B. Future Trends

Future Trends

As the City plans for its future growth over the next 20 years, it is important to consider future trends and issues that will shape the character and needs of the community. Based on current and projected trends, the Comprehensive Plan should plan for:

♦    Aging population and work force, particularly those over 65, as more people live longer1

♦    Ethnic and cultural diversity in the population2

♦    Increased demand for multifamily housing due to increasing costs, aging population and younger generation that wants to live in urban areas3

♦    Changing technology that will affect all aspects of the community4

♦    Climate change impacts likely to result in more use of alternative energy sources and efforts to address greenhouse gases5

♦    Demand for more transportation options to support growth and in recognition of limitations on road capacity and funding6

♦    Maintenance of aging infrastructure

Sources:

1 Reshaping Metropolitan America: Development Trends and Opportunities to 2030, Dr. Arthur Nelson, University of Utah and Census Bureau Projections Release 12/12/2012

2 Urban Land Magazine, Urban Land Institute, 1/15/15 and Office of Financial Management News Release 6/26/2012

3 Urban Land Magazine, Urban Land Institute, 11/3/14 and Roland Berger Strategy Consultants

4 The 10 Social and Tech Trends that could Shape the Next Decade, Sarwant Singh 5/12/14

5 Climate Change Impacts and Adoption in Washington State, December 2013 and Reshaping Metropolitan America: Development Trends and Opportunities to 2030, Dr. Arthur Nelson, University of Utah 2013

6 Reshaping Metropolitan America: Development Trends and Opportunities to 2030, Dr. Arthur Nelson, University of Utah and The Trend Compendium 2030, Roland Berger, Strategy Consultants, March 2014