Detroit's Hart Plaza is full of concertgoers during Jazz Fest, but some think the downtown space could serve the city better the rest of the year.

Hart Plaza could be the next target of Detroit's continuing efforts to revitalize its waterfront. While the space can be very lively during concert events, some see the space as lacking purpose between events. "Today we understand that vast expanses of concrete and asphalt do little or nothing by themselves, especially when, as in the declining Detroit of the '70s, the city adopted a bunker mentality toward its riverfront, building the Renaissance Center as a fortress with little or no interaction with the plaza right outside,"John Gallagher writes for the Detroit Free Press.
While there's been no official word on a redesign, Gallagher reports that there have been rumors of a revamp from Mayor Duggan's office. For his part Duggan says it’s early to discuss what would be created there.
A revamp for the plaza might seek to make more sheltered, pleasant gathering spaces, or bringing in more activities. Gallagher quotes a Wayne State planning professor who contends the problem with the plaza is not the space itself, but rather that there need to be more reasons to visit it.
FULL STORY: Hart Plaza next for a redo? Planners hope to liven up acres of asphalt

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie