What is SPM?
SPM is a web-based scenario development, modeling, and data organization tool developed to facilitate informed and collaborative planning among counties/subregions, local jurisdictions, other stakeholders, and the public. Built on open-source software platforms, SPM includes a suite of tools and analytical engines that help to quickly illustrate alternative plans and policies and to estimate their transportation, environmental, fiscal, public health, and community impacts. Moreover, SPM provides a common data framework within which local planning efforts can be easily integrated and synced with regional plans.
Background
Senate Bill (SB) 375, which was passed by the California Legislature and signed into law by the Governor in September 2008, requires each Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to develop a Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) for reducing carbon emissions. Under SB375, each MPO needs to provide the public with the necessary modeling information and tools for an informed assessment of the issues and policy choices in the development of SCS. Accordingly, in Spring 2011, SCAG developed the Local Sustainability Planning Tool (LSPT), a GIS-based sketch planning tool that allows users to create land use scenarios and analyze their impacts. Provided with preliminary scenarios of their planning areas, local planners were able to create, modify, and compare different land use scenarios and their subsequent impacts on vehicle ownership, vehicle miles traveled (VMT), mode use and GHG emissions. This allowed the local government participation in the development of the 2012 -2035 RTP/SCS to be far more fruitful than it otherwise would have been.
When SCAG initiated the 2016-2040 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) process, additional functional and analytical needs were identified to better foster the creation of a highly realistic and implementable SCS through a “bottom-up” approach. After the thorough review of scenario planning models and tools in practice, SCAG joined other major Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) in California – Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) and San Diego Association of Government (SANDAG) – in the enhancement and customization of the open-source version of UrbanFootprint . In order to make the customized tool useful to subregions and local jurisdictions, SCAG formed a Working Group in 2013 that included representatives from all counties and subregions in the SCAG region to serve as an advisory group on functional and operational aspects of the model. The Working Group offered an invaluable source of support and guidance in the development and implementation of UrbanFootprint based SCAG Scenario Planning Model (SPM).
Primary Purpose And Current Use
The primary purpose of SPM is to enhance the Region’s ability to address complex issues and evolving challenges by providing better information about alternative future scenarios and by building an improved linkage between local and regional planning. Within SCAG’s integrated modeling and forecasting system, SPM serves as a conduit for the delivery of up-to-date and locally vetted data and plans to key SCAG models by: delivering locally vetted data and plans to key SCAG models to ensure that regional plans are consistent with local data and policy inputs; and providing directional and order-of-magnitude impacts of local land use and policy decisions that will assist in the development of regional plans and associated scenario analysis.
SPM was initially deployed as two separate web services – SPM Data Management (SPM-DM) and SPM Scenario Development and Analysis (SPM-SD). SPM-DM tool was released in late 2017 to all local jurisdictions in the SCAG region to support the 2020 Connect SoCal (or 2020-2045 RTP/SCS) process by providing a common platform to share, review, update and disseminate data between SCAG and local jurisdictions. SPM-DM was instrumental in the timely and efficient review of and decision on important plan datasets and had supported in building a local-regional database connection until it was sunsetted in 2022. SPM-SD tool incorporates multiple analytical modules that produce a variety of critical metrics to inform and envision possible futures under different demographic growth, land use, and transportation scenarios. SPM-SD has primarily been used for regional plan development and analysis activities and remains to play an important role in facilitating scenario creation and editing with advanced analytic capabilities.
SCAG develops and applies state-of-the-art models, integrated into a comprehensive modeling and forecasting framework (see the chart below) to develop growth projections, travel forecasts, and emissions estimates to support the Region’s various planning programs.
2024 Southern California Demographic Workshop Program Announced
Register today to join SCAG for the 2024 Southern California Demographic Workshop on Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the SCAG offices in downtown Los Angeles. Online attendance is also available.
The program will gather local leaders, elected officials, and demographic experts to discuss how changing population growth affects regional planning—from accommodating development to improving quality of life and cultivating the economy.
2024 Southern California Demographics Workshop Registration Open, Keynote Announced
Registration is now open for the 2024 Southern California Demographic Workshop, “Navigating the New Growth Reality,” presented by SCAG and the Sol Price School of Public Policy at the University of Southern California. This 35th annual event will be held on Sept. 24 at SCAG’s main office in Downtown Los Angeles and will also be available to attend online.
Final State Budget Secures $480 Million for REAP 2.0 Program; Restores More Funding
The California State Legislature has approved the Budget Act of 2024, taking a major step forward in addressing the housing crisis by restoring funding to the Regional Early Action Planning Grants (REAP 2.0) program and other funding programs crucial to Southern California’s collective goals.
Regional Early Action Planning Program Update
On May 30, the legislative leadership in the State Assembly and State Senate announced the Joint Legislative Budget Plan. Thanks to the collective advocacy efforts of SCAG and its partners, the Joint Legislative Budget Plan restores funding for several programs cut under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s January Budget proposal and May Revision.
General Assembly Elects 2024-25 Board Officers
The General Assembly approved the nominations for the SCAG 2024-25 Board Officers as recommended by the Regional Council: Hon. Curt Hagman (County of San Bernardino) will serve as 2024-25 Regional Council president; Hon. Cindy Allen (City of Long Beach) will serve as Regional Council first vice president; and Hon. Ray Marquez (City of Chino Hills) will serve as Regional Council second vice president. Leadership also recognized Hon.
Connect SoCal 2024 Approved
The formal adoption of Connect SoCal 202
Regional Early Action Planning Grant Program of 2021 (REAP 2.0) Advocacy Updates
Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget announced on Jan. 16 includes $300 million in cuts to the Regional Early Action Planning program of 2021 (REAP 2.0) that will result in approximately $123 million in cuts from SCAG’s $246 million REAP 2.0 program.
Proposed State Budget Would Cut Funding for Regional Early Action Planning Grant Program
The proposed budget announced by Governor Gavin Newsom on Jan. 16 includes $1.2 billion in cuts to funding for housing programs, including $300 million for the Regional Early Action Planning program of 2021 (REAP 2.0).
Connect SoCal 2024 Public Comment Update
As part of the public comment period for the draft Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, SCAG hosted 15 briefings with elected officials in Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. In all, 229 local elected officials, city and county staff and stakeholders participated in the briefings, where SCAG leadership shared details of the draft Connect SoCal 2024 and discussed implementing the plan’s vision for a more resilient and equitable future.
SCAG Adopts Carbon Reduction Program Guidelines
The SCAG Executive/Administration Committee approved guidelines for the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) on Dec. 6, 2023. SCAG will be initiating a combined solicitation for project nominations for the CRP along with the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program—all FHWA funding programs—in Jan. 2024. Eligible entities should begin discussing potential nominations with their respective county transportation commission as soon as possible.
Draft Connect SoCal 2024 and Draft Program Environmental Impact Report Now Available for Public Comment
The SCAG Regional Council voted on Nov. 2, 2023, to release both the draft Connect SoCal 2024, the region’s 2024-2050 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) and the accompanying Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for public review and comment through Jan. 12, 2024. The comment period for the draft Connect SoCal 2024 plan begins on Nov. 23, while the comment period for the draft PEIR begins on Nov. 9.
Economic Summit Registration Now Open
Registration is now open for SCAG’s 14th annual Southern California Economic Summit on Dec. 7 at the Sheraton Grand Los Angeles. Mark your calendars and register now to join leaders in business, planning and public policy to assess the state of the region’s economy.
Demographic Workshop Program Preview
Registration is open for the 34th annual Demographic Workshop, “The Seismic Generational Shift,” hosted by SCAG and the USC Price School of Public Policy on Sept. 20. This event will take place at the SCAG Main Office in downtown Los Angeles, with an online broadcast for virtual viewing.
SCAG Awarded $237 Million for REAP 2.0
The Department of Housing and Community Development has officially approved SCAG’s full funding application, awarding SCAG with more than $237 million in REAP 2.0 funds.
Update on the RHNA Reform Process and Schedule
The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is crafting recommendations to reform the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) process, which will be provided in a report to the California State Legislature by Dec. 31.
SCAG Leads Annual Regional Conference & General Assembly
SCAG kicked off the 2023 Regional Conference & General Assembly today in Palm Desert with a message from outgoing Regional Council President Jan Harnik and a video review of SCAG’s accomplishments from 2022-23.
SCAG Kicks Off Public Outreach Initiatives for Connect SoCal 2024
Every four years, SCAG updates its visionary plan for the future of the region, Connect SoCal. This process is now underway, and we want to hear from our stakeholders.
Please join us at a public workshop or pop-up event to learn more about the plan, ask questions and provide input. The purpose of these events is to gather input from each community to establish planning priorities for the next 20 to 30 years.
SCAG develops and applies state-of-the-art models, integrated into a comprehensive modeling and forecasting framework (see the chart below) to develop growth projections, travel forecasts, and emissions estimates to support the Region’s various planning programs.