Vision + Goals

Towards a Draft Vision 

Imagine everything you hope for the future has come true and describe the Knoxville of your dreams in 2050.  

Submit Your Vision

North Stars 

These are the key themes we heard that will inform the draft goals and guide the strategies and actions of the plan.

  • Safe ways to get around without a car including walking, biking, and better transit access and service.
  • Balanced and sustainable growth considering impacts on infrastructure, green space, and existing character.
  • Quality housing for all incomes and household sizes.
  • Complete walkable communities with a mix of uses and amenities to reduce the need to drive.
  • Creative approach to support infill and redevelopment through simplified regulations and processes.
  • Parks and greenways programmed and designed for all ages.
  • Equitable investment and opportunities across all neighborhoods.

Towards Draft Goals

These statements are crafted from all of the input we received from April - June 2026, especially the “north stars" activity, and help point us toward our draft vision and goals. Please review these and submit a comment below if you think anything is missing.  

  1. Grow the economy (reimagine the waterfront, support local businesses, increase visitor economy with expanded options, make space for new jobs and start-ups) 

  1. Connect neighborhoods and destinations (expand safer walking and biking, improve transit access and service, and increase greenway connections) 

  1. Strengthen neighborhoods for all ages (create more attainable, quality housing of all types, expand walkable, mixed-use complete communities, design for all ages) 

  1. Expand access to parks and community spaces (invest in parks and community spaces for all ages) 

  1. Promote equitable investment (advance investment in new amenities and services in underserved neighborhoods, expand homeownership opportunities, support minority-owned businesses)  

  1. Shape growth strategically (focus growth in strategic areas aligned with infrastructure, redevelop key corridors and neighborhood hubs, allow gentle density, increase tax base sustainably) 

  1. Bolster history, heritage, and culture (preserve and reuse historic buildings, encourage public art and festivals)  

  1. Protect natural resources (restore tree canopy, protect natural features such as forested areas, wetlands, and watersheds, protect air and water quality) 

  1. Invest in resilient infrastructure (address deferred maintenance, expand green infrastructure, reduce energy costs) 

  1. Provide clear, predictable development process (simplify regulations and process) 

Goals Feedback