Cities 07

Tomorrow belongs to residents of Minneapolis and St. Paul claiming fame to both cities. Currently the Twin Cities act more like rivaling cousins’ rather then functional interactive cities. According to Wheeler’s theories for urban vitality the Twin Cities would be more sustainable by practicing stronger relations. The obvious rivalry between Minneapolis and St. Paul may one day dissipate if there was additional public transportation to unite the competitive cities. Increased mobility to and from the Minneapolis/St. Paul area would free residents to be more mobile and actually support the idea that the Twin Cities are in fact identical.

Ask anyone in the metro area which side of the river they’re from and immediately you’ll hear a patriotic answer. I’m not suggesting one is better then the other, rather reiterating that the cities do not mirror each other in terms of urban development priorities. Some may argue that the Minneapolis pulse is geared towards entertainment, trendy hotels and the arts scene. Across the river scholarly St. Paul residents have the fortune to access more reputable Universities or the larger blue collar population can unwind at dozens of neighborhood pubs. Minneapolis and St. Paul may mirror each other in terms of metropolitan offerings however; the river the divides this urban crowd does not reflect the overall ideologies’ of both parties. There’s a growing imbalance of social infrastructures which could easily be repaired by simply allowing both cities to be more transient. Enhanced public transportation methods, such as utilizing the light rail or adding city buses on safer routes between the two cities could greatly liberate residents on both sides of the sea…I mean river. Additional public transportation to connect both communities would stop the growing competitive isolation in both cities and abide to Wheeler’s theory of a sustainable urban environment.

“…development that improves the long-term social and ecological health of cities and towns.” (491)

Improved public transportation abides to the majority of Wheelers seven specific theories for an enriched sustainable city; efficient land use, less automobile use, less pollution, better living environment, healthier social ecology, and sustainable economics.

“Urban growth boundaries need to be coupled with policies to increase the efficiency of land use within already built up areas.” (491)

One very resourceful way to respect urban land use is to provide adequate public transportation to the public. Currently the Minneapolis/St. Paul is doing an excellent job at this however there’s room for improvement. Take the MTC bus line; the routes carry urbanites to and for work easily into the downtown district. But to cross the river via bus you better cross you fingers as you head on a cultural adventure down dodgy Lake St. or University Ave. Again, I’m not entirely familiar with all the bus routes in both cities; this has just been my experience with buses going to and from Mpls/St. Paul. Safer bus routes could attract a new bus audience without disrupting urban space. This would ultimately lead to less automobile use.

“Congestion problems can be solved and quality of life improved without building new roads or other infrastructures.” (492)

Giving pedestrians more mobile power through added bus routes or the light rail would inevitably lead to less city air pollution due to fewer automobiles on the road.

“Promoting a healthy and sustainable social ecology means looking for every opportunity to enhance human community.” (493)

Stronger gateways within the metro area would free residents to invest in both markets and therefore claim ownership to both sides of the river. Increased mobility between Minneapolis and St. Paul would aid to a more sustainable economy emphasis would be placed on one local economy versus two foreign communities.

*after researching information towards my final paper, I discover that a "rush line communte" track via light rail is in the near future.