Two ramps that have minimal impact on traffic could make way for apartments, commercial spaces, or much-needed parks.

Bill Lindeke argues that "a pair of one-lane viaducts looming in the middle of a lovely neighborhood, blotting out the sun atop massive concrete pillars surrounded by surface parking" have no place in their otherwise "thriving, cosmopolitan part of downtown" Minneapolis. According to Lindeke, the ramps likely "do more harm than good," saving about 15,000 drivers per day "maybe two minutes of travel time, and that’s if you are being very generous with route mapping." Meanwhile, the "marginally useful" ramps are surrounded by "some of the hottest real estate in the country."
"Back in the 1950s, building urban freeways through the downtown core seemed like a good idea with few drawbacks. But now, when downtowns are adding tens of thousands of new residents, it might be time to shift urban planning priorities." With freeway removal projects "becoming a hot trend" around the country, Lindeke argues the North Loop is an ideal candidate. "Based on the property tax receipts of the adjacent block, the land underneath the viaducts is worth at least $5 million of property tax revenue annually" and could be developed into housing, offices, and parks. "This example is as clear-cut a case as you’ll find in Minnesota of addition by subtraction, taking out an unneeded section of freeway, improving the downtown economy, and greening one of the city’s thriving neighborhoods."

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Rebuilding Smarter: How LA County Is Guiding Fire-Ravaged Communities Toward Resilience
Los Angeles County is leading a coordinated effort to help fire-impacted communities rebuild with resilience by providing recovery resources, promoting fire-wise design, and aligning reconstruction with broader sustainability and climate goals.

When Borders Blur: Regional Collaboration in Action
As regional challenges outgrow city boundaries, “When Borders Blur” explores how cross-jurisdictional collaboration can drive smarter, more resilient urban planning, sharing real-world lessons from thriving partnerships across North America.

Philadelphia Is Expanding its Network of Roundabouts
Roundabouts are widely shown to decrease traffic speed, reduce congestion, and improve efficiency.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
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Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
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NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service