The 2050 Regional Development Guide will establish the policy and vision for the Twin Cities region over the next 30 years. The guide, which is essentially a comprehensive plan for the region, is based on the 2020 counts from the U.S. Census, local comprehensive plans, and ongoing planning efforts.
In early February 2023, the Metropolitan Council endorsed working drafts of a regional vision and core values for the 2050 Regional Development Guide after several conversations to revise and refine the drafts. Work will continue on these working statements and related goals and the key regional challenges.
Among the key topics and areas of uncertainty: climate, population growth, affordable housing, where people want to live and work, where businesses want to locate, public health, economic growth, public funding (all levels, relevant impacts and availability), and addressing disparities, telework, and related regional economic issues.
This vision and values conversation is the beginning of regional policy development. Your voices matter! Tell us what values inform the Twin Cities region you imagine for future generations.
There are many more conversations to come that will further inform our outcomes for the region over the next 30 years.
Working statement of regional core values
Values are core beliefs or principles that guide the work of the Met Council, our expectations of partnerships, and our policy and program development. The Met Council has identified a set of core values that we believe are most important to the issues and opportunities that face the region, now and into the future.
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 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.
Working regional vision statement
Our vision is what we want to achieve for the region through our policies, practices, programs, and partnerships.
Our region is equitable, inclusive, and welcoming
Our quality of life is high by national standards but not all communities share in this. We envision a future where inequities and injustices have been eliminated and all residents and newcomers feel welcome, included, and empowered.
Our communities are healthy, safe, and vibrant
The wellbeing of our region depends on the strength and inclusiveness of our economy as well as the quality, safety, and reliability of our public infrastructure and services. We envision a future where all our region’s residents can live healthy, productive, and rewarding lives with a sense of security, agency, and wellbeing.
We lead on addressing climate change
Our region leads on the critical issue of climate change. We envision a future where we have eliminated or mitigated greenhouse gas emissions and have adapted to ensure that our communities and systems are resilient.
We protect and restore natural systems.
Our region has world class parks and abundant natural resources. We envision a future where natural systems are increasingly protected, integrated, and restored to ensure a high quality of life for our growing region.