2020-2021 RCP Partnerships

During the 2020–2021 academic year, RCP partnered with Little Canada, Victoria, Saint Paul, Minnetonka, Woodbury, the Carver County Water Management Organization, Carver County Transportation, the Metropolitan Council, CapitolRiver District Council (St. Paul), and the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association (MSFCA) on 11 projects that advanced community sustainability, equity, and resilience. You can learn more about the projects below.

Does your local government agency have a project idea to build community resilience that could benefit from research or technical assistance from the University of Minnesota? It's not too late to apply for an RCP Partnership!

 

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Little Canada: Developing the Pioneer Park Master Plan

Sign for Pioneer Park in Little Canada, MN

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

Fire Station in Victoria, MN

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)

Saint Paul: Maximizing Employment Assets—Connecting the Workforce with Job-Rich Sectors

An inudstrial worker wearing protective gear works on his trade

Project Goal: To identify traditional and emerging economic sectors that Saint Paul should target for growth and recruitment in order to maximize well‐paid jobs for Saint Paul residents and inform strategies for establishing strong connections between Saint Paul employers and residents. (Project Brief)

Partner: City of Saint Paul (with matching funds provided by the Metropolitan Council)

Project Lead: Michael Richardson, Senior City Planner, City of Saint Paul, Department of Planning and Economic Development

PA 5041 Qualitative Methods for Policy Analysts: Fall 2020 | Final Report | Final Presentation (video)

Minnetonka: Planning for Land Use & Economic Development Post-COVID-19

Image of a man working with multiple papers at a table with "Planning for Post-COVID" printed over the image

Project Goal: To identify land use, zoning ordinance, and economic development changes the City should consider changing to effectively plan for a future pandemic. (Project Brief)

Partner: City of Minnetonka (with matching funds provided by the Metropolitan Council)

Project Lead: Drew Ingvalson, Planner, City of Minnetonka

PA 5041 Qualitative Methods for Policy Analysts: Fall 2020 | Final Report | Final Presentation (video)

PA 8081 Planning & Public Affairs Capstone: Spring 2021 Final Report | Final Presentation (video)

Woodbury: Enhancing the Urban Tree Canopy

Aerial view of houses and trees in Woodbury

Project Goal: To equitably increase the tree canopy coverage, update the approved tree species list, and help educate and engage residents on the importance of trees to promote environmental stewardship. (Project Brief)

Partner: City of Woodbury (with matching funds provided by the Metropolitan Council)

Project Lead: Kristin Seaman, Environmental Resources Specialist, City of Woodbury

PA 8081 Public Participation Capstone: Spring 2021 Final Report | Final Presentation (video)

FNRM 4501 / 5501 Urban Forest Management: Managing Greenspaces for People: Spring 2021 Final Report | Final Presentation (video)

Carver County WMO: Best Management Practices for Storm Water Reuse Irrigation Systems

Aerial view of land and irrigation system associated with the land

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)

Carver County: Identifying Future Transit Needs

A biker loads his bike onto the front of a city bus

Project Goal: To determine the current unmet transit needs and demands and to predict transit needs of the future based on the growth, demographic shifts and commuting changes faced by the County. (Project Brief)

Partner: Carver County (with matching funds provided by the Metropolitan Council)

Project Lead: Adriana Atcheson, Planner, Carver County Planning & Water Management

PA 5311 Program Evaluation: Fall 2020 | Final Report | Final Presentation (video)

ISyE Senior Design Project: Spring 2021 | Final Report | Final Presentation (video)

Metropolitan Council: Surface with Purpose—Developing a Climate Adaptation & Resilience Tool

Close up of solar panels on a roof

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

A neon green stick figure running to the right with "Wayfinding" written above him

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

A child hugs an adult in front of an ambulance

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)