What Do We Want the Region to Look Like in 2050?
Every region needs a roadmap for the future—and that’s what a long-range plan provides. The regional vision for 2050 imagines a Greater Philadelphia that is safer, more connected, and more resilient—where communities prosper, people can move easily and affordably, and natural resources are protected.
DVRPC works with partners across the region to shape this shared vision. The plan guides major transportation decisions, such as making biking and walking safer, improving transit, and maintaining reliable travel on our roads. But it’s about more than getting from A to B. Transportation influences where we live, how the economy grows, and how we care for the environment. Our plan looks at the big picture, connecting all the pieces that make our region a great place to live and thrive.
The Regional Vision for 2050 is a Greater Philadelphia that provides:
A safe, modern, multimodal Transportation network for all
An innovative and connected Economy with opportunity and shared prosperity for all
Healthy, walkable, and vibrant Communities
A preserved and restored natural Environment with thriving ecological systems
Clean, reliable, and affordable Infrastructure and Utility Services resilient to the effects of extreme weather
Click on each Plan Element above to explore more
Explore the Vision in Maps
What will Greater Philadelphia look like in 2050? The Plan envisions dense, connected communities that are positioned to grow and thrive. By focusing new development in these areas—called Centers—the region can make the most of existing transportation options while reducing financial and environmental costs.
These maps use existing passenger rail and the proposed Glassboro-Camden Line to create a visual guide to strategic growth—helping Greater Philadelphia build on its assets, protect open space, and support walkable, vibrant communities where people can live, work, and play.
Get DataUse the interactive map to explore this vision in two layers:
Land Use:
Shows how the region can grow in smart, balanced ways by aligning future development with existing infrastructure. It highlights redevelopment opportunities, emerging growth areas, rural landscapes to preserve, and green spaces that link them together.
Plan Centers:
Identifies specific Centers where future growth is prioritized and where investments in housing, infrastructure, and jobs can have the greatest impact.
Data Source: DVRPC, DVRPC U:C2050 Land Use Vision; Long Range Plan 2050 Planning Centers; Passenger Rail; Passenger Rail Stations, 2026. Get the dataVision Survey Feedback
The regional vision reflects the ideas and priorities of the people who live and work in Greater Philadelphia. Through a public survey with both multiple-choice and open-ended questions, participants shared what they liked (or didn’t) about the previous Plan and suggested what to add, change, or leave out. We also asked for feedback on new topics like infrastructure and utility services.
More than 1,300 people representing each of our nine counties weighed in, and their input helped shape this vision. Here’s a snapshot of what we heard:
Building Blocks of the Vision
The Plan is built around five key Plan Elements: Transportation, Economy, Communities, Environment, and Infrastructure & Utility Services. Each element includes three Goals that move us closer to our regional vision, along with Strategies that outline how to achieve them and identify who can help make them happen.
Explore the Plan Elements