During the 2020–2021 academic year, RCP partnered with 10 cities, counties, and local-government–serving organizations on 11 projects through our Standard RCP Partnership and Comprehensive Plan Implementation Partnership options.
Does your local government agency have a project idea to build community resilience that could benefit from research or technical assistance? It's not too late to apply for an RCP Partnership!
Standard RCP Partnerships
RCP partnered with Little Canada, Victoria, the Carver County Water Management Organization, the Metropolitan Council, CapitolRiver District Council (St. Paul), and the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association (MSFCA) on seven projects to advance community sustainability, equity, and resilience. You can learn more about the projects below.
Little Canada: Developing the Pioneer Park Master Plan
Project Goal: Engage a broad and divers range of city residents to guide design, infrastructure, programming, and facilities for Pioneer Park (Project Brief)
Partner: City of Little Canada
Project Lead: Bryce Shearen, Community Service Manager, City of Little Canada Parks & Recreation
RCP Fellows Team: Summer 2020 | Final Report
RCP Fellows Team: Fall 2020 | Final Report
Victoria: Planning for a Future Fire Station
Project Goal: Identify a location for a second fire station in anticipation of future community growth (Project Brief)
Partner: City of Victoria
Project Lead: Andrew Heger, Fire Chief, City of Victoria Fire Department
RCP & HHH Internship: Summer 2020 | Final Report
IE 5561 Analytics & Data-Driven Decision Making: Fall 2020 | Final Report | Final Presentation (video)
Carver County WMO: Best Management Practices for Storm Water Reuse Irrigation Systems
Project Goal: Understand the infiltration capacity and irrigation rates for different types of vegetation to encourage a shift from turf grass to more sustainable native plants (Project Brief)
Partner: Carver County Water Management Organization
Project Lead: Tim Sundby, Water Resource Program Analyst, Carver County Planning and Water Management
HORT 4061W Turfgrass Management: Fall 2020 | Final Report | Final Presentation (video)
ESPM 3111/5111: Hydrology and Water Quality Field Methods: Spring 2021 Final Report | Final Presentation (video)
Metropolitan Council: Surface with Purpose—Developing a Climate Adaptation & Resilience Tool
Project Goal: To quantify the various qualitative benefits of green roof and BioSolar systems to assist communities in making more informed climate resilience investments (Project Brief)
Partner: Metropolitan Council
Project Lead: Cameran Bailey, Senior Planner, Metropolitan Council, Local Planning Assistance
SPH Culminating Experience: Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 Final Report | Final Presentation (video)
PA 8081 Planning & Public Affairs Capstone: Spring 2021 Final Report | Final Presentation (video)
CapitolRiver District Council: Identifying Opportunities to Improve Wayfinding in Downtown Saint Paul
Project Goal: To identify how wayfinding in Downtown Saint Paul can be enhanced in order to contribute to vibrant and connected communities, activated streetscapes, and economic recovery (Project Brief)
Partner: Capitol River District Council
Project Lead: Jon Fure, Executive Director, Capitol River District Council
PA 5211 Program Evaluation: Fall 2020 | Final Report | Final Presentation (video)
PA 8081 Program Evaluation Capstone: Spring 2021 Final Report | Final Presentation (video)
CapitolRiver District Council: Designing a Wayfinding System in Downtown Saint Paul
Project Goal: To create wayfinding design concepts in Downtown Saint Paul that can contribute to vibrant and connected communities, activated streetscapes, and economic recovery (Project Brief)
Partner: Capitol River District Council
Project Lead: Jon Fure, Executive Director, Capitol River District Council
DES 3331 Urban Street Life: Fall 2020 | Final Report | Final Presentation (video)
MN State Fire Chiefs Association: Improving Emergency Medical Services in Minnesota
Project Goal: To analyze policy in order to support policy changes to improve emergency medical services in Minnesota (Project Brief)
Partner: Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association (MSFCA)
Project Lead: BJ Jungmann, Legislative Chair, Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association
LAW 7606 Independent Research: Spring 2021 Final Report | Final Presentation (video)
PA 8081 Public Affairs Capstone: Summer 2021 Final Report | Final Presentation (video)
Comprehensive Plan Implementation Partnerships
Comprehensive Plan Implementation Partnerships
In collaboration with the Metropolitan Council, RCP partnered with Carver County and the Cities of Minnetonka, St. Paul, and Woodbury on four projects that seek to implement one or more elements of an adopted 2040 comprehensive plan.