Detroit to Explore 'Pink Zoning' to Reduce Red Tape

Detroit is looking for ideas to make it easier to revitalize neighborhood main streets.

1 minute read

August 12, 2016, 12:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


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Christine Ferretti reports: "Detroit this week is putting out a call to urban planners, architects, preservationists and designers for “Pink Zoning Detroit,” an initiative that sets out to transform the city’s complex land use rules and speed new development in its commercial corridors by reducing red tape."

The project, funded by a $75,000 grant through the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, will have three multidisciplinary teams put together visions for walkable, mixed-use activity in three commercial sites in Detroit. Later, the concepts will be tested against the city’s zoning ordinance and building code to identify roadblocks and work with city departments and others to identify strategies for reforms.

Maurice Cox, director of the city’s Planning and Development Department, is quoted in the article describing how traditional regulatory mechanisms, like zoning, can inhibit the kind of urban life sought by many residents. Pink Zoning Detroit joins the 20-minute neighborhood concept recently pitched by Mayor Mike Duggan as an organizing concept for revitalization.

Wednesday, August 10, 2016 in The Detroit News

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

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