Four chiefs of hospitals in the Detroit area pen an opinion piece in support of public transit as a key factor in public health outcomes.
John Fox, Jean Meyer, Dr. Anthony J. Tedeschi, and Wright L. Lassiter III, are the heads of Beaumont Health, Ascension Michigan, Detroit Medical Center, and Henry Ford Health System, respectively. They collaborated on an opinion piece published by the Detroit Free Press that makes a strong case for considering public health when advocating for improved public transit.
"Strong public transit is fundamental to building and maintaining healthy communities in Southeast Michigan," begins the opinion piece. "The evidence is clear. Lack of access to a working regional transit system can have life and death consequences for residents of our community. It is a public health issue and an issue that we have the ability to solve."
The opinion piece directly supports the effort to craft a regional transit plan—a prospect that has proven controversial over the years in the Detroit region. The most recent failure came in 2016, but the nascent possibility of new regional transit plan has already gained support from a coalition of corporate leadership in addition to this more recent expression of support from the region's healthcare leadership.
FULL STORY: Hospital chiefs: Lack of transit in metro Detroit is a public health issue
Detroit CEOs Want a Regional Transit Plan
The idea has failed before, most recently in 2016, but the attempt at wooing Amazon has the idea of a regional approach to public transit back on the table in Detroit.
In Detroit, Plant Growth on Vacant Land Has Created a Pollen Problem
The reforestation of Detroit has become a problem for allergy and asthma sufferers in the area.
Regional Transit in Detroit: An Idea Whose Time Has Not Yet Come
Transit supporters in the Detroit region suffered a setback last week, but the hope is that they've only lost a battle, not the war, for regional transit.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
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.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie