Duluth and Superior, The Twin Ports
This is a final presentation regarding field travel to the Duluth, Minnesota Area
Planning, Development, and Sustainability within Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin.
Planning within the cities of Duluth and Superior seemed to have many different challenges. One of the main challenges that Duluth faced is a housing crisis. This housing crisis is real and could be a potential problem in years to come. As we were talking with Tom Church it became clearly evident just how much or a possible issue housing can be for the city of Duluth. I found it very interesting that for many years the population of Duluth has mainly remained the same. With that comes many problems especially in regards to housing. I think there were many lessons that I learned that can be taken into the real world.
Understanding the lack of housing, the growing homelessness population, and the challenges of building on difficult terrain is crucial for addressing the complex issues surrounding planning. The lack of housing especially affordable housing is an important social issue that has far-reaching implications, from increased homelessness to the strain on public services. Learning about these challenges from those in the real-world helps to highlight the multifaceted nature of different problems. It also reveals how difficult terrain, complicates efforts to build new housing. Environmental challenges, such as climate change and limited natural resources, further worsen the situation, making it harder to find sustainable solutions that are both economically viable and environmentally responsible. This though has also been a problem in Duluth, as they are likely to see increases in population as it becomes more of a desirable destination because of warmer winters than usual.
From learning about these issues, we learn the importance of comprehensive, long-term planning in addressing housing needs. Innovative solutions, such as adaptive reuse of existing structures, green building practices, and infrastructure development, can be part of the answer. Understanding the environmental limitations and the social dynamics of homelessness pushes policymakers to think creatively and inclusively.
I learned through our time in Duluth, the need for collaboration among governmental agencies, planners, and community stakeholders to create solutions that look to overcome challenges, but ultimately to help those who we serve.
Learning about Duluth as a potential climate haven was both fascinating and enlightening, highlighting the city's environmental significance in the face of climate change. Duluth’s location, with its proximity to Lake Superior and its natural resources, offers a unique opportunity to mitigate some of the impacts of climate change, such as extreme heat and rising sea levels, making it an ideal region for future climate resilience. Although that is possible, Duluth is also losing a lot of their natural resources such as their white birch trees which is then making them lose their mammals, such as Moose. Although the warmer winters will possibly attract more people to this area, it is important to think about the loses of the environment that are already happening and will continue to happen.
What makes this even more important is the city's need to protect its valuable environmental assets, such as the trout streams that flow through its neighborhoods. These waterways not only support local biodiversity but also play a vital role in maintaining the area's ecological health and community well-being. Preserving these natural features is essential to ensuring that Duluth remains a livable, sustainable place for future generations, balancing growth with environmental protection. This taught me how to take this into the real world to think about how every decision that is made can directly impact the environment. It is going to help me remember in every job that I may have just how important the environment is.
The reason the Twin Ports were chosen this semester can be seen as important and relevant to planning because the area presents a rich context for exploring the intersection of urban planning, environmental sustainability, and social equity. These topics are highly relevant to us planning students. Duluth and Superior face challenges and opportunities that are representative of the broader trends in planning today. These include managing urban growth, addressing affordable housing, and balancing development with environmental protection, especially in the face of climate change. The region's unique geography, with its proximity to Lake Superior, abundant natural resources, and diverse urban-rural dynamics, offers a valuable case study for myself and others to be able to engage with real-world issues. By focusing on the Twin Ports, others and myself were able to learn how to look at and understand the complexities of sustainable urban development, land-use policies, and climate resilience.
Setting up meetings with environmental experts, local groups, and housing experts in Duluth provided myself and others with a well-rounded, hands-on understanding of the areas planning challenges and solutions. These experts and organizations are directly engaged with the key issues facing the Twin Ports. This included things such as preserving natural resources, addressing the housing crisis, and ensuring sustainable development. By connecting us with these professionals, it gave us firsthand insights into the complexities of balancing urban growth with environmental stewardship. These meetings offered us an opportunity to see how different disciplines, such as environmental science, urban planning, and social policy all collaborate to create solutions that address both immediate and long-term challenges in the region. Overall, this travel to the twin ports region was very insightful and influential. It was awesome as I learned a lot that I can take into my professional work in the future.
