The designation of urban and rural reserves will assist the Metro Council and local communities in implementation of the 2040 Growth Concept, the region's long-range plan for managing growth that was adopted in 1995. The 2040 Growth Concept seeks to:
- encourage more efficient use of land in cities, in business centers, on main streets and on major transit routes;
- protect natural areas, parks, streams and farmland both inside and outside the urban growth boundary;
- promote a transportation system that includes all types of travel, such as bicycling, walking and using mass transit, as well as cars and freight;
- work with neighboring cities outside of the Metro region – such as Canby, Newberg and Sandy – to keep the separation between communities; and
- promote diverse housing options for all residents of the region.