Minnesota

Over $14 Million Awarded to Eight Projects to Find Alternatives to Gas Taxes

The U.S. Department of Transportation is funding ways to transition from the gas tax to other user-based revenue mechanisms to fund transportation infrastructure. The federal gas tax hasn't keep pace with transportation expenditures since 2008.

September 6, 2016 - U.S. D.O.T. Press Release

Southwest LRT

Minnesota's Southwest Light Rail Back From the Dead

Regional and county agencies figured out a way to move forward with the Southwest light rail plan without the help of the politically divided state. That could mean the state has time to climb on board by next year's legislative session.

September 4, 2016 - MinnPost

Food Trucks

Minneapolis Grapples with Food Truck Regulations

Downtown property owners are clashing with food truck operators over where the latter should park their businesses.

August 23, 2016 - MinnPost

Southwest LRT

Minnesota's Southwest Light Rail on its Last Legs

Republicans in Minnesota are ready to put the final nail in the coffin of the proposed Southwest light rail project, which would connect downtown Minneapolis to Eden Prairie.

August 22, 2016 - MinnPost

Colorful Kayaks

A Kayak Share Service Blossoms in Minneapolis

The National Park Service is bringing the sharing economy to the Mississippi River in Minnesota this month with a first of its kind kayak sharing service.

August 8, 2016 - Minneapolis-St. Paul Star-Tribune

Sharrows on Sidewalks?

Generally speaking, bikes on sidewalks are not a good idea, but a federally funded project in Duluth, Minnesota may cause planners to take a second look at the practice.

August 5, 2016 - The Bemidji Pioneer

Minneapolis, Park, Bossen Field

Changing Tastes Push Minneapolis' Parks From Baseball to Soccer

In a move to address changing preferences, some Minneapolis' parks are slowly eliminating baseball diamonds and tennis courts in favor of adaptable fields and multi-purpose courts.

July 18, 2016 - Minneapolis-St. Paul Star-Tribune

Bike Parking: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

have you ever found bike parking hidden behind a dumpster?

July 16, 2016 - MinnPost

Twins Logo Sign

More Transportation Options Needed to Connect Workers and Jobs in the Twin Cities

A new study identifies the disconnect between employees and employers in the Twin Cities region. The report also predicts dramatic improvements if the region's long-term transportation plans are realized.

July 12, 2016 - Star Tribune

Minnesota High-Speed Rail Passes Preliminary Test

The North American High Speed Rail Group has proposed an elevated, $4.2 billion, 150+ mph high-speed rail line above existing highways without public subsidy between Rochester and the Twin Cities. Completion is estimated for 2021.

July 7, 2016 - Post-Bulletin

Clear-Sky Flood

Welcome to a Changed Climate: It Even Floods When it's Sunny

A new report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration documents the increasing frequency of nuisance floods and "clear-sky flooding."

June 11, 2016 - USA Today

Portland Transit

Rail Transit: You Get What You Pay For

Seattle Transit blog compares rail investments from five cities around the country.

June 9, 2016 - Seattle Transit Blog

Gateway Arch Rendering 2

Planetizen Week in Review: June 3, 2016

Planetizen Managing Editor James Brasuell shares some of the biggest news and announcements from the week in planning, land use, and related topics. All in two minutes and 30 seconds.

June 3, 2016 - Planetizen

Minneapolis Puts Pedestrians First in Adopting New Complete Streets Policy

Expanding on the complete streets policies that have come before it, the new Minneapolis complete streets policy prioritizes users: first pedestrians, then bikes, then transit, and, finally, cars.

June 1, 2016 - Minneapolis Star Tribune

Wheelock Parkway

Inside the Mysteries of St. Paul's Wheelock Parkway

An exploration, historical and geographic, of St. Paul's Wheelock Parkway reveals the twists and turns of transportation infrastructure.

May 30, 2016 - MinnPost

Portland

Reflecting on Regional Planning—50 Years Later

The planning world celebrated Jane Jacobs's 100th birthday earlier this month, and has already begun commemorating the centennial of New York's first zoning code. But did you know regional planning rose to prominence 50 years ago?

May 25, 2016 - MZ Strategies

Hybrid Bus

Gold Line Busway Planning Moves Forward in Suburban Minnesota

The cities of Oakdale and Lake Elmo made their opposition to a proposed busway connecting to St. Paul known by withdrawing their support for the project. Now Gold Line transit planners are refocusing their efforts on station location decisions.

May 18, 2016 - Star Tribune

St. Paul Skyway

Public Safety a Growing Concern in St. Paul Skyways

As more people come to Downtown St. Paul to live and sightsee, foot traffic in the city's famous skyways has increased at later hours of the day and night. With that new traffic comes new concerns about public safety.

May 13, 2016 - StarTribune

Northwestern National Life

Minnesota's Modernism Gaining Historic Status

It might seem like a contradiction of terms, but many buildings labeled "modern" when built some 50 years ago are now considered "historic."

May 12, 2016 - MinnPost

No Sidewalks

Sidewalk Additions Prompt Outrage in Suburban Minneapolis

In the Minneapolis suburb of St. Louis Park, some residents can't fathom the idea of the city spending $3.1 million to add sidewalks in existing residential neighborhoods.

May 4, 2016 - StarTribune

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.