The Urban Land Institute and the AP have information on the "Reality Check" conference to be held in February 2005 to help urban planners in the Washington Metro area plan for continued growth.

Estimates include an additional two million people and 1.6 million jobs flowing into the area by 2030. Transportation systems, already under severe strain, are bound to be at the top of the list.

The interactive planning style has been used in Los Angeles, according to the article. Teams of planners will use advanced GIS systems, as well as low-tech Legos, to plan where to put shopping, homes, and businesses to accomodate the estimated growth in the region.