Detroit

The old and the new

Detroit Considers Community Benefit Agreements for Megaprojects

As developers plan city-saving projects like a billion-dollar bridge to Canada, Detroit residents demand that tangible benefits go to their communities. City council may pass an ordinance to that effect.

March 26, 2015 - Next City

aerial view of downtown detroit showing lots of parking lots

Exploring the Unique Geography of Detroit

One of Detroit’s most defining modern characteristics—and most pressing dilemmas—is its huge amount of neglected and vacant land.

March 13, 2015 - Mapping Detroit

Why New Sources of Capital Matter for Cites

Cities are becoming the new economic engines due to growing sectors in technology and knowledge production. Yet, cities must recognize with that transformation there comes not only opportunities but also new challenges.

February 27, 2015 - Common Place

How 'Awful Transit Policy' Led a Man to Commute 21 Miles by Foot

Stephen Henderson pens a strongly worded response to the story of James Robertson, who commutes by foot up to 21 miles a day between Detroit and Rochester Hills. Robertson is a source of pride—the transit system that neglects the region, a disgrace.

February 9, 2015 - Detroit Free Press

Michigan Economic Development Ideas Include Innovation Districts

Stakeholders in Michigan have bought in to the innovation district concept.

January 19, 2015 - Crain's Detroit Business

Belden Place

Four Cities Making the Most of Alley Spaces

Urbanful examines four cities making the most of scare public spaces by reactivating their alleys with programming and pedestrian-friendly designs.

December 30, 2014 - Urbanful

The old and the new

Is Mismanagement the Cause of Legacy Cities' Decline?

One common argument against attempts to control sprawl near declining cities is that the problem is the fault of mismanaged city government.

December 29, 2014 - Michael Lewyn

Downtown Cincinnati

60 Years of Midwestern Urban Renewal

Researchers at the Institute for Quality Communities at the University of Oklahoma prepared a set of images to show the indelible impact of mid-20th century urban renewal on Midwestern cities.

December 18, 2014 - Institute for Quality Communities

Redevelopment Plans Finalized for Site of Detroit's Defunct Tiger Stadium

Tiger Stadium was demolished in 2008 after a failed bid to preserve the historic ballpark. Recently, however, a new mixed use development, including a baseball diamond for youth sports programs, was approved to take its place.

December 17, 2014 - The Detroit News

The End of the Era of Cheap Water

In many places around the country, the price of water is increasing, quickly. While the reasons for the increase vary depending on the location, common to the issue is the ability of planning to either help or hinder the problem.

December 9, 2014 - Governing

Detroit's Latest Power Outage: The Dark Before the Dawn?

Earlier this week a massive power outage struck Detroit. But that type of embarrassment might soon be a thing of the past because Detroit will soon undertake a $200 million upgrade of its electricity grid.

December 3, 2014 - Detroit Free Press

How to Solve the Pension Challenge

Diana Lind of Next City poses five ways big cities can alleviate some of their pension funding problems.

November 16, 2014 - Next City

Detroit's Bankruptcy Exit Plan Approved

Federal judge Steven Rhodes approved Detroit’s plan to shed $7 billion of the total $18 billion debt.

November 8, 2014 - The Washington Post

Nothing to See Here: Detroit's Blockbuster Blight Bid Falls Through

Anna Clark has the scoop about the latest wrinkle in the blockbuster Detroit blight auction: the surprise, mysterious bid for 6,000 parcels if off the table.

November 6, 2014 - Next City

Wild Detroit

$3.2 Million Bid for 6,000 Foreclosed Properties in Detroit Auction

Karin Weise reports that an anonymous bidder will pay $3.2 million to purchase 6,000 foreclose homes in Detroit.

October 27, 2014 - Business Week

The old and the new

Can Billionaires Revitalize Decayed Downtowns?

Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert has an urbanist streak. And only people with his kind of money can singlehandedly buy out big chunks of downtown Detroit. But will his approach to neighborhood-making actually benefit the city as a whole?

October 17, 2014 - Grist

Can Detroit's Comeback Benefit Everyone?

Suzette Hackney, a former Detroit Free Press journalist, expresses her concern about who is getting left out of Detroit's comeback story.

October 5, 2014 - Politico Magazine

A Day at the Beach in Downtown Detroit

Inspired by the Paris Plages temporary urban beach along the Seine, a temporary beach in a park in Downtown Detroit is inspiring the Motor City to rethink its public spaces.

September 30, 2014 - Project For Public Spaces

Anchorage Alaska

Where to Go in the Event of Climate Change

Anchorage, Seattle, and Detroit will be pretty cozy compared to just about everywhere else in the United States if climate change models hold true.

September 23, 2014 - New York Times

Detroit - Renaissance Center

Bankruptcy in Detroit—The Tip of the Iceberg

One of the scariest things about Detroit's bankruptcy proceedings is that the fiscal choices that city made has been repeated in many other cities.

September 21, 2014 - Edward Poteat

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.