In the same vein as Jane Jacobs and William Whyte, Kirk Westphal, a recent graduate of the University of Michigan's Taubman School of Urban Planning, analyzes the success and failures of downtown Ann Arbor.
"The opening scene of Kirk Westphal's documentary fast-forwards through minutes of footage shot at night at the corner of South Main and Liberty streets in downtown Ann Arbor.
Thanks to the use of time-lapse photography, viewers see continual throngs of people crossing the street in a well-lit downtown after dark. Viewers are left without a doubt that this a city that is alive, even after the sun goes down.
'Insights into a Lively Downtown: An Ann Arbor, Michigan Case Study,' features interviews with dozens of people about what they like and don't like about the core of the city. But the film focuses much on what is right about downtown Ann Arbor, allowing the city to prosper even as many other towns struggle to keep their downtowns alive."
FULL STORY: Downtown documentary Planner's film a flattering portrait of Ann Arbor
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.
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