Happy Cities developed a master plan to guide equitable, healthy, resilient growth for the next 25 years in Charleston, Las Vegas.

A conceptual render of a street in Charleston with mid-rise buildings, single family homes, and cyclist paths. — Conceptual rendering of gentle density in the Charleston neighbourhood of Las Vegas, Nevada. (Happy Cities)

The Las Vegas 2050 Master Plan was adopted by City Council in 2021 to guide the development of an equitable, resilient, healthy, livable and innovative city for residents and visitors alike. The plan identifies 16 plan areas of the city, each with different development priorities and opportunities.

Happy Cities worked with the City of Las Vegas to develop the Charleston Area Plan, a large area home to 75,000 residents just west of Downtown. The purpose of the plan is to build on and implement the Las Vegas 2050 vision, while creating a plan that is specific to the needs of the local community. Las Vegas officially adopted the Charleston Area Plan in November 2025.

Download the Charleston 2050 plan

Versión en español

“[The Charleston plan] is the future of Las Vegas [....] My job is to shepard in Las Vegas to the next generation.””

— Councilman Brian Knudsen

The Charleston area

Charleston is located just west of downtown Las Vegas, bounded by two major highways and including several transit corridors. The area spans over 5,100 acres and is home to several diverse neighbourhoods and demographics.

The Charleston area plan to will guide City priorities and investments for:

Housing and development
Parks and open space
Amenities, such as playgrounds or recreation centers
Transit, sidewalks and bike lanes
Jobs and education facilities

The plan is informed by a combination of background research, GIS analysis, collaboration with City staff, and deep engagement with the community.

Conceptual rendering of a redevelopment area along a major corridor.

Conceptual rendering of a park with shade, new trees, pathways, seating, and interactive features.

Conceptual rendering of safe paths for walking, rolling, and biking.

Conceptual rendering of gentle density within local neighborhoods.

Cross-section showing conceptual guidelines for redesigning Charleston’s corridors to transform them into vibrant and accessible streets for all transportation modes.

Road design concept for major intersection, accommodating cars, cyclists, and pedestrians.

Community engagement

Happy Cities conducted three rounds of community engagement to inform the development of the Charleston Area Plan. Engagement activities included both in-person and online opportunities to participate, including surveys, focus group sessions, and community pop-up events across the Charleston area.