Land use and development | Metro As the region grows and changes, Metro works with local partners to ensure that every community has affordable and convenient places to live, reliable transportation options, thriving businesses and access to the natural beauty that makes this region special. When guiding how communities grow, Metro prioritizes: Ensuring people can live close to work, shopping and nature. Supporting housing, businesses and transportation options where there are existing streets and pipes – which saves public money and reduces the environmental impacts of development. Investing in areas already served by transit so people live near convenient transportation options to jobs, schools, gathering spaces, shopping and services. Preserving farms, forests and natural areas, and protecting clean air, water and the climate. Cultivating healthy local economies across the region – from small neighborhoods to large business hubs. A range of plans and strategies guide how and where the region grows. The 2040 Growth Concept The 2040 Growth Concept is a 50-year blueprint to guide how the region grows. This high-level plan prioritizes development that fosters healthy local economies and supports affordable communities connected by safe and reliable transportation options. 2040 growth concept The urban growth boundary Metro manages the region’s urban growth boundary, which helps promote the efficient use of land and protects farms and forests. Urban growth boundary Urban and rural reserves In the greater Portland region, urban and rural reserves, along with the urban growth boundary, determine where development can happen. Urban and rural reserves Focused investments Transit-Oriented Development Metro’s Transit-Oriented Development program invests in housing and retail development along the region's transit network. These investments help ensure these areas remain affordable and thriving, helping more people live, work and shop in neighborhoods served by transit. Transit-Oriented Development program Community investment programs Metro works with community and government partners to invest in and grow areas in ways that prepare for growth across the Portland region, while also focusing on livability and connection. Community investments Land use maps Maps Urban Growth Boundary map Find maps related to Metro's urban growth boundary, a regional boundary that protects farms and forests and helps ensure the efficient use of land. Maps Urban and rural reserves map This map shows the region’s urban and rural reserves – lands outside the urban growth boundary reserved for future development or protected from urbanization. Maps 2040 Growth Concept map The Metro 2040 Growth Concept map defines the regional growth and development for the region. Subscribe to land use and transportation updates