A host of new problems faces Michigan in the 21st century, yet many state leaders have outmoded strategies for success in economic and community development.
"To an astute observer of recent history and economics, the phrases 'Michigan' and 'recession' seem so closely aligned that they are almost indistinguishable. Except for an all too brief period in the 1990s, when auto and truck sales soared and the state's manufacturing sector employed 908,000 people, Michigan has, since the late 1970s, been steadily sinking like a waterlogged towel. The state is now drawing close to Louisiana, West Virginia, and the Dakotas at the bottom of the national heap.
Why this is happening is a story of wasteful patterns of spread out development, reckless neglect of cities, foolish disregard of the new economic factors driving the 21st century, and political gamesmanship, especially in Lansing, our state capital. For all intents and purposes Michigan is writing a modern narrative of distress and decline. The state is a vivid warning to the rest of America about the consequences of desperately defending in the 21st century the obsolete cars-fuel-highways-parking lot-drive-through economic development strategy that propelled the 20th."
Thanks to Keith Schneider
FULL STORY: Trapped in the 20th Century

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