D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10-A, § 710
710.1 The District’s institutional anchors—including colleges, universities, and hospitals—make a significant contribution to the local economy. As of 2017, colleges, universities, and professional schools accounted for 52,900 jobs in the District, representing nearly five percent of total employment. Of the District’s top 20 private organizations with the most employees, universities comprise a quarter of the largest employers, including the two largest employers, Georgetown University and George Washington University, according to DOES reports. DOES indicates this sector is likely to gain about 3,103 jobs between 2016 and 2026.
710.2 Several of the District’s universities also have affiliated teaching hospitals. These include Washington Hospital Center (a private teaching hospital affiliated with several DC universities), Georgetown University Hospital/Medstar Health, Howard University Hospital, and the George Washington University Hospital. These four institutions are the third, seventh, 13th, and 14th largest private employers in the District. Hospitals accounted for approximately 28,400 jobs in 2017, representing five percent of private-sector employment.
710.3 In addition, the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), including its community college, is the District’s public university, serving residents affordably through multiple points of entry, including workforce training; professional certifications; associate degrees; and bachelor, graduate, and law degrees.
Support growth in the higher education and health care sectors. Recognize the potential of these institutions to provide employment and income opportunities for District residents, and to enhance the District’s array of cultural amenities and health care options.
See also the Educational Facilities Element for additional policies related to colleges and universities.
Promote the development of local businesses and enterprises that rely on the concentration of universities and health care institutions in the District, including both firms that provide supplies to these industries and firms that benefit from their knowledge and research capacity.
Encourage continued linkages between the higher education and health care industries through incubator facilities co-located with medical schools, teaching hospitals, and medical research centers to generate new spin-off businesses from
these institutions.
Support UDC in its role as the District’s public institution of higher learning. Recognize that the community college and university expand employment and income opportunities for District residents. In addition, elevate the university as an important resource for building a workforce for growth industries that require highly trained employees.
Enhance partnerships with anchor institutions, such as universities, hospitals, and other institutions, to generate business and employment growth in the research and development sectors, and to continue technology transfer programs for District businesses and entrepreneurs.
See also the portions of this element on Supporting Innovation in the Economy and Increasing Access to Employment for additional policies and actions relating to higher education. Also see the Educational Facilities Element for information on higher education facilities.
Encourage District-based institutions, such as hospitals and universities, to establish or expand business incubators and accelerators that enable students and employees to develop and commercialize insights gained through the pursuit of an institution’s mission. Leading examples include the MedStar Institute for Innovation and the Sheik Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation at Children’s National Hospital.
SOURCE: District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; 31 DCR 1049 (March 9, 1984)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Element Amendment Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-187; 32 DCR 873 (February 15, 1985)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-129; 37 DCR 55 (January 5, 1990)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989 NCPC-Recommended Amendments, and Closing of Public Alleys in Square 669, S.O. 88-452, Act of 1990, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-132; 37 DCR 2213 (April 6, 1990)); as amended by District Government Land Use Temporary Amendment Act of 1994, effective October 1, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-190; 41 DCR 5360 (August 12, 1994)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1994, effective October 6, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-193; 41 DCR 5536 (August 19, 1994)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-235; 42 DCR 30 (January 6, 1995)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1996 effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-110; 43 DCR 530 (February 9, 1996)); as amended by Second Technical Amendments Act of 1996 effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-255; 44 DCR 1271 (March 7, 1997)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 27, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-275; 46 DCR 1441 (February 19, 1999)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1999, effective April 12, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-91; 47 DCR 520 (January 28, 2000)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300; 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 2008, effective March 25, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-353; 56 DCR 1117 (February 6, 2009)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361; 58
DCR 908 (February 4, 2011); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)).