Comprehensive Regional Plan - Northwestern Indiana Regional ...

2040 CRP Summary / Growth and Conservation
RURAL & UNINCORPORATED FRAMEWORK
Conservation of Northwest Indiana’s open lands
is a key organizing principle of the CRP. While the
development of Livable Centers throughout the region
will reduce the need to develop our natural and
working landscapes, this section suggests strategies
to manage these valuable resources as our population
grows.
The vast majority of rural and
unincorporated lands in Northwest
Indiana lies in the southern part of
the region within the Kankakee River
Basin.
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While unincorporated and rural areas do
exist north of these areas, this happens
to be where some of the region’s larger
and faster-growing communities are
located. Of the 41 communities in
the three-county area, 29 are located
within the Lake Michigan watershed.
As discussed in more detail in the
section on Environment and Green
Infrastructure, there are many pristine
environments and natural systems
within the Kankakee River Basin.