The $500 million Renaissance Center, a 2.9-mile People Mover, and new downtown sports stadiums are just some of the grand schemes that were supposed to help arrest Detroit's decades-long decline.
"Nobody has done an accounting of the money that has flowed to Detroit through the years in the name of urban renewal," writes Michael A. Fletcher. "But researchers note that the city has been a major recipient of federal money since the Model Cities program was launched as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society."
“Detroit has certainly seen its share of urban initiatives,” said Eric Scorsone, an economist and faculty member at Michigan State University.
"Few have fared particularly well," adds Fletcher, who chronicles some of the grand plans - both public and private - that failed to arrest the city's economic meltdown.
FULL STORY: Grand plans by presidents, both Democrats and Republicans, fail in Detroit
Downtown Expressway's Days Are Numbered in Detroit
Detroit will soon join the ranks of cities that have ripped out high-speed freeways from their urban core.
Detroit's Rebirth: Beyond the Headlines
John Gallagher takes a look at some of the civic factors and organizations that have worked behind the scenes to pull Detroit through.
Can Detroit's Urban Revitalization Undo the Mistakes of Urban Renewal?
Some experts think the language used to describe a redevelopment project in Detroit might be overly ambitious.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)