35 percent more of us?

Evanston residents will have a chance to say how they feel about growth at a meeting later this month at the Civic Center.

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning forecasts that the Chicago region's population will increase about 35 percent by 2040 -- to nearly 11 million people.

Despite the popularity here of so-called "smart growth" strategies, many Evanstonians also seem to object to any increase in population density -- especially if it affects their neighborhood.

CMAP and the city will host a high-tech workshop -- complete with interactive software and keypad polling -- to gather citizen comment for a new comprehensive regional plan process on Thursday, Aug. 20, at the Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave.

Screenshot from Go to 2040 website.

The program also has a highly interactive website at which users can explore projected consequences of different planning choices.

If Evanston's population grew 35 percent, it would reach just over 100,000 by 2040.