Planning for the future is a key part of what the City of Bend does. Learn more about how long-range planning works below.

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How is growth managed?

Unlike most states, the State of Oregon requires cities to make room and plan for future population and employment growth within an urban growth boundary (UGB).  A UGB acts as an invisible boundary around a city and limits the expansion of urban development.

State law provides two main ways for a city to make room for future population and employment growth: growing up and growing out.

  • Growing up: Focuses on building new homes within the city boundaries through taller and more dense mixed-use buildings. It also includes reusing developed land for more intensive urban purposes. This approach efficiently uses land and conserves natural resources like water, farm and forest land. It can also provide new housing and employment opportunities closer to the core of the city.

  • Growing out: Focuses on expanding the UGB, which is the main way cities in Oregon can add land to their boundary. Expansion provides additional housing and employment opportunities. It can also create a wider variety of uses over time to have more convenient and enjoyable neighborhoods.

Through public engagement, the community provides input on how and where Bend grows. That input informs Bend’s Comprehensive Plan. This plan becomes local law and impacts how and where things get built over time.

Historic Imagery Viewer

Wondering where growth in Bend has happened over the past several decades? Historic Imagery Viewer is an interactive map comparing where and how Bend has grown between 1995 and 2022. What was Bend like in 1995 where you live, work, shop or play today?

To learn more about how and where the City is planning for the next 20 years of growth, visit: "What is the Plan for Bend’s Growth?”

What is the current plan for growth?

What does it take to actually plan for growth? Planning for the future considers a number of impacts on a community. These include how growth will influence the location and number of housing units, our water and sewer systems, how we get around town, future job opportunities and more.

In 2016, the City adopted the Comprehensive Plan which created a clear vision for Bend by the year 2028. This plan is being implemented over time to achieve its policy goals. Policy goals include creating more diverse housing options, identifying land to support economic development, and “wisely growing up and out”.

Planning for Housing

One of the City's main roles is to make sure Bend has land to meet the needs of our existing and future residents.

  • Housing: The Comprehensive Plan identified a need for 17,234 new housing units by 2028. We're on track to meet our housing target goals!

  • Housing choice: The plan calls for a diversity of housing choices for people, from single-family detached homes to townhomes, apartments and condos. A detailed study adopted in 2016 provides more information regarding Bend’s policies to provide more housing choices, affordability and capacity.

  • What's next: In the coming years, the plan will be updated to make sure Bend has enough capacity for the next 20 years of housing need.

Explore Bend's Housing Production Dashboard, or recent housing trends in these dashboards.

Planning for Complete Communities

Planning for the future doesn’t just mean accounting for new housing but thinking thoughtfully about how and where housing will be built in relation to other amenities.

  • Complete communities have varied housing options and many of the essential amenities needed for daily living. These include schools, parks and open spaces, shops and services, all within a convenient walking or biking distance.

  • These vibrant areas have safe and accessible transportation options, so residents do not need to rely on a car.

  • In 2016, the Comprehensive Plan established a vision where 86% of Bend residents will live within a 1/2 mile of shops, restaurants, and other amenities by 2028. About 99% will live within a 1/2 mile of parks and trails and 60% will live within a 1/2-mile distance of schools.

Read a more detailed report and analysis of Bend's urban form.

Planning for Transportation

As our city grows, the roadway system and built environment will gradually transition away from being car-dependent and into more walkable neighborhoods and commercial districts.

  • The focus will be on connecting businesses, houses, parks and schools with safe routes to walk, bike and take transit. It will also recognize the continued need for cars and freight transport. 
  • In the future, Bend will focus less on car-oriented projects. This shift will save money, offer more transportation options for those who can't drive or afford a car, and help reduce carbon emissions.

Find out more details about Bend's transportation plan.

Planning for Employment

Growth doesn’t just mean planning for housing. It also means making sure plans encourage and accommodate creating new jobs to support a larger population.  We’re planning for more than 60,000 jobs in Bend by 2028. 

  • That means planning for accessible commercial and mixed-use lands for businesses serving residents and visitors. It also means planning for industrial and mixed-employment lands for businesses producing new products and services.
  • Plans also consider water, sewer and transportation infrastructure to support all businesses in Bend.

Explore Appendix E: Economic Opportunities Analysis to learn more about how the City plans for employment.

Planning for Climate and Resilience

Planning for future growth also means considering how we manage water. Learn more about what the City is doing to conserve water and plan for the future.

For more information on planning for climate and resilience, visit the CFEC and CFA webpages.

Be Part of the Plan

Community participation in planning for growth is critical to shaping Bend's future. Growth Management is responsible for and honored to engage with residents to shape future plans. The City is committed to advancing equity by expanding community engagement with an emphasis on underrepresented and underengaged community members.

Learn how to get involved with planning Bend’s future.

Explore the information below to learn what areas of Bend are changing the most.

Historic Imagery Viewer. This tool compares development in Bend in 1995 to development in 2022. What was your neighborhood like in 1995?

Core Area
Northwest Bend
Northeast Bend
Southwest Bend
Southeast Bend

Have more questions about planning for growth? Visit our FAQ page.