As the oldest city in Riverside County, the City of Riverside has a rich, proud history. This community of 250,000 residents was founded as a citrus growing center in the late 1800s, and the City today displays the architecture of Riverside's early period and the styles of the 20th century through present times. Riverside has experienced constant, steady growth since its founding and has always sought to balance business growth with the explosive demand for housing. As the City entered the first decade of the 21st century, the decision was made to comprehensively address growth and community character through the City's key land use regulatory tools: the General Plan, the zoning ordinance, the subdivision ordinance, and citywide Design Guidelines. The Hogle-Ireland management team, while at their previous firms, leading a team of specialists, was selected to draft a comprehensive vision for the community and prepare all of these documents, as well as a Program EIR. The program involved working with many community groups to affirm direction defined through a visioning process and economic strategy study.

In the Land Use and Urban Design Element, the Plan sets forth policies and design guidelines for each of Riverside's neighborhoods and business districts. The General Plan also includes unquie elements such as Arts and Culture, Education, and Air Quality.