Bringing together a number of recent area planning efforts, the goal of The Tomorrow Plan is to develop a vision for what a sustainable Greater Des Moines will look like in 2050—and the steps to make it a reality.

Working within a tight timeframe and budget for a project of this scale, Sasaki led both the technical exploration and interactive outreach components of the project. Sasaki’s bold project branding and comprehensive outreach approach have led to a distinctive project identity evident in all aspects of the planning. Frequent public activities and events showcase the multifaceted nature of the project including action-oriented open houses, The Tomorrow Plan Exchange blog, national speakers, dispersed local public meetings, social media, educational webinars, a virtual town hall, and an interactive website with custom-made input applications. Project information can be found on the Tomorrow Plan’s website.

On the technical side, Sasaki coordinated a team of national experts projecting trends and developing an interactive scenario planning tool to help residents envision various possible futures for the region. Sasaki worked closely with a regional consortium of 17 municipalities, four counties, and a number of other agencies and organizations in Greater Des Moines to guide the technical and outreach aspects of the project. The Tomorrow Plan aligns multiple planning elements—transportation, land use, housing, economic and workforce development, and the environment—in a comprehensive framework for sustainable development.