Columbus and Milwaukee are illustrating how innovative transit solutions can strengthen regional connectivity, expand access to opportunity, and serve as models for communities nationwide. Since 1992, MobiliSE has championed innovative ways to connect Southeast Wisconsin through a range of transportation alternatives. In Columbus, Ohio, the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) is reshaping regional mobility with initiatives like bus rapid transit expansion, first/last mile connections, and partnerships with community organizations.

Creating vibrant and engaging communities helps communities recruit and retain residents, supports public gathering places in the heart of our communities, and fosters community connections. Learn about the WEDC Vibrant Communities grant and how projects create accessible locations for programming and amenities desired by local residents, with the additional benefit of boosting foot traffic for nearby businesses.

Learn how food markets and food hubs provide economic and overall health benefits. Hear how managers are integrating activities to boost personal health while attracting customers. National research will illustrate the continuum of markets that exist, and how the food system is evolving with new/hybrid forms that do not always fit into simple zoning and planning categories. Examples of how to integrate and support markets in municipal zoning and planning can make integration in your community easier and more accepted.

The Milwaukee Priority One Transportation Initiative is a bold, collaborative effort to improve regional mobility, connect workers to jobs, and ensure equitable access to opportunity across Milwaukee. This initiative prioritizes innovative transit solutions—such as on-demand workforce services, improved public transit connections, and first/last mile strategies—to address the region’s most pressing transportation challenges. 

Local events play a powerful role in strengthening city economies, generating activity from day trips to overnight stays. This Innovative Cities Lecture highlights how two Wisconsin communities attract visitors, host more than 80 events annually, and measure both economic and community impact.

As data center development expands across Wisconsin and the Midwest, communities are increasingly being approached by developers seeking land, electricity, and water. While these projects can bring significant investment, they also raise complex questions related to zoning, infrastructure capacity, public finance, and environmental impacts. This Innovative Cities Lecture equips planners and local officials with the foundational knowledge needed before a data center proposal arrives

Communities of every size are facing mounting housing shortages—from overall supply constraints to the lack of affordable options. This Innovative Cities Lecture explores practical strategies for expanding housing availability through the experiences of a mid-sized Wisconsin city (La Crosse) and a small Minnesota community (Wabasha).