The Inner Core of Retention _ Minneapolis

As Minneapolis enters the new chapter of development to accommodate the current and future population growth and housing needs increase, the new vision for 2040 continues to accommodate more infrastructure, especially housing units, with a change in zoning and built forms. This project, the Inner Core of Retention, seeks to assist the above vision by suggesting new opportunities for the existing residential cores equipped with a network of empty traffic alleys to transform into impactful public and amenity spaces through zoning changes and residents’ participation. The Inner Core of Retention provides initial tool kit options for two piloting neighborhoods, Shingle Creek (a residential neighborhood) and Midtown Phillips (a residential neighborhood with a commercial corridor), tackling the needs for healthy food access, meaningful public activities and services, additional exercise options, sharing of culture and art, and spaces for remote work and self-study. The recommended structures will efficiently use the interior of urban blocks to facilitate and encourage collaboration among programs with different goals: financial incomes (like a coffee shop), shared activities (like a teaching kitchen), balanced individual and communal benefits (like a market garden), or public spaces (a communal BBQ area for example) with the help of additional zoning regulations.