As someone born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Arlington nearly 50 years ago, it’s astonishing to think that 2050 is only 25 years away. Reflecting on the past five decades fills me with both pride and hope.
The changes that have occurred in Arlington and the broader region show the power of forward-thinking policies. At the same time, they remind us that the decisions we make today will shape life for generations to come.
Learning from the Past
I was born the year before the Metro opened. At the time, Arlington’s population was just 156,000, and the DMV region was home to 2.6 million people. Today, Arlington is approaching 250,000 residents, and the DMV exceeds 5.5 million. This growth is the result of investments in transportation, education and economic development. The long-range vision of previous leaders has allowed Arlington to flourish.
We must learn from the past and recognize that our decisions today will have both intended and unintended consequences for future generations. Arlington has been at the forefront of planning and development, from the growth of Rosslyn and Crystal City to the challenges of the BRAC crisis. Good planning gives us the ability to address both anticipated and unforeseen challenges.
Addressing Today’s Challenges
To ensure Arlington thrives in the next 25 to 50 years, several key issues must be addressed: affordable housing, childcare access, high-quality education, workforce development and maintaining a welcoming community.
While these challenges are not new, they are more complex today. First, Arlington faces greater competition from neighboring jurisdictions. Second, disparities between the “haves” and “have-nots” continue to plague our community. Columbia Pike, despite significant investment, still struggles with economic development and school performance.
On Columbia Pike specifically, we must integrate the area better with the rest of the community – improving connectivity, ensuring all students thrive and attracting businesses that serve residents while preserving the unique character of the Pike. This type of integration has worked in areas like Del Ray and Westover, and we can achieve it on the Pike as well.
Finally, climate change looms large. It will impact every aspect of life in Arlington, from infrastructure to equity, and must be central to our planning efforts.
A Vision for 2050
In 2050, I envision Arlington as a hub of innovation and inclusivity. Economic and cultural divides will have diminished, with all areas – north and south – offering diverse housing options for families of all backgrounds. Metro, fully funded with support from federal and regional stakeholders, will serve as the backbone of a multimodal transportation network, making movement throughout the region efficient and sustainable.
Arlington’s workforce will remain highly educated and diverse, with industries like technology, healthcare and green energy thriving alongside our long-standing proximity to the federal government. Collaboration with neighboring jurisdictions will be key to maintaining our competitive edge.
But most important, we will have built a community where everyone is included. Opportunity gaps will have closed, generational poverty will be addressed and pathways for success will be open to all residents, regardless of background. Arlington will continue to model how economic growth and social progress can coexist.
Moving Forward: A Call to Action
To achieve this vision, we must act now. The future won’t wait. As residents, leaders and policymakers, we have a responsibility to push for smart, sustainable growth. This means investing in housing, supporting education and ensuring our infrastructure can meet future demands.
I hope residents – owners and renters alike – along with businesses, engage in this dialogue through a lens of possibility. Arlington has a reputation for being deliberate, but also for innovation and inclusivity. By embracing these strengths, I’m confident that Arlington will continue to be a model for a thriving, inclusive community in 2050 and beyond.
