The City of Austin, Texas is expected to grow dramatically in the next generation—doubling in population and adding a comparable level of jobs within roughly the same geographical borders that currently exist for the City. That underscored the critical need for an update to the City’s comprehensive plan for managing growth.  The current general plan for Austin was adopted in 1979. The Austin City Council concluded that an entirely new comprehensive plan was needed, known as “Imagine Austin.” It would be an expression of the Austin community’s shared values, aspirations, and vision for the future; the policy foundation for decision-mak­ing by the City and its partners to proac­tively manage growth and change; and the City’s “to-do” list defining a citywide action program and priorities to be implemented over time to achieve the vision.

The public’s participation is integral to the composition of the Imagine Austin comprehensive plan, and the City’s methods for engaging the public have utilized multiple, innovative platforms to ensure diverse elements of the community help shape Austin’s future.