by their area’s Development Plan or Sustainable Communities Plan. For more information, visit the Special Area Plans page.

Certain areas are designated as special districts for the purpose of restoration, preservation, redevelopment or rejuvenation. Guidelines regarding development protect and/or enhance the physical and visual aspects of an area for the benefit of the community as a whole.

Transit-oriented development (TOD) is a pattern of different uses—housing, jobs, and services—surrounding a transit station that takes advantage of the convenience and affordability of transit. TOD neighborhoods will generally be about a five to 10-minute walk from a transit stop, which is considered to be a comfortable distance for pedestrians. The City’s neighborhood TOD plans recommend more intense uses immediately adjacent to the stations, with progressively lower-density development spreading outward. Visit the TOD website for more information.

An urban design plan is typically required as a condition of a zone change approval for larger areas of land (master planned communities, large scale developments, etc.). The urban design plan provides a basic framework for site planning, land use, circulation and infrastructure. For more information, visit the Urban Design Plans page.

No Urban Design Plans are in the Primary Urban Center.

Board of Water Supply Watershed Management Plan

The Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) is currently developing the Primary Urban Center Watershed Management Plan (PUC WMP), which will be part of the City’s Water Use and Development Plan, as mandated by the State of Hawai’i Water Code and City and County of Honolulu ordinances. The Plan is crucial to manage island’s water resource on the island’s most populated area where planning is required to meet the demands of growing population. 

View the current Primary Urban Center Watershed Management Plan.

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