Region Forward ©
In 2008, the COG Board of Directors formed the Greater Washington 2050 Coalition to create a comprehensive vision for the National Capital Region. They invited elected officials, business and civic leaders to guide the initiative to make sure the effort would be inclusive. Rather than launch a new visioning process that could take several years, the 2050 Coalition’s challenge was to tie together earlier work in a comprehensive way and set the stage for swift action.
The Region Forward report details the 2050 Coalition’s work and sets forth regional goals, a compact agreement, and targets and indicators to measure success toward the goals. It encourages area jurisdictions, businesses, civic groups and individuals to pledge to work together to meet the Greater Washington 2050 Goals. To show you how the goals and targets are connected, they are presented in categories—Accessibility, Sustainability, Prosperity, and Livability—that explain how this new, comprehensive vision will shape and benefit the region.
Priorities for a Growing Region
The Greater Washington 2050 Coalition launched a regional survey to identify priorities, attitudes and core values of residents in our region. The survey was conducted during February and March of 2009. Findings from the comprehensive survey were presented at a press conference on May 1st. The survey results show support for addressing priorities regionally and view transportation, education, and the economy as the most important long-term issues facing the region.
BIG Moves: Report of the Scenarios Workshop
In November 2008, the Greater Washington 2050 Coalition and regional leaders participated in a full-day scenario thinking workshop to brainstorm how our region could respond to global and national trends that would likely influence our region’s future.
The purpose of the scenario workshop was to examine long-term risks and opportunities in the metropolitan region and encourage bold and creative thinking. The process revealed common growth and development strategies for our region to consider when planning for any future. These strategies are Greater Washington’s Big Moves.
Ten Big Moves for the Region
1. Pursue Transit-Oriented Development
2. Leverage Emerging Sustainable Technologies
3. Emphasize Green Economic Development
4. Develop Greater Washington as a Knowledge Hub
5. Strengthen Regionalism
6. Use Financial Innovations
7. Ensure Availability of Moderate & Low-Cost Housing
8. Focus on Quality of Life
9. Improve Public Education
10. Promote Health