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Regional planning and policy

Planning and conservation  ›  Regional planning and policy

The region's land use and transportation policies protect farms and forests while revitalizing downtowns and main streets. Learn about the vision guiding policy decisions and development to make a great place for current and future generations.

The quality of life we enjoy here is the result of conscious decisions and hard choices made by citizen leaders, business owners and elected officials. In recent decades, the people of this region have joined together to protect farms and forests, preserve the character of single-family neighborhoods, revitalize commercial districts, invest in transportation options and safeguard clean air, clean water and healthy ecosystems.

The region is growing faster than anyone expected when the region's long-range plan was first developed. This rapid growth brings jobs and opportunity, but it also creates new challenges. As our population continues to grow, the Metro Council is committed to continue this important work, bringing people together to protect the things we love about this place and charting a wise course for the future.

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Regional values

Whether your roots are generations deep or newly planted, you are part of a community that treasures the nature around us, the neighborhoods and businesses that sustain us and our shared commitment to preserving our quality of life.More

Regional vision: The 2040 growth concept

This region is admired across the nation for its innovative approach to planning for the future. Our enviable quality of life can be attributed in no small measure to our stubborn belief in the importance of thinking ahead.More

Community Investment Strategy

Review recommendations aimed at creating livable communities, promoting economic development and good jobs, and protecting natural areas.More

Urban growth boundary

Metro manages the urban growth boundary for the Portland metropolitan area. Learn about this important land use planning tool for protecting rural lands and preventing sprawl.More

Urban and rural reserves

Read about the unique collaborative process the region used to choose the best places for future growth, identifying lands that won't be urbanized for the next 50 years as well as areas best suited to accommodate future urban development.More

Regional Transportation Plan

Learn about the Regional Transportation Plan, the Portland metropolitan area's blueprint for a multi-modal transportation system.More

Addressing climate change through great communities

Even though our region is a national leader in arresting the rise of greenhouse gas emissions, current efforts fall short of what is needed to meet state targets. Find out how Metro is working to address climate change while creating great communities.More

Nature in Neighborhoods

Nature in Neighborhoods is a broad based regional initiative to restore and protect the region’s natural assets.More

Unified planning work program

Working together as one region has helped communities across the Portland area make the most of scarce resources. Each year, Metro and regional partners create a list of the regionally significant transportation planning activities that could lead to future investments in the area's roads, trails and public transit service. That list is called the Unified Planning Work Program. Download

Related materials

• Unified Planning Work Program, FY 2012-13 2.9M Adobe Acrobat PDF | Published May 15, 2012