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Role: Support of Connected, Livable Communities

Tools and strategies that encourage and support sustainable, connected communities to reduce the region's carbon footprint, encourage less driving, and reduce long-term maintenance and energy costs.

Click on the policies below to learn more about ways to implement this strategy.



Calculate Housing & Transportation Costs

Light Rail
Explore various housing and transportation choices and the financial impacts of living closer or further from work to understand the true affordability of location choices.





Link Transportation Policies and Land Use

Nicollet Mall
Every community, neighborhood, and site is different, and both development and transportation should respond to the unique characteristics and opportunities of each location. Integrating land use and transportation policies are key to providing successful housing and achieving more livable communities.

Promote Sustainable Development Patterns

Spouting Frog
Increased energy use of low-density development patterns contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. More compact development, redevelopment and increased public transportation options supports housing and environmental goals.



Support Active
and
Healthy Living
Housing Picture
Housing located and designed to support active living provides opportunities for residents to make healthy choices and enhances community livability.


GreenStep Cities: Best Practices to Achieve Sustainability Goals
Greenstep
Help cities achieve their sustainability goals through implementation of 28 best practices.



Photo credits (left to right): Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis MN -- courtesy of the Metropolitan Council of Shoppers; Heart of the City, Burnsville MN -- courtesy of Joe Urban, Inc; Photo Credit: Copyright Regents of the University of Minnesota. Used with the permission of the Metropolitan Design Center.