The plan addresses issues including projected housing and job growth, parking management, water quality and the regional road system. The urban growth boundary separates urban and urbanize land from rural land. State law requires that a 20-year supply of urbanizable land be included inside its borders at all times. Urban reserves are lands outside the present UGB which are designated for future urban development. Using urban reserves, the region can set aside the best areas for future jobs, housing, open spaces and services.
Rural reserves are a combination of public and private lands designated never to be urbanized.
Low-density zoning protects rural reserves from development. The lands are used primarily for farms and forests. Metro is assisting communities to reinvigorate or create main streets as part of the Region 2040 Growth Concept.