Collaborative metropolitan governance: An evaluation of local adoption in Denver

In response to regional challenges, U.S. Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) have undertaken collaborative visioning processes that encourage development in centers with mixed use and higher density development. For over two decades, the Denver region has promoted local voluntary adoption of centers through regional plans supported by a significant investment in transit. But are these regional efforts affecting local comprehensive plans? We analyzed the content of city plans for ten cities over 30 years. We also interviewed 13 planners in the region to understand the factors supporting and constraining local adoption and implementation of centers. We found that local governments have adopted centers; and, over time these centers have integrated more regional vision objectives. Transit investment and market forces significantly influence local adoption of centers. Other supporting and constraining influences include redevelopment investment, sales tax, grants, and incentives, and public and political support. Our findings suggest that local development is still strongly driven by local views and attitudes, and future regional plans need to create more significant incentives, clearer standards, and public and political deliberations about how the region will accommodate future growth.