Roper Weve got a surplus of cities. The metros toughest problems require a regional approach.

The Twin Cities region features over 140 cities and townships, resulting in a fragmented local government structure that complicates regional issues like housing and transportation. Experts, including Brookings Institution fellow Tracy Hadden Loh, emphasize the need for a cohesive approach to strengthen regional networks, as fragmented governance often leads to competition among cities. The Metropolitan Council, initially designed to facilitate collaboration, has lost political clout and requires reform to regain effectiveness. The 2010 book “Region: Planning for the Future of the Twin Cities” highlights the area's fifth-most fragmented local government among the top 50 U. S.

metro areas, contributing to scattered development patterns and fiscal inequality. Loh argues that concentrated development in existing activity centers benefits the entire region, making collaboration essential. Recent plans for new developments in cities like Blaine and Bloomington raise concerns about their alignment with a cohesive regional strategy. The case for regionalism becomes more pressing as local governments pursue individual interests at the expense of shared growth. Leaders must prioritize regional collaboration to address significant challenges effectively.