Some of MORPC's Regional Collaboration Initiatives

State of the Region

The 2011 State of the Region Report was released on April 21, 2011 at the Annual State of the Region Luncheon. The report and its accompanying web pages include metrics that identify potential issues in the Central Ohio region and recognize our successes. These metrics, which focus on the areas of People, Place, and Prosperity, will be periodically updated throughout the year.

Click here to go to the State of the Region

View the 10-minute video on “Rethinking Streets for Successful Communities.” This video features commentary from leaders in their fields, including: Terry Foegler of OSU, Jack Lucks of Continental Real Estate, Yaromir Steiner of Steiner + Associates, Ken Danter of The Danter Company, Keith Myers of MSI Design, and Carol Coletta of Coletta & Associates (formerly CEOs for Cities). This video helps explain why we need to rethink the way our streets are designed and used, keeping in mind that the type of redevelopment depends on the context and land use of the area. We want our communities in Central Ohio to continue to be successful, and implementing Complete Streets elements can play a key role in that.

Transforming Central Ohio into a Lifelong Community

We welcomed 2011 with the realization that the first wave of Baby Boomers is turning 65 years old this year. In fact, each day 7,000 Baby Boomers will turn 65 years old. This is having dramatic effects on our communities, transportation choices, and our businesses. As a result new trends are emerging that  require us to rethink how we are plan our communities right now and into the future.

In 20 years, a half million central Ohioans will be 65 years old or older. Our communities do not yet reflect the new realities: because we live to be much older than ever before, so many more ages and stages of life share the same resources.

Our region needs to  create “multiuse neighborhoods”. According to the Urban Land Institute, multiuse neighborhoods  provide residents of different ages and income levels with easy access to shops, recreation, places of worship and daily services.

With more of central Ohio’s population growing older, MORPC is broadening its transportation planning to prepare for more people who will not be able to get around by driving alone. Creating more Complete Streets in our communities provides roadways that are designed to safely and comfortably accommodate all users, including, but not limited to motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, transit and school bus riders, delivery and service personnel, freight haulers, and emergency responders. "All users" includes people of all ages and abilities.

Interested in learning more about MORPC’s Lifelong Community efforts? Contact Kerstin Carr at kcarr@morpc.org or Laura Koprowski at lkoprowski@morpc.org.

Learn about Lifelong Community efforts underway in other parts of the country:

Age-Friendly NYC http://www.nyam.org/agefriendlynyc/

Lifelong Communities – Atlanta Regional Commission http://www.atlantaregional.com/aging-resources/lifelong-communities-llc

Lifelong Communities Initiative Kansas http://www.agingkansas.org/SeniorSupport/LifeLong/lifelongcommunity.htm

DataPort: Maps & Data

The MORPC DataPort is a one-stop shop for accessing regional information developed by MORPC about planning, demographics, land use, economic development, transportation, maps, contact lists, and GIS data in Central Ohio. The MORPC DataPort is also a portal to other federal, state, and locally developed information sets that may be more appropriate for your data or research needs.

Click here to open the MORPC DataPort