Des Moines Metropolitan Area

The Des Moines Metropolitan Area consists of over a dozen cities and three counties in central Iowa. This area’s regional population is growing over 400,000, the largest urban region in the state, and also is surrounded by some of the most fertile farmland in Iowa. Being based in the capitol city of Des Moines has allowed 1000 Friends to be deeply engaged with land use issues in the region over the past ten years.

 
1000 FRIENDS OF IOWA'S GOALS FOR THE REGION:

• Stimulate revitalization of historic neighborhoods and downtown Des Moines
• Protect prime farmland, valuable natural areas and recreational assets
• Change development patterns to prevent auto-dependent sprawl, and instead build walkable neighborhoods and livable communities
• Shift transportation investments towards repairing our existing roads, expand Des Moines Area Regional Transit (DART) services, and improve bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure
• Ensure that land use and transportation plans provide benefits to the community as a whole, and not just a few select individuals
• Engage citizens in determining what to build next and where in their communities
• Convene a broad range of stakeholders and decision-makers to collaboratively implement smart growth

COMING SOON:

Solutions for Sustainability in the Des Moines Metro Area 

Polk County Road Projects

Background and History 

Upcoming Meetings