What's our deal with density?

Fighting climate change

Dense development can help slow climate change, one of the most urgent crises our world is facing. Concentrating housing, jobs and amenities near each other reduces the need for residents to drive long distances. Not only is less travel necessary, but it's easier and less costly to provide alternatives to driving such as public transit and bike infrastructure. 

Dense housing can also be more energy-efficient as homes tend to be smaller and may be concentrated in multifamily buildings. Plus, adding dense housing decreases pressure on the market, potentially making housing more affordable and reducing incentives for suburbs to sprawl into natural areas. We're seeing development pressure threaten rare landscapes because the Twin Cities (like much of the nation) is facing a massive housing shortage and homes must be built somewhere. Naturally, dense development tends to require taller building heights. Taller buildings can include more housing units and reduce per-unit development costs. These tall buildings are appropriate in many areas of our community, including along parts of the Mississippi River. The Twin Cities' riverfront has tremendously diverse development patterns ranging from the Minneapolis and St. Paul downtowns to neighborhoods with single-family homes on large lots. 

We've supported dense development in many places, including the Ford Motor Company plant redevelopment in St. Paul and both Twin Cities' downtowns. We've also supported controversial measures like Minneapolis' 2040 comprehensive plan, which called for greater density across the city. But while density is critical, it should not be the sole consideration when evaluating a proposed development project.

Welcoming and scenic riverfronts

Design matters in every neighborhood. Good urban form is especially important along the Mississippi, one of the world's great rivers. Our riverfront is such an asset and comprises such a tiny percentage of our community's land that it deserves special consideration.

There are many aspects of good riverfront design. In areas where public walking and biking trails are right next to the river, the surrounding development should support a welcoming visitor experience.

Building size is one of many considerations that can affect how it feels to be near the river. Other important considerations include structure design, building materials, landscaping and whether the development includes amenities that encourage public interaction with the site (such as art, public-serving businesses or walking paths and benches).

FMR also evaluates the impact that proposed projects have on the most scenic sections of the river. For instance, the river gorge through Minneapolis and St. Paul (the only gorge on the entire Mississippi) is a tremendous scenic resource. The river's beauty has drawn people to this area for thousands of years.

In places along the gorge, it's still possible to look out over the river and see almost no human-made development. The views are dominated by the water, trees, bluffs and soaring birds. The viewer is able to gain a sense of their place in the landscape...literally a sense of place that is unique and special.

I love feeling lost in nature even in the middle of the city. It's a rare experience and one we are committed to preserving for all residents. Well-managed building heights are a crucial aspect of that preservation. 

Encouraging further development

Well-managed building heights can also encourage additional river-oriented development by ensuring that the entire neighborhood is designed with the big picture in mind.

This is why the state's rules for development in the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA) require that taller building heights be tiered away from the river. The areas closest to the shoreline should have slightly shorter buildings so that buildings farther back can also enjoy river views, and so that riverfront visitors can see farther into the surrounding blocks.

This creates a sense of connection and relationship between the river and its surroundings. It also encourages more developers to orient their projects towards the river and increases the appeal of those buildings.

Achieving this takes a commitment from city leaders to consider the entire context of the riverfront when they assess development proposals to ensure that they preserve these opportunities for further development. Their goal should not be simply to build one structure, but to create and sustain entire neighborhoods.

Safe passage for migrating birds

There's one more element of dense development that can present a challenge: the risk of birds being killed in collisions with buildings. We believe this can be mitigated through science-based provisions that reduce harm to wildlife and promote safe passage for species with whom we share this land. 

The Mississippi River is a crucial migratory corridor for about 40% of all North American migrating birds. Roughly 270 bird species live in or travel through the Twin Cities river flyway.

Bird populations are experiencing significant collapse and are under continued threat. In the U.S. it’s estimated that 600 million birds are killed in window strikes each year. 

One way to balance urban density with wildlife protection is to require bird-friendly lighting design, building design and building materials (such as fritted glass) in all new development along the river.

Riverfront communities have the opportunity to add this requirement to their new MRCCA ordinances. Learn more about how to get involved in advocating for your community's MRCCA ordinance.

Balance is key

FMR takes all of these environmental and design elements into account when we evaluate development proposals. Yes, we support dense development — but we don't subscribe to the belief that building height trumps all other considerations.

A more comprehensive approach creates vibrant neighborhoods that interact with, protect and benefit from all that the Mississippi River has to offer us.