Metropolitan Council

New Bus Rapid Transit Route Breaks Ground in the Twin Cities
The Twin Cities are on a mission to become the bus rapid transit capital of the United States. The latest improvement to advance that ambition broke ground earlier this week.

Minneapolis LRT Facing Delays, Cost Increases
Construction on the Kenilworth Tunnel has been plagued by problems and threatens the foundation of a nearby condo complex.

Twin Cities Climate Vulnerability: Extreme Heat
State climatologists are highly confident that heat waves are likely to trend upwards in future summers in Minnesota. To address extreme heat, researchers are identifying the factors that exacerbate extreme heat.

Overnight Light-Rail Service on the Chopping Block Between the Twin Cities
Since 2014, it's been possible to catch a train every hour between 2 am and 4 am on the Green Line connecting Minneapolis and St. Paul. A proposal under consideration at Metro Transit would end late night service,

Minneapolis Plan Could Finally Complete Grand Rounds Trail Extension
Linking up the last part of the Grand Rounds trail would create a continuous pedestrian and biking loop around the city.

Downtown St. Paul Loop Back in the Gold Line BRT Plan
A two-mile loop to be included in the planned Gold Line bus rapid transit route had been at risk due to political opposition. Now it's included in the preferred alternative presented for federal funding.

Tardy Transit Funding Arrives in Los Angeles, Twin Cities
They had to wait the better part of a year, but two major transit projects finally have the funding Congress allocated in March.

Contractors in Limbo While Southwest LRT Waits for Federal Funding Promise
More evidence that the Federal Transit Administration under the Trump Administration isn't interested in capital investments.

Volunteer Your Travel Data for Science
The Metropolitan Council regional planning organization is looking for better data on how people move around the Twin Cities.

City Planning Criticism at a Critical Point in Minneapolis History
A columnist presents criticisms and recommendations for both sides of the density debate as Minneapolis considers a new comprehensive plan.
Costs for Minnesota's Southwest Corridor Light Rail Line Creeping Up
Increasing costs mean local agencies need to dig in their heels if they expect to receive funding from the federal government.

Density Battles in Affluent Suburbs
The city of Edina, Minnesota, provides an example of the suburban reaction to a wave of multi-family residential construction.
Explained: Keys to Affordability in Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances
Zoning ordinances are one of the most powerful ways local governments regulate development, and they should work to implement the policies in a Comprehensive Plan Update.
PlanIt Podcast: Environmental Justice
The latest episode of the 2017 PlanIt Training Program on Comprehensive Plan Updates by the Metropolitan Council, a regional planning agency in the Twin Cities area.

Barrier Wall Could Delay Southwest Light Rail in Twin Cities
A proposed 1.4 mile safety barrier may require additional review, and could further delay the project

Riverview Corridor Streetcar Passes Major Hurdle, Still a Long Way Off in the Twin Cities
An oversight committee has approved the Locally Preferred Alternative for the Review Corridor Streetcar project that will connect Downtown St. Paul to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

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.

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.

Twin Cities Suburbs on an Anti-Bus Crusade
Residents of suburbs located east of St. Paul in Minnesota have coalesced to oppose the Gateway Corridor Gold Line project, which would connect 12 stops along a bus rapid transit line.
Poverty Shifts to the Twin Cities Suburbs
A recent report finds that more people are living in poverty in suburban areas than in the more urban areas of the Twin Cities region.
Pagination
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.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research