moving forward      Campaign for sensible growth 
  This guidebook showcases best development practices throughout the Chicago region to highlight achievements in the built environment as well as offer ideas to those involved in  planning, development and local government. Lessons can be learned from these projects, through  the decisions made during their planning, financing and public approval process.   

Listed on the facing page are resources to help you follow up on these ideas, both people who can answer questions about the projects they have been involved in, and publications that provide more information on the ideas explored in this guidebook.   

The Metropolitan Planning Council is working with a number of other organizations - from business to government to non-profit civic organizations - to lead a "Campaign for Sensible Growth." The goals of the campaign are to:   

 1. Promote strong economic growth of the region.   
 2. Encourage new development, redevelopment and investment that revitalizes existing communities while strategically preserving open space.   
 3. Adopt and apply incentive-based strategies that attract development to areas already served by roads, sewers, water and transit.   

As part of the campaign, municipalities (with other local governments or citizen groups) can apply for technical assistance for innovative projects which may include comprehensive plan updates, transit oriented development assistance, or zoning changes. For more information, contact the Campaign for Sensible Growth at the Metropolitan Planning Council at 312.922.5616 or visit our website at www.metroplanning.org.   

As shown in this guidebook, there are many examples of well designed and wisely planned projects throughout the Chicago region. These development projects, which successfully balance community and environmental needs, are models for how sensible growth strategies can be applied in today's real estate development environment.  

Through the Campaign for Sensible Growth and other projects, the Metropolitan Planning Council is also working to change the "rules of the game" that set the stage for development decisions. This work includes striving to reduce the reliance on the local property tax to fund schools, promoting redevelopment of our region's core, and strengthening the region's existing transportation network.   

Strong, sustainable and sensible growth requires both private and public leaders to work toward meeting the challenges of today, while protecting the assets of our region for the future.