The states new governor responds to recent Census data naming Detroit as first in the nation in the flight of young adults between 2000 and 2002.
"Gov. Jennifer Granholm is pushing a Cool Cities initiative to make people want to live, work and shop in Michigan Cool cities mean hot jobs, Michigan's 43-year-old freshman governor told a conference called Digital Detroit Cool cities are places where people with talent and imagination can find work, along with rich cultural, social and recreational opportunities ingredients for a quality lifestyle, the governor said." Richard Floridas recent book, "The Rise of the Creative Class," inspired the decision. Detroit looks to focus on "its musical creativity, from the Motown sound of the 1960s to its place as the techno music capital today "
Thanks to David Gest
FULL STORY: Michigan Initiative Seeks 'Cool Cities'

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

Vehicle-related Deaths Drop 29% in Richmond, VA
The seventh year of the city's Vision Zero strategy also cut the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes by half.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

More Apartments Are Being Built in Less-Dense Areas
Rising housing costs in urban cores and a demand for rental housing is driving more multifamily development to exurbs and small metros.

Plastic Bag Bans Actually Worked
U.S. coastal areas with plastic bag bans or fees saw significant reductions in plastic bag pollution — but plastic waste as a whole is growing.

Improving Indoor Air Quality, One Block at a Time
A movement to switch to electric appliances at the neighborhood scale is taking off in California.
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.
Borough of Carlisle
Smith Gee Studio
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)