A cadre of architects, planners, and designers descended upon Detroit for the 9th annual University of Michigan Detroit design charrette. The focus: a more livable and inhabited downtown for the country's most maligned, but up-and-coming cities.
"Some of the nation's leading city planners, architects and designers envision a downtown Detroit in 2011 with 10,000 new residents, a big box retailer to replace the MGM Grand Detroit temporary casino, a new arena for the Detroit Red Wings on Grand River and more green space."
"Those were among the dozens of suggestions offered Monday evening by four groups that totaled more than 80 people who brainstormed ways to keep the momentum going in a downtown that's beginning to attract new residents and development."
"The ideas were presented to a packed crowd at the Gem Theatre that included key city officials, suburban developers such as billionaire A. Alfred Taubman and city boosters. The presentation was part of the 9th Annual Detroit Design Workshop organized by the University of Michigan's Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning."
FULL STORY: Planners layout ideas for Detroit

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.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont