---
kind: "section"
citation: "40 U.S.C. § 8303"
title: "40"
title_heading: "Public Buildings, Property, and Works"
number: "8303"
heading: "Declaration of policy of coordinated development and management"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/40/8303"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Public Buildings and Works"
  - "Part D — Public Buildings, Grounds, and Parks in the District of Columbia"
  - "Chapter 83 — Washington Metropolitan Region Development"
---

# §8303. Declaration of policy of coordinated development and management


The policy to be followed for the attainment of the objective established by [section 8302 of this title](/usc/40/8302.md), and for the more effective exercise by Congress, the executive branch of the [Federal Government](/usc/40/3701.md?p=a), the Mayor of the District of Columbia, and all other officers, agencies, and instrumentalities of the District of Columbia of their respective functions, powers, and duties in respect of the Washington metropolitan [region](/usc/40/15101.md?p=6), shall be that the functions, powers, and duties shall be exercised and carried out in a manner that (with proper recognition of the sovereignty of Maryland and Virginia in respect of those areas of the Washington metropolitan [region](/usc/40/15101.md?p=6) that are located within their respective jurisdictions) will best facilitate the attainment of the coordinated development of the areas of the Washington metropolitan area and the coordinated management of their public affairs so as to contribute effectively to the solution of the community development problems of the Washington metropolitan [region](/usc/40/15101.md?p=6) on a unified metropolitan basis.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 107–217, Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1210.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 8303 | 40:132. | Pub. L. 86–527, § 3, June 27, 1960, 74 Stat. 223. |

The words “The Congress further declares that” are omitted as obsolete. The word “Mayor” is substituted for “Board of Commissioners” [subsequently changed to “Commissioner” because of section 401 of Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1967 (eff. Nov. 3, 1967, 81 Stat. 951)] because of section 421 of the District of Columbia Self–Government and Governmental Reorganization Act (Public Law 93–198, 87 Stat. 789.)