Hackathon

Case Study & Outcomes

Summary

Hack the Gap hosted a 6-week hackathon in collaboration with Nordic City Solutions and Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce to produce ideas and solutions for modern urban development challenges here in Minneapolis and St. Paul. These challenges were specifically chosen due to their environmental and social impact. Therefore, solutions had to be racially equitable and environmentally sustainable.

This program was made possible by the passionate and inspirational leadership of Caroline Karanja, Pamela Tiller and Channon Lemon, with support from Yahsmene Butler and Jonas Dalgaard Nielsen.

Pamela Tiller, Program Manager at Nordic City Solutions

Channon Lemon, VP at the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce

The Challenge

The goal of this hackathon was to collaborate internationally to develop solutions to modern development challenges in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Finding experts in land development and urban planning from both Nordic countries and local members of the Twin Cities posed a challenge--however, through networking and a digital platform called Solved we were able to address this quickly.

Additionally, we faced the challenge of creating the hackathon during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Therefore, all work was done remotely. This made our Nordic partnerships more accessible, however, there was a digital learning curve for some participants.

Some of the organizations that participated

Consulate General of Iceland in New York

The Workshops

We offered 3 public workshops that focused on Connectivity, Holistic Design and Developing a Business Case for equitable economic and environmentally sustainable development projects. These workshops featured speakers like Mayor Melvin Carter III (St. Paul, MN), the CEO of City Facilitators Per Boesgaard (Denmark), Executive Director of MN350 Sam Grant (Minneapolis, MN), Svein Berg the Managing Director of Nordic Innovation (Norway), and other influential figures.

How Our Service Helped

Our primary client for this hackathon was Nordic City Solutions. They are a public-private platform facilitated by the Nordic Trade Promotion Organizations focused on developing sustainable and resilient smart cities, primarily in Nordic countries but also globally. Through cross partnerships, they ideate on solutions--making them the perfect first client for Hack the Gap’s hackathon services.

We offered a unique way to gather diverse and future-oriented participants, facilitate holistic design processes and ensure equity as an outcome. The Nordic-American IDEA Hackathon exemplified how Hack the Gap’s values of putting equity, inclusion and innovation at the center of our discussions creates desirable solutions for everyone.

“A friend of mine once said there is no difference between theory and practice, but there is one difference. Practice won't let you forget anything or leave anything out. In theory, problems are easily solved because you can leave something out. This exercise brought together the best theoretical knowledge and the practitioners to help manifest these principles to secure the public goods that we're all striving for.”

- Monte Hilleman

Results, Return on Investment, Future Plans

As a result of the hackathon, the teams arrived at 14 unique proposals to 4 specific urban development challenges. Each challenge owner will now have multiple solutions to choose from, and they are not limited to one choice. Challenges surrounded creating sustainable eco-loop energy systems, access to fresh and healthy food, affordable housing that is environmentally sustainable and community ownership.

One challenge team addressed the federally designated food desert in North Minneapolis by providing a space for local, sustainable and future-oriented businesses (many owned by BIPOC community members) to locate themselves at the Upper Harbor Terminal--an important location along the Mississippi river that provides access to water, trade opportunities and access to land equity.

Another challenge was focused on repurposing the Hillcrest golf course in St. Paul into an industrial eco-loop park, allowing for sustainable energy systems to fuel retail shops, restaurants and 1000 units of affordable housing on the site which will result in 1000+ entry level employment opportunities.

Hack the Gap looks forward to hosting more hackathons that are focused on future-oriented, equitable and innovative solutions to modern challenges like urban development, sustainability, community ownership and technological advancement all through a diverse and inclusive lens. Our virtual hackathon has allowed us to collaborate internationally with impressive professionals who understand the importance of creating a responsible world for our future generations.

Closing Event Highlights

Sam Grant, Executive Director of MN350

Channon Lemon, VP at the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce

Einar Gudmundsson, Facilitator and Consultant