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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
<br />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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