Putting a Bow on Top of the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan

The City Council overcame a last minute legal challenge to approve the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan late last week.

1 minute read

December 10, 2018, 5:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Stone Arch Bridge

Iris van den Broek / Shutterstock

Miguel Otárola reports on the culmination fo the Minneapolis 2040 comprehensive plan, which overcame some last minute hurdles last week to win approval from the Minneapolis City Council, with a 12-1 vote.

Capping a nearly yearlong debate over how Minneapolis should grow, the City Council voted 12-1 Friday to approve the 2040 comprehensive plan, a far-reaching document that seeks a more densely populated, affordable and racially equitable city.

The 2040 plan has gained national attention for its citywide upzoning. It would allow the construction of multifamily housing, such as duplexes or triplexes, in neighborhoods that for decades have been reserved for single-family homes.

For more commentary on the significances of the plan in the contemporary urbanism debate, see also an article by Henry Grabar.

For more on the controversies, debate, and politics that led to the historic vote, see Planetizen's past coverage.

Friday, December 7, 2018 in Star Tribune

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Interior of Place Versailles mall in Montreal, Canada.

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units

Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

May 22, 2025 - CBC

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

June 4, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and yellow DART light rail train in Dallas, Texas with brick building in background.

DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process

The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.

May 28, 2025 - Mass Transit

Line of multi-colored big rig trucks drivign down highway with other traffic including a yellow school bus.

Study: 4% of Truckers Lack a Valid Commercial License

Over 56% of inspected trucks had other violations.

June 4 - FreightWaves

Pedestrian holding visual impairment cane pressing crosswalk button.

Chicago Judge Orders Thousands of Accessible Ped Signals

Only 3% of the city's crossing signals are currently accessible to blind pedestrians.

June 4 - DRA Legal

People on bike wearing helmets stopped at intersection waiting for passing cars in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia Swaps Car Lanes for Bikeways in Unanimous Vote

The project will transform one of the handful of streets responsible for 80% of the city’s major crashes.

June 4 - Philly Voice

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.