Chip Halbach, Executive Director of Minnesota Housing Partnership (MHP) Housing security and affordability are some of the region’s most pressing concerns. While some point to the visible and high profile construction of new luxury and market rate units as a contributor to the problem, the phenomena of “upscaling and rebranding” of large apartment complexes can be..

Historic preservation is changing – are we ready for it? Building materials, construction technology, and design philosophy changed dramatically in the post war period. As these buildings and construction methods merge into our historic lexicon, we are confronted with new challenges for adaptive reuse, retrofit, understanding historic significance, and heritage preservation. This “Top Ten” list..

** Please note location change ** Jeremy Kalin, Founder and CEO of Eutectics and David FitzSimmons, Chief of Staff for the Office of Congressman Tom Emmer  In our previous discussion, we learned about efforts to bridge the city mouse/country mouse divide. In this session, we will listen to stories from two former legislators who have lived that divide..

Dane Smith, President of Growth & Justice and Matt Schmit, Policy & Projects Director of Growth & Justice Why is it so darn hard to have a civil discussion with someone who is not of like minds?  When did different opinions become opposing opinions. And why are common interests between rural initiatives and urban initiatives so elusive..

Frank Douma, Director of State and Local Policy Program, Humphrey School of Public Affairs and Kory Anderson, Graduate Student/Research Assistant, Urban and Regional Planning Program, Humphrey School of Public Affairs What was little more than a scene in a science fiction movie 10 years ago, the reality of self-driving cars is approaching quickly. We know very little..

Please join us in celebrating Urban Currents’ 18th Anniversary with a special panel discussion in collaboration with the Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association. January 25, 2017    ·    5:30 – 7:30pm    ·    Cuningham Group’s Minneapolis Office As neighborhoods change, what happens to their identities? From Nordeast to Southeast, from Eat Street to Downtown East,..

You love your city. You enjoy open, engaging, and provocative conversations on a wide variety of topics. You would love a place that encourages thoughtful conversation among community members who work to improve the quality of life in the Twin Cities. Cuningham Group aims to uplift the human experience through storytelling, active listening, creativity, collaboration, innovation, and designing beautiful places. Part of..

Aaron Dysart, City Artist, Public Art Saint Paul and Amanda Lovelee, City Artist, Public Art Saint Paul Since 2005, Public Art Saint Paul has been supporting the City Artist Program with the City of Saint Paul.  By planting artists in an upstream role, the artist-in-residence has been opening our minds to the possibilities of what a..

 Max Musicant, Founder and “Chair-man”, The Musicant Group. How a process-driven approach to creating place is building community and boosting commercial activity in the Twin Cities and beyond. What do a bus stop, a block party, and an office building atrium have in common? How can we, as a society, simultaneously create economic prosperity and equitable communities?..

Brett Emmons, Founding Principal, Emmons & Olivier Resources, Inc. and Tom Link, Community Development Director, City of Inver Grove Heights As a vanguard approach to storm water management, the City of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota worked alongside stakeholders, consultants, and city officials to incorporate a system that allowed for greater environmental benefits, greater system functionality,..

Seth Nusselhuf, Quality Bike Products and Jason Lardy, MN Cycling Center  It has been said that Houston is run by big oil, New York by big banks, and Minneapolis by big bike.  While said in jest, there is some truth to the Twin Cities being a well-developed bike community with strong ties to business and..

Laura Kling, Community Organizer, Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition; Organizer, Grease Rag; Anthony Taylor, Co-Founder, Major Taylor Bicycling Club of Minnesota; Stephanie Weir, Program Manager, St. Paul Women on Bikes; and Monica Bryand, Special Projects Manager, Cycles for Change As bicycling has grown in popularity among both recreational riders and commuters, the perception of urban bicycling has shifted for many from..