Comprehensive planning, defined as the work of those who engage in efforts, within a delimited geographic area, to identify and order the physical, social, and economic relationships of that area, is discussed in the four sections of this paper. Section I, Introduction, describes what "planning" and "comprehensive planning" are. In Section II, Why Plan, the following subjects are discussed: A. Proficiency Concepts and the Historic Image of Rural America; B. Interrelated Systems. Section III, A Planning Process, beiefly outlines a planning process, which is made up of purpose, assessment, assumptions, concerns, goals, objectives, action planning, implementation, and evaluation. In the final Section IV, Elements of a Comprehensive Plan, an outline is provided of the elements, i.e., the base map; economic base, population, and land use studies; future land use plan; major street plan; zoning ordinance; parks and recreation; schools; other public facilities and public buildings; utility services and related facilities; housing; and capital improvement programming. (DB)