Minnesota

Canadian flag in foreground with blurred Canadian Parliament building in background in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Has President Trump Met His Match?

Doug Ford, the no-nonsense premier of Canada's most populous province, Ontario, is taking on Trump where it hurts — making American energy more expensive.

March 11, 2025 - Toronto Star

Minneapolis, Minnesota skyline with river and bridge in foreground.

Looking Back on 60 Years of Land Development in the Twin Cities

In 1960, about 12 percent of the Twin Cities metro's land was already developed. By 2020, about 34 percent had been developed. Many factors influenced how the region has changed since 1960.

January 12, 2025 - Metropolitan Council: Metro Update

Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota skylinw with stone arched brige in foreground.

Minneapolis Awards Affordable Housing Funds

The city awarded over $17 million to affordable housing construction and rehabilitation projects.

December 11, 2024 - City of Minneapolis

20 MPH speed limit sign

Reducing Driving Speeds Requires More Than Lowering Posted Speed Limits

Without additional changes to roadway design, lower speed limits only slightly reduce driving speeds.

November 7, 2024 - The Minnesota Star Tribune

Red Amtrak Borealis train in St. Paul Union Station depot.

Amtrak Borealis Line Celebrates 100,000 Passengers

The St. Paul-to-Chicago train served more than 22,000 passengers in August.

October 28, 2024 - Minneapolis Star-Tribune

View of light traffic on Interstate 94 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Minneapolis Leaders Urge State DOT to Rethink Highway Expansion Plans

Current MnDOT plans call for widening Interstate 94, but city leaders from Minneapolis and St. Paul want to see more space for public transit, walking, and biking.

September 25, 2024 - Sahan Journal

Sign on glass building for Minneapolis International Airport with airplane landing reflected in building.

Minneapolis Airport Expansion Uses Geothermal Heating and Water Conservation Methods to Reduce Impact

The improved facilities are expected to reduce their total energy use by 19 percent.

September 20, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Evening view of downtown St. Paul, Minnesota across Mississippi River.

Officials Kill St. Paul Streetcar, BRT Proposals

The proposed transit lines would have linked the St. Paul airport, downtown, and the Mall of America.

September 10, 2024 - Yahoo News

Outdoor train platform for light rail train in Minneapolis, Minnesota with passenger walking toward blue and yellow train.

Transit Crime Down in NYC, Minneapolis

The two cities launched targeted efforts to improve security and offer supportive services to transit users.

August 16, 2024 - Cities Today

Amtrak Borealis train passing by green forest in Hastings, Minnesota.

New Chicago-to-St. Paul Amtrak Line Makes Profit in First Months

The Borealis line provided more than 18,500 rides since its first trips in May.

July 11, 2024 - Star Tribune

View from 35th floor of building of freeway in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Minnesota Law Calls for Climate Impact Assessment for Highway Projects

The state’s department of transportation will have to consider potential greenhouse gas emissions and alter projects that don’t meet emissions reduction targets.

July 1, 2024 - Star Tribune

Aerial view of Rapidan Dam failure in June 2024.

Minnesota Dam Failure Highlights Nationwide Danger

The Rapidan Dam isn’t the only one at risk of imminent failure.

June 27, 2024 - The Washington Post

Amtrak train at Union Station with Chicago skyline in background.

St. Paul-to-Chicago Borealis Rail Line Launches

The Amtrak service, 12 years in the making, doubles the number of available trips on the corridor.

June 13, 2024 - Route Fifty

Line of cars at a McDonald's drive-thru at night.

St. Paul Considers Drive-Thru Restrictions

Limiting drive-thrus can make streets more dangerous for pedestrians and snarl traffic.

June 12, 2024 - Axios

3D rendering of blue flying car over a cityscape and buildings, a river, and bridges in the background.

Minnesota Legalizes Flying Cars

A new Minnesota law outlines state registration of “roadable aircraft” and legalizes their use on state roads and highways.

May 28, 2024 - The U.S. Sun

Clpse=up of Uber and Lyft stickers inside a car windshield.

Minnesota Lawmakers Reach Ride Share Compromise

A law awaiting the governor’s signature establishes wage rates for drivers. Ride share companies say if the law passes, they plan to continue service in the state.

May 22, 2024 - Minnesota House of Representatives

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minneapolis 2040 Plan Could Proceed Under New Law

A state law awaiting the governor’s signature could exempt comprehensive plans from environmental review, freeing the plan from recent lawsuits.

May 21, 2024 - Minnesota Reformer

Row of six cyclists riding down asphalt road with large trees on side.

Twin Cities Suburbs Look to Improve Bike Facilities

Communities around Minneapolis and St. Paul are working to build more robust bike infrastructure networks.

May 13, 2024 - Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Sunset view of downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota skyline.

Minneapolis as a Model for Housing Affordability

Through a combination of policies, the city has managed to limit the severity of the nationwide housing crisis.

April 24, 2024 - Brown Political Review

Yellow and silver Metro Transit light rail train pulling into outdoor station in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Twin Cities Trains Move to Fewer Cars, Higher Frequency

Headways will drop from 15 minutes to 12 minutes.

April 16, 2024 - Axios

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.