Region Forward is based on goals shared by officials and residents across the National Capital Region. They map out where we want to go as a region and encourage leaders to think regionally when acting locally. The goal categories include Land Use, Transportation, Environmental, Climate and Energy, Economic, Housing, Health and Human Services, Education, and Public Safety.
In addition to the goals, Region Forward offers targets and indicators to measure our progress in creating a more accessible, sustainable, prosperous, and livable future. In most cases the targets are specific short-term and long-term milestones for the region. They will be used by COG to evaluate the region as a whole, rather than individual jurisdictions. By measuring things like regional green space, affordable housing units, and graduation rates, the targets and indicators will help show us if the region is heading in the right direction.
Learn more about the targets in Accessibility, Sustainability, Prosperity, Livability
For Region Forward to succeed, area governments must be committed to this new approach. The Greater Washington 2050 Compact asks them to pledge to use their best efforts to advance the goals in Region Forward. While voluntary, the Compact is an important step toward greater regional collaboration. COG is also seeking support of Region Forward from businesses, civic groups, and individuals.
Region Forward was approved by the COG Board of Directors in January 2010 and it is already having an impact on decision-making in the National Capital Region. The region’s Transportation Planning Board voted to use Region Forward when considering future projects for inclusion in its long-range planning. And Region Forward is guiding COG and local governments as they pursue federal funding for regional planning and implementation efforts to build sustainable communities. In the coming years, COG will update the regional activity centers map, create a baseline analysis for future progress reports, conduct public surveys and develop strategies to move the region closer to achieving its vision.