Imagine 2050 Outcomes Measurement Program

Metropolitan Council's current regional development guide—Imagine 2050—advances a shared regional vision through five regional goals and related commitments and the objectives, policies, and actions of each policy area (land use, housing, parks, water, and transportation). Whether the Twin Cities region is moving closer to that shared regional vision is the subject of the Imagine 2050 Outcomes Measurement Program. 

Informed by best practices and inspired by innovative approaches to measurable results, this program aims to: 

• Demonstrate Met Council's core value of Accountability 
• Strategically align planning- and policy-focused research and information assets
• Create a repository of insights and trends to spark regional dialogues about progress 

The Imagine 2050 Outcomes Measurement Program and its proposed measures are currently under development; a draft amendment to establish the program will be released on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. More information about the amendment, public comment period and hearing will be available by the end of September 2025.
 

A measurement structure for systems 

The outcomes measurement program defines three types of measures: 

1. Regional indicators describe high-level trends about the Twin Cities metro or region, often providing context on whether—and to what extent—our region’s trends are similar to those in other places. These measures reflect the impacts of intersecting “macro” systems and require collective and sustained action to counter or advance.
2. Regional measures acknowledge that the regional values, visions, and goals described in Imagine 2050 cannot be achieved alone. Through primary data collection and partnership, these measures capture efforts among our partners, such as local governments and parks implementing agencies. 
3. Met Council measures highlight how our own grant and investment programs, services and operations, engagement practices, convening and coordinating of partners—among other actions— advance the regional goals and policy direction established in Imagine 2050. Incorporating Met Council measures in this program can demonstrate how the Met Council leads by example.

Proposed measures for 2050 Policy Outcomes 

Each policy area has developed proposed measures that are currently under staff review and discussion with Met Council members. The visualization below reflects proposed measures as of Monday, September 15, 2025 in the area of land use, housing, and parks and trails. Proposed measures related to water and transportation will be added by Wednesday, October 1.