> Planning+Development

Planning for a better region

Coordinating planning and investment to support cost-effective growth

The Council provides regional transportation, parks, and water resources planning, assistance to local communities, funds to communities to support development initiatives, and much more. Major responsibilities include:

• Developing policy plans for regional systems — transportation, aviation, parks, and water resources
• Coordinating plans for regional systems with local comprehensive land use plans and offering communities assistance for implementation
• Supporting communities in cleaning up polluted sites for redevelopment, expanding affordable housing, and carrying out their development plans through the Livable Communities program
• Planning and administering funds for the region's nationally-renowned system of regional parks and trails
• Coordinating affordable housing opportunities for low-income individuals and families
• Compiling and analyzing data about the region's demographics, its economy, development trends, and the 2000 Census
• Providing data from a geographic information system (GIS), and providing staff support for MetroGIS, a regional collaborative of local, regional and state governments that promotes sharing of geographic data
• Developing the Council's Regional Development Framework of policies for shaping future growth in the region

See a complete list of Council services and programs.