OKI has been asking “Where Do We Grow From Here?” because as our region grows, the transportation system must grow too. Aside from streets and roads, adequate parks, water and sewer systems should also be available to new residents and businesses while we try to maintain and operate what we already have – and as more and more demands are placed on tax dollars by other needs.

OKI looks at long-range transportation planning at the regional level. Land use decisions happen locally, and they vary considerably among cities and counties. Planning at both levels is essential to make sure that adequate and cost effective public infrastructure is available in a timely fashion. Better coordination between local land use planning and regional transportation planning helps to stretch limited taxpayer dollars. OKI is committed to help our partners in local governments implement well-defined land use and transportation strategies, and to fully participate in regional transportation plans.

While OKI has no authority - and seeks no authority - over local land use decisions, OKI’s Board of Trustees (now Board of Directors) sat as a special land use commission to study the complex connection between transportation and how we use land for homes, businesses, parks and factories. Their primary goal was to bring about more consistency between local land use planning and regional transportation planning, so scarce taxpayer dollars can be used for maximum benefit.

Policies for the Future

The Strategic Regional Policy Plan Composite Zoning Map Composite Existing Land Use Map Public Forum Report – Regional Visioning Process Highlights from Public Meetings on Regional Growth

In April 2005, after extensive review by local officials and public participation, OKI’s Board adopted a Strategic Regional Policy Plan. This blueprint for change entitled Where Do We Grow From Here?: A Strategic Regional Policy Plan calls for consistent local comprehensive planning and rewarding it with additional consideration in the funding for transportation projects.

The Plan looks at land use and transportation planning across county lines in a way that had never been done before in the Greater Cincinnati region. It provides the opportunity to determine what kind of region we want for ourselves and our children. The Strategic Plan’s underlying themes are the timing, location and cost of development, and redevelopment.

Through more consistency between local land use planning and transportation planning, the practice of transportation planning at the local and regional levels will be advanced, and our region’s economic vitality will be enhanced.

Implementing the Strategic Regional Policy Plan

Regional Trends Community Choices Toolkit Presentations and Articles Additional Resources & Links

The 2005 Strategic Regional Policy Plan is being implemented on a voluntary basis over a period of years by OKI, local governments and other organizations. As part of implementation, OKI has been working with local governments to increase the understanding of trends that affect land use, transportation and local budgets. A Community Choices Toolkit is available as a service to any local government in the region to use, modify or ignore as they see fit. OKI is committed to help local governments implement well-founded land use and transportation strategies and to help them to fully participate in regional transportation plans.

For more information on about this document, please email Bill Miller, Larisa Sims or Jane Wittke of OKI staff or phone 513-621-6300.