PlanIt

By Metropolitan Council

What's PlanIt about?

The PlanIt Podcast is the new part of the 2017 PlanIt Training Program on Comprehensive Plan Updates. This series will feature monthly episodes on a variety of topics that are not required elements of a comprehensive plan through conversations with planning experts and professionals outside of the Metropolitan Council.

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PlanIt episodes:

08.12.2022
Episode 46: Youth in Parks
Youth play a crucial role in envisioning and realizing our future communities, but are often left out of the planning process. In this month’s episode we speak with Darcie Vandegrift, a Principal Researcher at the Metropolitan Council, about her research...
05.10.2022
Episode 45: Gentrification
Gentrification has impacted many people living in cities as under-invested neighborhoods have been transformed into higher wealth areas. As the cost of living increases, gentrification often leads to the displacement of longtime residents who can no longer afford to live...
04.06.2022
Episode 44: ReConnect Rondo
Planning decisions and policies can have devastating consequences on the social environment and disproportionately impact communities of color. An example in recent history is the construction of I-94 through the thriving African American Rondo neighborhood in the City of St....
03.08.2022
Episode 43: Placemaking - Panoway
Planners are always working on ideas to activate public spaces and bring more residents together. Utilizing these areas not only creates spaces where people want to be, but also is a strong economic development tool for local communities. One such...
02.09.2022
Episode 42: Census 2020
Data gathered through Census is used to inform planning processes at many levels. The new data for 2020 Census was released by the U.S. Census Bureau in August 2021. But what were the changes in the 2020 Census and how...
01.20.2022
Episode 41: GHG Emissions Inventory and Scenario Planning Tool
Nowadays, the effects of a changing climate are apparent in every aspect of our lives. The uncertainties created by climate change make long-term planning for future investments difficult. As such, ongoing efforts are trying to find a way to better...
12.15.2021
Episode 40: Solar for Vouchers
The Metropolitan Council's Solar for Vouchers Program provides technical assistance to help multifamily rental property owners install solar panels and reduce their energy costs. Property owners can take advantage of these savings in exchange for a commitment to rent...
11.19.2021
Episode 39: A Discussion of Parking
All communities have to deal with parking requirements. These requirements can at times impose tremendous limitations on developments. Considering the wide impact that parking requirements can have on future of development, many communities have undertaken efforts to reform them. Additionally,...
10.08.2021
Episode 38: COVID and Parks Planning
When the COVID-19 pandemic confined us to our homes, people found refuge and community in the region's parks, trails, and open spaces. The significant increase in park users challenged planners to find creative solutions to expand the capacity of these...
10.08.2021
Episode 37: Healthy Community Planning Project
More and more communities have been considering health in their long-range planning and policy discussions. Many have incorporated health in their 2040 comprehensive plans. Staff from the Public Health Law Center, Minnesota Department of Health, and the Metropolitan Council worked...
06.08.2021
Episode 36: RCP Enhancing Woodbury's Urban Tree Canopy
The Metropolitan Council has partnered with the Resilient Communities Project (RCP) to provide support for communities implementing their 2040 comprehensive plans. One of the projects that RCP and the students worked on in the 2020-21 academic year was "Enhancing Woodbury's...
05.06.2021
Episode 35: Equity Considerations Dataset
The Metropolitan Council Research team has put together a dataset to provide equity-relevant characteristics for all census tracts in the Twin Cities Region. You may have heard of and worked with Areas of Concentrated Poverty (ACP). The new Equity Considerations...
04.05.2021
Episode 34: Local Economic Solutions to a Global Pandemic
In 2020 we experienced an unprecedented pandemic ; we witnessed businesses, schools, and offices close; many of us started working from home; we adopted rigorous health and safety guidelines; and we didn't visit our families and friends. Our Cities suffered...
03.10.2021
Episode 33: Local Implementation of Equity Policies
Many communities have started to consider to address equity policies in their long-range plans, as well as implementation actions. However, resources about how to start these conversations, identify actionable policies, and continue the effort at the local level are hard...
02.08.2021
Episode 32: Sustainable Design – Elizabeth Turner
Planners regularly work and interact with architects as part of development proposals, variances, and approvals. However, planners are less aware of how architects arrive at the design concept they bring to the table. What considerations matter more in the process,...
10.23.2020
Episode 31: Energy Policy – Katie Jones
You may have heard the term 'energy policy,' but what does that really mean? What are the energy trends that we see in our communities, and what resources are available to create and implement energy policies? The Center for Energy...
09.11.2020
Episode 30: Highway Planning – Melissa Barnes, Molly McCartney, Brad Utecht
How are highways and highway improvements planned? What agencies are involved in ensuring that the region’s transportation system is operating smoothly? What is the process from envisioning a highway project to implementing that change? These are some of the questions that...
02.21.2020
Episode 29: UN Climate Conference (COP25) – Sarah Goodspeed & Eric Wojchik
What happens at the United Nations Climate Conference every year, and why do these international negotiations matter for Minnesota? What can Minnesotans contribute to and learn from this international conference? We asked these and other questions to Climate Generation’s...
12.26.2019
Episode 28: Economic Development in Kenya – Hamed Ehsani
Following Episode 26 of our podcast about planning in Scotland, we continued exploring planning topics in another part of the world. In this episode we had a conversation about economic development and private investments in Nairobi, Kenya; specifically the Village...
09.24.2019
Episode 27: Equitable Economic Growth – Tawanna Black
As the population of the Twin Cities metro area grows, the economy has become more prosperous. However, the impacts and positive outcomes of the growth in the economy are not distributed equitably in the region. Some geographic areas or populations...
09.24.2019
Episode 26: Planning in Scotland – Alan Brown
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...
07.02.2019
Episode 25: Inflow and Infiltration (I/I) - Marcus Bush
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...
06.03.2019
Episode 24: Arterial BRT – Katie Roth
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...
04.09.2019
Episode 23: Environmental Reviews - Kristin Mroz
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...
02.14.2019
Episode 22: Renewable Resources - Brian Ross
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...
01.08.2019
Episode 21: Climate Vulnerability Assessment (CVA) – Eric Wojchik
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...
12.06.2018
Episode 20: Shoreland and Floodplain Planning – Matt Bauman
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....
11.01.2018
Episode 19: Open and Standardized GIS Data - Geoff Maas
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...
10.05.2018
Episode 18: Value and Future of Planning - Lyle Wray
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...
09.07.2018
Episode 17.5: Subscribe to Us!
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 [email protected]. Stay tuned for the next episode!
08.03.2018
Episode 17: Economic Development – Dave Gontarek & Nora Riemenschneider
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...
07.05.2018
Episode 16: Green Zones - Kelly Muellman
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...
06.08.2018
Episode 15: Housing Finance - James Lehnhoff
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...
04.25.2018
Episode 14: Relationship between Developers and Cities - Peter Brown
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...
04.04.2018
Episode 13: Value of Neighborhood Groups in Planning - Tabitha Montgomery & Lisa Barajas
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...
03.05.2018
Episode 12: Placemaking and Community Engagement - Max Musicant
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...
02.05.2018
Episode 11: Equity in Transportation - Heidi Schallberg
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...
01.31.2018
Episode 10: Partnering with Colleges & Universities - Mike Greco & Maria Dahmus
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...
12.05.2017
Episode 9: Environmental Justice - Karen Monahan
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...
10.04.2017
Episode 8: Historic Preservation - John Smoley
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...
09.08.2017
Episode 7: Equity in Everyday Planning - Gordon Goodwin
Equity is a popular topic of discussion, but how can planning organizations address that within their structure? What are some actions that they can take to include equity in everyday operations? Gordon Goodwin from the Government Alliance on Race and...
09.08.2017
Episode 6: Redevelopment - Martha Faust
Any community, regardless of its size, has to plan for redevelopment projects at some point. In this episode, we will take a quick look at the process of identifying sites, gathering resources, and facing challenges of redevelopment with Martha Faust...
07.05.2017
Episode 5: Water Resources Management and Watersheds - Jen Kader
There are many ways to think about water and how it interacts with other elements of your comprehensive plan. In this episode, we hear from Jen Kader from Freshwater Society, about different ways to address water in the plan, working...
06.06.2017
Episode 4: Arts in Planning - Roger Cummings
Arts play a significant role in bringing the community together, creating a sense of place, and exemplifying well designed, successful placemaking. In this episode, we’ll explore ways planners can incorporate arts in planning processes, with Roger Cummings, one of the...
06.06.2017
Episode 3: Neighborhood and Small Area Planning - Julie Farnham & Jason Zimmerman
Learn about the benefits, challenges, and best practices of developing and implementing small area plans from the cities of Bloomington and Golden Valley. Find out how your community can utilize this approach to focus planning efforts on specific geographies.
05.03.2017
Episode 2: Engaging Youth - Corrin Wendell
Youth make up a significant portion of our communities and therefore engaging them in planning processes is essential. In this episode, Corrin Wendell, Senior Planner at the Metropolitan Council and founder and executive director of YEP!, a non-profit dedicated...
04.04.2017
Episode 1: The Value of Bike and Ped Counts - Greg Lindsey
In this episode professor Greg Lindsey from the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs discusses why and how bike/ped count projects are done, and how to use this information in your local planning process.
03.03.2017
Episode 0: Introduction - Welcome to PlanIt!
Welcome to the PlanIt podcast series! Discover new planning topics monthly.

What's PlanIt about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

PlanIt episodes:

Episode 46: Youth in Parks

Episode 45: Gentrification

Episode 44: ReConnect Rondo

Episode 43: Placemaking - Panoway

Episode 42: Census 2020

Episode 41: GHG Emissions Inventory and Scenario Planning Tool

Episode 40: Solar for Vouchers

Episode 39: A Discussion of Parking

Episode 38: COVID and Parks Planning

Episode 37: Healthy Community Planning Project

Episode 36: RCP Enhancing Woodbury's Urban Tree Canopy

Episode 35: Equity Considerations Dataset

Episode 34: Local Economic Solutions to a Global Pandemic

Episode 33: Local Implementation of Equity Policies

Episode 32: Sustainable Design – Elizabeth Turner

Episode 31: Energy Policy – Katie Jones

Episode 30: Highway Planning – Melissa Barnes, Molly McCartney, Brad Utecht

Episode 29: UN Climate Conference (COP25) – Sarah Goodspeed & Eric Wojchik

Episode 28: Economic Development in Kenya – Hamed Ehsani

Episode 27: Equitable Economic Growth – Tawanna Black

Episode 26: Planning in Scotland – Alan Brown

Episode 25: Inflow and Infiltration (I/I) - Marcus Bush

Episode 24: Arterial BRT – Katie Roth

Episode 23: Environmental Reviews - Kristin Mroz

Episode 22: Renewable Resources - Brian Ross

Episode 21: Climate Vulnerability Assessment (CVA) – Eric Wojchik

Episode 20: Shoreland and Floodplain Planning – Matt Bauman

Episode 19: Open and Standardized GIS Data - Geoff Maas

Episode 18: Value and Future of Planning - Lyle Wray

Episode 17.5: Subscribe to Us!

Episode 17: Economic Development – Dave Gontarek & Nora Riemenschneider

Episode 16: Green Zones - Kelly Muellman

Episode 15: Housing Finance - James Lehnhoff

Episode 14: Relationship between Developers and Cities - Peter Brown

Episode 13: Value of Neighborhood Groups in Planning - Tabitha Montgomery & Lisa Barajas

Episode 12: Placemaking and Community Engagement - Max Musicant

Episode 11: Equity in Transportation - Heidi Schallberg

Episode 10: Partnering with Colleges & Universities - Mike Greco & Maria Dahmus

Episode 9: Environmental Justice - Karen Monahan

Episode 8: Historic Preservation - John Smoley

Episode 7: Equity in Everyday Planning - Gordon Goodwin

Episode 6: Redevelopment - Martha Faust

Episode 5: Water Resources Management and Watersheds - Jen Kader

Episode 4: Arts in Planning - Roger Cummings

Episode 3: Neighborhood and Small Area Planning - Julie Farnham & Jason Zimmerman

Episode 2: Engaging Youth - Corrin Wendell

Episode 1: The Value of Bike and Ped Counts - Greg Lindsey

Episode 0: Introduction - Welcome to PlanIt!