The Committee of 100 advocates responsible planning and land use in Washington, D.C. Our work is guided by the values inherited from the L’Enfant Plan and McMillan Commission, which give Washington its historic distinction and natural beauty, while responding to the special challenges of 21st century development. We pursue these goals through public education, research and civic action, and we celebrate the city’s unique role as both the home of the District’s citizens and the capital of our nation.
Testimony
The Committee of 100 provides expert testimony to councils, boards, committees and agencies concerned with preservation and development in the DC region. Representing extensive accumulated experience and careful deliberation, the Committee’s positions have an important influence on local land use decisionmaking.
Much of the Committee’s testimony, letters, endorsements and articles from the past several years can be found on the individual issue pages.
Education
The Committee of 100 regularly reviews the work and proposals of public agencies in the DC area. The Committee takes on review and advisory roles for a number of projects and functions, such as advising on changes and corrections to the DC Zoning Code. In addition, the Committee holds periodically scheduled lectures and tours in order to better understand current issues and situations in DC’s planning and development arena.
Civic Action
The Committee of 100 serves local communities, nonprofit groups and other organizations in DC by offering pro bono consultation on historic preservation, land planning and architectural design issues. Recent work with communities includes technical advice on historic property designation, assisting the formation of citizens’ groups, and support of citizens’ groups and initiatives through awards, recognition and public testimony.
Information about the Committee’s accomplished record of past campaigns throughout the 20th century can be found on the history page.
Research
The Committee of 100 was formed to sustain and to safeguard the fundamental values derived from the tradition of the L’Enfant Plan and the McMillan Commission. The work of the Committee is therefore founded on a deep and wide-ranging understanding of the historical actions and trends that have shaped our region. Many of the Committee’s members engage in historical research about the DC region, in forums both formal and colloquial.