Planit

Have you ever thought about how urban planning in other countries around the world is similar or different from the US? Are planning issues, priorities, and processes different from one place to another? How can we learn from each other and employ best planning practices across the globe? In this episode, we explored planning in Scotland, since it is similar in size to the state of Minnesota. Alan Brown, Planning Officer with Dundee City Council talks about planning in Scotland and how approaches to similar issues are different.

When we consider planning for local wastewater infrastructure, we hear a lot about inflow and infiltration. What is inflow and infiltration? Why does it matter and how can we plan for it over the long-term? This podcast explores the intricacies of this topic and provides insight into this important planning consideration and how to best reduce inflow and infiltration through collaboration and use of data.

By 2040, the population of the Twin Cities metropolitan area is forecasted to increase by more than 500,000 people. As the region grows and additional households move into denser areas, the need for a sustainable public transportation system becomes even more evident. Twin Cities transit system has been expanding and providing a variety of options for users. One of the newer system expansions are Arterial Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines. In this episode, Katie Roth, Manager of Arterial BRT with MetroTransit, talks about the impacts of a BRT line and the roles that Cities play to make the most advantage of such investments.

We often hear about projects that have to go through an environmental review process, such as a stadium or light-rail projects. However, environmental reviews encompass much more than high profile projects. Many housing developments, highway improvements and stream realignments are also subject to environmental review. In this episode, Kristin Mroz from the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) discusses different types of environmental reviews, the requirements, and the steps needed to complete this process. Additional information and resources mentioned throughout the episode can be found on the EQB's Environmental Review Program website. 

While planning for Solar access is a requirement of comprehensive planning in the metro area, other renewable resources can be a great source of energy and economic stability. Brian Ross, Program Director at Great Plains Institute (GPI) walks us through the importance of incorporating planning for renewable resources in long-range and everyday planning efforts.

In the recent years, we have seen changes in the climate, resulting in many issues around the country, such as flooding, fire, health impacts, hot summers, and rainy winters. While a changing climate encompasses a wide range of disciplines, planners are in a unique situation to prepare and plan for a better future. In this episode, Eric Wojchik, Senior Planner at the Metropolitan Council, will talk about the regional Climate Vulnerability Assessment (CVA) project, and resources for planners to do similar analysis in their communities. Be sure to check out the Metropolitan Council CVA website, localized flooding and extreme heat story maps, and the Local Planning Handbook’s Resilience plan element.

Minnesota is well known for the extensive number of lakes and waterbodies that exist within the state. These natural resources are invaluable assets that should be protected from negative impacts of development around them, mainly in the more urbanized area. In this episode, Matt Bauman (651-259-5710), Floodplain and Shoreland Planner with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), explains standards and measures for better protection of shoreland and floodplain areas at the local level. He also provides resources for communities to more easily adopt and implement shoreland and floodplain planning.

Planners use geospatial data on a regular basis. Some use it to create simple maps, while others need data for nuanced projects. Ultimately, maps and data are visual tools that allow for better informed decision making. Geoff Maas, MetroGIS Coordinator at the Metropolitan Council, talks about his efforts in making GIS data in the Twin Cities region open and standardized, and how it benefits the planning profession. 

We have covered different planning topics since the beginning of our PlanIt Podcast Series. But we didn’t start with what the value of long-range planning is, and what could the future of planning look like. What are some considerations to keep in mind when thinking long term? In this episode, Lyle Wray, the Executive Director of Capital Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) in Connecticut, sat with us during a recent visit to the Twin Cities to talk about the value of long-range planning, and what the future of planning could look like.

PlanIt is a monthly (for the most part!) podcast on a variety of planning topics related to comprehensive plans. If you have an idea for a new episode, email us at ReviewsCoordinator@metc.state.mn.us. Stay tuned for the next episode! 

You most likely have heard the term ‘Economic Development’ a lot, but what does it really mean and how do different cities approach it? In this episode we talked with Dave Gontarek, Principal Project Manager, and Nora Riemenschneider, Economic Development Program Coordinator at the City of St. Paul about their experiences and ideas for successful economic development.

Planning can at times create unintended consequences, mostly for lower income communities and communities of color. It's the job of planners and policy makers to address these inequitable outcomes. Green Zones Initiative in Minneapolis is a concept to ensure these efforts are intentional, organized, and timely. Another similar effort is EcoDistricts that focuses on sustainable communities. In this episode, Kelly Muellman, Sustainability Program Coordinator at the City of Minneapolis explains the City's work and collaboration with the community in establishing this policy. 

Planning for a community includes thinking about the population and their housing needs in the future. Local governments need to be mindful of the policies they adopt and resources they provide. In this episode, James Lehnhoff from Ehlers talks about housing, housing finance, tools and how to meet your community's future needs. 

Change is inevitable. Communities are constantly changing and evolving due to new demands, technology, public spaces, and more. Private sector developers play an important role in shaping the future of the communities. So, what is their relationship like with Cities and planners? And how can this relationship be utilized to achieve positive outcomes for all parties? In this episode, Peter Brown who consults with both sides, explores ways to ensure best results.

Neighborhood is a term loosely used when talking about any certain area of a community. But Neighborhood Groups exist in many communities across the Twin Cities region regardless of the exact terminology and size of the neighborhood. These group structures can be a valuable conduit in connecting with the residents. In this episode, we explore the value of collaboration between Neighborhood Groups and Cities in local planning processes and best practices. Our guests are Tabitha Montgomery, the Executive Director of the Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association, and Lisa Barajas, Vice-Chair of the board of Corcoran Neighborhood Organization, in Minneapolis.

Space and place define our cities. According to Max Musicant, the Founder and Principal at The Musicant Group, place and space can be used for creative activities, or to foster community engagement with groups who may not normally be at the table. In this episode, we talk about placemaking and community engagement with underrepresented populations. We recorded this episode at the Capella Tower in downtown Minneapolis, where the Musicant Group helped change the use of common spaces in the building. We apologize for the audio quality of this podcast.

Recently, communities are having more conversations about equity, engaging with the topic in a variety of ways, from human resources management to parks planning. However, there are other planning areas that have not clearly addressed equity. When we think of transportation planning, we often inherently think of it through an equity lens, but we don’t convey this or clearly identify equity in our transportation planning. Going forward, we will need to clearly link equity and transportation to evaluate if we are achieving equitable outcomes in our transportation planning. This episode sheds light on the topic and explores the connection between transportation planning and planning for equity.

Agencies, local governments, and community groups frequently face challenges in their work due to limited resources. They may not be able to start/finish projects because of insufficient staff time, funds, or priorities. In these situations, academic institutions can be a great resource to build capacity and support good planning practices. Local schools, colleges, and universities provide a connection between students and communities. In this episode, we explore two of these programs, the Resilient Communities Project (RCP) at the University of Minnesota and Sustainable Communities Partnership (SCP) at the University of St. Thomas.

Environmental Justice is a topic that appears more in conversations. While it may seem that Environmental Justice is specifically about natural environment, the topic encompasses all physical and social attributes of the built environment. In this episode, Karen Monahan from the Sierra Club North Star Chapter, talks about what it means and how it can be incorporated into city planning. 

Historic Preservation is a topic that more and more communities are including in their planning efforts. But what is Historic Preservation and what does planning for it mean? In this episode, John Smoley from the City of Minneapolis explains this concept, ways to include it in the comprehensive planning process, and resources that are available for communities.