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• Plan for the long-term reliability, resiliency, security and cost-effectiveness of the
<br /> region's water supplies.
<br /> • Incorporate water sustainability considerations in all areas of Council policy and actions,
<br /> including overall development patterns, water management, transportation, housing, and
<br /> regional parks.
<br /> • Identify subregional and local water sustainability solutions that balance regional needs
<br /> and local objectives.
<br /> Regional Growth Forecasts
<br /> The pressures on the region's water resources will increase as our population and economy
<br /> grow. During the last four decades, the region grew by over 975,000 people. Between 2010 and
<br /> 2040 it is projected that the region will grow by over 824,000 residents and 391,400 households.
<br /> 1970 2000 2010 2040 2010-2040
<br /> Projected
<br /> Increase
<br /> Population 1,874,600 2,642,062 2,849,567 3,675,660 824,093
<br /> Households 573,600 1,021,456 1,117,749 1,510,090 391,421
<br /> Jobs 779,000 1,606,263 1,543,872 2,102,090 550,508
<br /> Community Designations
<br /> Thrive forecasts show that, over the next 30 years, growth and redevelopment will occur
<br /> throughout the region, but with variations from area to area. The seven-county region contains a
<br /> wide range of communities, from agricultural townships to densely developed downtown
<br /> neighborhoods. Recognizing that one size does not fit all, the Council uses community
<br /> designations to group communities with similar characteristics in order to implement regional
<br /> policy at the local level through comprehensive plans (See Figure 1). Community designations
<br /> fall within two main categories, the Metropolitan Urban Service Area and the Rural Service
<br /> Area.
<br /> Metropolitan Urban Service Area
<br /> The Metropolitan Urban Service Area constitutes about half of the land in the region, but
<br /> accounts for more than 90% of the region's population. The Council supports the Metropolitan
<br /> Urban Service Area through investments such as regional wastewater services, regional
<br /> highways, transit service, the Regional Parks System, and programs that support
<br /> redevelopment. Some of the region's most popular regional parks are located in the
<br /> Metropolitan Urban Service Area, including Como Regional Park, Zoo and Conservatory;
<br /> Minnehaha Regional Park; and Hyland-Bush-Anderson Lakes Park Reserve. Trails including the
<br /> Bruce Vento and the North Cedar Lake Regional Trail; connect people to regional parks and
<br /> local amenities. The Metropolitan Urban Service Area is divided into five community
<br /> designations:
<br /> • Urban Center
<br /> • Urban
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