All of the speakers focused on how to strengthen traditional urban areas to reduce the pressure for outward expansion into new areas. Far from seeking to stop suburban development, Growing Inward sought to find ways to enable already developed neighborhoods to grow in a planned way, along with outer areas, for the benefit of the entire community.

The speakers' messages have been distilled into a Checklist for Change, core ideas that came out of the three-year series. These recommendations - which have been used successfully elsewhere - can make a difference in Columbus. A viable, healthy metropolitan area with a high quality of life that includes a 24-hour downtown; safe, convenient neighborhoods for people of all incomes; conservation of valuable open space and an efficient transportation system will not happen by accident. It will be the result of sustained cooperative action throughout the metropolitan area. Here are recommendations for addressing issues that will begin to move the Columbus metropolitan area in the directions suggested by the speakers of the Growing Inward series.

Those speakers brought broad national perspectives, observations about future trends and ideas to strengthen and enhance Columbus's efforts to make its metropolitan area, especially its downtown and existing urbanized areas, lively and livable. This checklist can turn that information into a process for change  - beginning now.

Using the checklist will require visionary leadership from the public sector, creative investment strategies from the private sector and an effort by both sectors to collaborate for the good of the entire community.