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Minneapolis Advances Stricter Data Center Zoning; NYC Fast-Tracks Affordable Housing
On October 13, 2026, the Minneapolis City Planning Commission advanced a proposal for the city's first specific zoning regulations for modern data centers, aiming to restrict their operations and limit their size. A significant amendment would reduce the maximum "white space" for computer servers by 71%, from an originally proposed 175,000 square feet to 50,000 square feet, directly addressing public concerns about environmental impact.
Separately, on October 15, 2026, Chengdu, China, hosted the Sixth Park City Forum, highlighting its unique urban planning strategy that integrates the entire ecosystem as core urban infrastructure. Since 2018, Chengdu has developed over 1,500 parks and a 10,000-kilometer Tianfu Greenway system, linking natural and urban areas for sustainable growth.
The Bottom Line
Urban planning is rapidly adapting to address critical contemporary challenges, from implementing stricter environmental controls on high-impact developments to accelerating affordable housing initiatives and embracing ecological integration for sustainable urban futures.
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