Plan Foundations Overview

Every successful plan starts with a solid foundation.

That’s why we built the Imagine 2050 regional development guide strategically. We studied where we are today, and what changes we expect for tomorrow. Then, based on this information, we set the values, visions, and goals to help guide us in defining what the future of the region could look like over the next 30 years. The regional development guide is the plan we’ll use to get there.

The values, vision, and goals help shape the five policy plans comprising the regional development guide. Each chapter – including land use, housing, parks, water, and transportation – digs deeper into specific objectives, investments, and actions to implement important policies and deliverables.

Read the Policy Plans

Long-range planning begins here

Coordinated, comprehensive planning rooted in defining who we are, and what we hope achieve.

Read the Regional Vision, Values, and Goals chapter

This chapter covers the existing conditions and emerging changes that inform our regional vision, values, and goals.

Read the Land Use chapter

The heart of everything we do, land use policy is foundational to life and natural systems. This chapter lays the groundwork for managing regional growth and development, including during the local comprehensive planning process.

View local forecasts

When, where, and how much population, household, and job growth the seven-county region and local jurisdictions can expect over a 30-year horizon.

Together, the Regional Vision, Values, and Goals chapter, the Land Use Plan chapter, and the local forecasts provide the long-range policy foundation for the following policy and system plans:

housing
regional parks and trails
water
transportation

building blocks of a plan

Each policy or system plan chapter (land use, housing, parks, water, and transportation) includes objectives, policies, and actions that support the regional goals, which are designed to advance a shared regional vision.

Image shows Regional Vision leading to Regional Goals leading to Policy and System Plans, which have Plan-level objectives, policies, and actions. All of these elements are grounded by the Regional values.

Definition of terms

Objectives articulate the achievable results that advance each regional goal.
Regional policies are the statements of intent and approach to regional issues or topics, independently and with partners.
Policies are implemented through specific actions by the Council and partners.
Actions are the specific activities to implement policies and achieve the goals and objectives.

Cross-cutting regional vision, values, and goals

Our vision for the region

Grounded in the regional values and goals below, the Met Council has endorsed this vision for the region in the regional development guide, Imagine 2050. In other words, this is the future we imagine for the region, and this is the future our coordinated, comprehensive planning endeavors to create.

“A prosperous, equitable, and resilient region with abundant opportunities for all to live, work, play, and thrive."

Regional Goals

The Met Council has endorsed these goals for our region to achieve through our policies, practices, programs, and partnerships. Click on a goal to read more.

Equitable and inclusive region

Our region is equitable and inclusive. Racial inequities and injustices experienced by historically marginalized communities have been eliminated; and all people feel welcome, included, and empowered.

Healthy and safe communities

Our communities are healthy and safe. All our region’s residents live healthy and rewarding lives with a sense of dignity and wellbeing.

Dynamic and resilient region

Our region is dynamic and resilient Our region meets the opportunities and challenges faced by our communities and economy including issues of choice, access, and affordability.

Lead on climate

We lead on addressing climate change We have mitigated greenhouse gas emissions and have adapted to ensure our communities and systems are resilient to climate impacts.

Natural systems

We protect and restore natural systems We protect, integrate, and restore natural systems to protect habitat and ensure a high quality of life for the people of our region.

Our regional core values

Our values are the core beliefs or principles that guide our work, our partnerships, and our policy and program development. The Met Council has identified a set of core values that we believe are most important for identifying challenges, realizing opportunities, and imagining a better future for our region.

Equity

We value the people and communities of our region. Our region is economically and culturally vibrant. We also recognize, however, the harm and disparities that injustices, including racism, have created.

We are dedicated to creating systems, policies, and programs that repair and heal past harm, foster an equitable future, and eliminate disparities. Communities that have been marginalized in the past will be at the center of this work in leadership roles.

Leadership

We value those in our region who inspire and motivate others for positive change. Our region is known for its civic engagement. We need broad and inclusive leadership to help confront the significant challenges we face around equity, climate change, safety, and other pressing issues.

To maximize the potential of our region and its communities, we turn to leadership that is diverse, collaborative, culturally competent, and innovative. We encourage this kind of leadership across all sectors including business, government, non-profit, and education.

Accountability

We value being effective in our work and achieving measurable outcomes. Our region is known for its research, initiatives, and collaborations. We must be open to criticism and clearly understand when we are not achieving results or have harmed communities.

We recognize that we can maximize our effectiveness by being in partnership with others. We will also be transparent and flexible so that we can change course when needed.

Stewardship

We value our region’s resources. Our resources include our natural, economic, and financial resources as well as our infrastructure. We recognize that these resources may be vulnerable over time to changing conditions, including from climate change.

We must design our systems and allocate our resources in ways that can be sustained over time and support the needs of future generations.