Despite criticism and delays, Michigan's Governor Jennifer Granholm pushes forward to make urban areas in Michigan attractive to young professionals.
The Cool Cities program, the state of Michigans economic development initiative to combat brain drain across the state, has been progressing slowly since the Governor first proposed the program in 2003. "Between 1995 and 2000, Michigan lost an estimated 43,000 young college graduates, who left the state for everything from jobs to warmer year-round weather." The Cool Cities program awards grants for the development of loft housing, parks, art centers and other "cool" urban amenities that may appeal to twenty-somethings. The criticism and the slow progress of some of the projects are not deterring city and state officials, who continue to support the program and point to the millions of dollars in investments and the hundreds of jobs that have been created and retained as a result of the program to date.
Thanks to Connie Chung
FULL STORY: Michigan fosters 'Cool City' series
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility
Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
Eviction Looms for Low-Income Tenants as Rent Debt Rises
Nonprofit housing operators across the country face almost $10 billion in rent debt.
Brightline West Breaks Ground
The high-speed rail line will link Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area.
Colorado Bans No-Fault Evictions
In most cases, landlords must provide a just cause for evicting tenants.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.