October 1, 2025
This document plans for the orderly growth and development of the region and considers future population growth, economic trends, environmental concerns, and technological advancements to guide investments in roads, public transit, biking and walking infrastructure, and other transportation modes.
The DVRPC Board adopted the Update: Connections 2050 Plan for Greater Philadelphia at its September meeting. This document plans for the orderly growth and development of the region and considers future population growth, economic trends, environmental concerns, and technological advancements to guide investments in roads, public transit, biking and walking infrastructure, and other transportation modes. Developed with regional stakeholders, including the public, the Plan sets a 2050 vision for a Greater Philadelphia that provides:
- A safe, modern, multimodal transportation network for all.
- An innovative and connected economy with opportunity and shared prosperity.
- Integrated, healthy, and walkable communities.
- A preserved and restored natural environment and healthy ecological systems.
- Clean, reliable, and affordable infrastructure and utility services resilient to the effects of extreme weather.
Update: Connections 2050 also contains a $78 billion financial plan for investing in multimodal transportation assets over the next 25 years. This includes funding to maintain and modernize existing infrastructure, make new capital investments in roadway and transit, and make operational improvements to increase the safety and efficiency of our transportation network.
This long-range plan has significant changes from the previous version adopted in 2021. It includes revised Plan Centers to guide growth between now and 2050 towards locations with transit access and existing density. Most prominently, Update: Connections 2050 adds a new plan element, Infrastructure and Utility Services, that complements the existing elements: Transportation, Economy, Community, and Environment. The Plan establishes three goals and supporting strategies for each plan element and identifies the various parties responsible for implementing each strategy recommendation. Updates to the financial plan include full funding for the regional Circuit Trail Network, a new Substantive Safety category for Vision Zero-supportive projects, a new Green Transportation category, and a revised list of funded and aspirational Major Regional Projects, among other changes.
A public comment period was held from July 18 to August 20, 2025. Documents were posted online, made available in public libraries, and distributed to tribal nations. DVRPC held two public meetings, one in person at Mullica Hill Library in New Jersey and one in person at DVRPC’s office, which included an option to attend online. DVRPC received 165 written comments on behalf of advocacy groups and the general public and will link to the comments and responses from the Plan’s web page.
“We are thrilled that the DVRPC Board adopted the new long-range plan,” said DVRPC Executive Director Ariella Maron. “The Plan is the result of a lot of hard work and consensus building. It sets a shared vision and set of priorities for Greater Philadelphia and provides the blueprint to achieve this 2050 vision, including how we work together across all levels of government and sectors in service to our communities.”
Learn more about the Update: Connections 2050 Plan for Greater Philadelphia.