Metro's Research Center provides state-of-the-art mapping, spatial analysis, regional economic analysis and demographic forecasting for Metro, its regional partners, businesses and the public.
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Resources for government partners
Find model ordinances, examples, diagrams, books and reports to help local agencies achieve their goals and comply with regional requirements.
Topics
Committees, partners and public participation
Metro is a regional roundtable where leaders, experts and the people of the region come together to shape our future. Find out about Metro's advisory committees, government partners and public involvement opportunities.
Metro advisory committees
Committees made up of everyone from mayors to neighbors and business owners to bike advocates advise the Metro Council, Auditor and staff. Connect to committee members, attend a meeting or find agendas and meeting notes.
Regional Directory
Download and search the Regional Directory which lists contact information for Metro and the 25 cities and three counties in the region.
Urban development: New area planning
When new land is brought into the urban growth boundary, Metro collaborates with local cities and counties to plan how the new communities will be developed and served by roads, schools and other urban services.
Urban revitalization: Centers and corridors
Cities and developers around the country are realizing the long-term benefits of mixed-use neighborhoods that combine housing, employment, retail, cultural and recreational activities in a walkable environment that is well-served by transit.
Urban Growth Management Functional Plan
The functional plan provides tools that help meet goals in the 2040 Growth Concept, Metro's long-range growth management plan.
Housing Choice Task Force
Learn about strategies for reducing the cost of housing, presented to the Metro Council in 2006 by the Housing Choice Task Force.
Tools for designing streets
Discover practical information for designing safe and healthy streets with these three handbooks published by Metro.
Transportation system management and operations
Transportation system management and operations strategies provide money saving multimodal solutions that relieve congestion, optimize infrastructure investments, promote travel options, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Community Investment Toolkit
The Community Investment Toolkit provides information to local governments, nonprofit organizations, developers and community leaders about best practices for creating and enhancing vibrant urban communities.
Investing in transportation projects
Metro selects projects to receive some of the federal transportation funds spent in the Portland metropolitan region and administers federal funds to ensure consistency with federal laws and the Regional Transportation Plan.
Regional trails and greenways system
Find out about the ambitious effort to establish a network of regional trails and greenways that connect the cities, centers, parks, natural areas and neighborhoods of the region.
The Intertwine
The Metro Council is teaming up with governments, businesses, nonprofits and other nature lovers to create the world’s best network of parks, trails and natural areas.
Guidelines for environmentally friendly trails
Metro's Green Trails handbook offers guidelines for planning, designing, constructing and maintaining trails so that impacts on natural resources are avoided or minimized.
Habitat protection model ordinance
Metro has drafted a model ordinance to help cities and counties comply with habitat protection requirements. Conceptual diagrams illustrate how habitat conservation areas would be affected by the model ordinance.
Protecting natural areas and improving parks in your community
Dozens of projects that improve water quality, protect wildlife habitat and provide people with access to nature have been completed using funds from Metro's voter approved bond measure.
Acquiring natural areas
Find out more about the 27 target areas where Metro is acquiring natural areas and trails to safeguard water quality, protect fish and wildlife habitat, and ensure access to nature for future generations.
Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants
Metro is seeking applications for projects that re-green and re-nature neighborhoods.
Solid waste and recycling system overview
Metro is responsible for planning and managing the recycling and disposal of solid waste generated in the region.
Data and reports
Looking for data, reports or forecasts on land, population and employment? Metro compiles and maintains a wealth of information about the economy and demographics of the region.
Maps
Find pre-printed maps of the area’s zoning, parks, flood levels, watersheds, undeveloped land and more. Check out the ever-popular Bike There! map.
RLIS Lite, Geographic Information System data on DVD
A subscription DVD that includes more than 100 map layers of the Portland region, including tax lots and county assessor records, zoning and physical features.
Annexation and boundary change information
Metro provides boundary change filing and mapping services for the region’s cities and special districts; including fire, water, and park districts. Metro handles the statutorily required distribution of the final action packet on each boundary change.
Natural hazards program
Find maps of earthquake, flood or landslide hazards in the Portland metropolitan area.
Metro construction excise tax
Learn about Metro's construction excise tax on construction permits to fund land use planning throughout the region.