A new study projects a half-million population growth for Central Ohio by the year 2050.
The study, conducted by Calthorpe Associates provides data and tools to evaluate growth in Central Ohio to help local leaders make informed choices for future growth and development.
William Murdock from the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission says planning now will make future development easier.
"What we are seeing early on is to accommodate market demand could have real impact on infrastructure spending, the types of housing and the types of development that we're going to see in central Ohio," said Murdock.
This kind of growth will create greater demand. The preliminary findings show there will be a high demand for single-family housing and walkability distance to work.
Calthorpe's Joseph DiStefano believes it is vital to plan for the consequences of growth.
"From our perspective it's important to plan for that growth and to understand its implications," said DiStefano.
The study also predicts about 300,000 new jobs in Central Ohio by 2050.