The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments projects DC's population to be a historically high 900,000 by 2040. The highest population DC's ever seen was 802,000 in 1950. With those numbers, we'll run out of space in less than 30 years, Washingtonian reports. In order to get on track, several things need to be fixed. For starters, the 16-year-old zoning code needs a thorough update. We also need to replace the outdated 2006 Comprehensive Plan, which guides all planning, zoning and development. Then we can begin to find ways to repurpose land and buildings, like converting offices into housing as more people turn to telecommuting. Legislation like the Height Act—limiting buildings to 130 feet tall—also hinders growth. [Washingtonian]
What is DC's Plan for a Record-Breaking Population?
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DC population, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
