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Map of Bluff, Utah

Connection, Identity, Resilience: A Regional Framework for Southern San Juan County, Utah

Project Lead: Jake Powell

Fast Facts


  • Year: 2020
  • Client: Bluff City
  • Outcomes: 141 Page Regional Framework Report
  • Status: Complete
  • Project Size: 600 acres
  • Project Scale: Regional
  • Impacts: The regional framework document provided important contextual insights for the community of Bluff. The document is currently being used by the Bluff City planning commission as an appendix reference for their general plan documents.

Project Summary 

Students in the Spring 2019 Regional Analysis and Planning course were invited to provide a regional context for the newly created city of Bluff, Utah. Students teamed up with LAEP Extension to work with the communities through workshops, site visits, and community presentations.

Project Description

The newly organized, historic community of Bluff has both a rich history and an exciting future. Reconciling both of these requires an understanding of the regional forces exerting influence on this new community. This studio, LAEP Extension, and community stakeholders worked together to explore and record these forces to guide the future visioning and planning efforts of the area. The efforts highlighted the potential of Bluff to rapidly progress to a gateway community and the potential for this rapid shift to erode the authenticity and community fabric that make the community unique. The report highlights the challenges of isolation and the socio-cultural dynamics that will be critical to address in future planning interventions.