Michigan

Streetcar

Unified Fare Payment in Detroit

The QLine streetcar joins the fare payment system of DDOT and SMART buses in the Motor City.

August 20, 2019 - Detroit Free Press

Amtrak Train

Amtrak Wants to Extend the Wolverine Line With Service From Detroit to Toronto

There hasn't been a passenger rail connection between Detroit and Toronto since 1971, but that could change.

August 14, 2019 - Wood TV 8

Detroit - Renaissance Center

After Changes, New Tower Might Not Be Detroit's Tallest Tower After All

A building under construction at the former site of J.L. Hudson's department store in Detroit will no longer reach 900 feet, as once planned.

August 10, 2019 - Detroit Free Press

Democratic Debate

Dems Debated in the Perfect Place to Talk About Cities, But Didn't Talk About Cities

An opportunity missed in Detroit.

August 6, 2019 - Detroit Free Press

A Climate Change Preview Underway in Michigan

Water is encroaching on neighborhoods and shorelines in Detroit at rare levels. Those impacts and many more are considered only a preview of what's to come when the worst effects of climate change strike the Great Lakes region.

July 19, 2019 - The Detroit Free Press

Chicago Freeway Traffic

Research Documents the Negative Externalities of 20th Century Freeway Planning

According to a newly released working paper, people in 20th century noticed the air and noise pollution and severed neighborhoods caused by freeways, and many of those people chose to move to the suburbs rather than deal with the nuisance.

July 12, 2019 - PlanPhilly

Detroit Pistons

Detroit Columnist: 30 Years Isn't Long Enough for a Sports Arena to Stand

The short life of the Palace of Auburn Hills, once home to the NBA's Detroit Pistons, is a "colossal waste," according to John Gallagher.

July 7, 2019 - Detroit Free Press

Americans With Disabilities Act

Study Measures 150 Miles of Informal Footpaths in Detroit, Explores Their Larger Importance

A new study by researchers at Illinois State University and the University of Michigan measured the informal footpaths—also known as "desire lines"—of Detroit.

July 2, 2019 - Landscape And Urban Planning

Space X

Hyperloop for the Great Lakes Gets Initial Blessing the U.S House of Representatives

The U.S. Senate still needs to approve the bill that would spend $5 million in initial funding for the Great Lakes Hyperloop System.

July 1, 2019 - Crain's Cleveland Business

Detroit, Michigan

An International Design Competition Reveals New Plans for Detroit's Cultural Center

Dubbed "Detroit Square," the newly revealed designs for ten blocks around 12 cultural and educational institutions will redesign the public realm for the human scale.

June 29, 2019 - The Detroit News

SEPTA Token

The New Trend in Transit: $0 Transfer Fees

After Detroit eliminated its fee to transfer between DDOT and SMART buses. Advocates in Pennsylvania want Philadelphia to be next.

May 2, 2019 - PlanPhilly

Parking Restrictions

Court Ruling: Chalking Tires Amounts to Unconstitutional Search of Vehicle

A unanimous ruling by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals on April 22 found that the chalking of tires by parking enforcement officers on public streets is a violation of the Fourth Amendment.

April 29, 2019 - The New York Times

Detroit, Michigan

Protecting Detroit's Historic Food District

Detroit's historic food district is under very contemporary development pressure, so the nonprofit tasked with managing the market has decided to define principles that prioritize affordability and inclusivity in the area.

April 25, 2019 - Crain's Detroit Business

Detroit, Michigan

New Additions Coming to the Detroit Skyline

A $310 million project in Midtown Detroit continues the development momentum of Detroit's urban core.

March 25, 2019 - Crain's Detroit Business

Detroit Skyline

Jeep Plant Isn't Getting a Warm Reception From Detroit Residents

Fiat Chrysler’s plan for a new Jeep plant in Detroit is off to a rocky start.

March 23, 2019 - Detroit Free Press

Rain On Pavement

Detroit Drainage Fees Are Hitting Residents Hard

The city says the increased fees that many people are seeing reflect a more equitable billing system, but residents argue the charges are unfair.

March 22, 2019 - Bridge

Fracking

Michigan Gov. Whitmer Proposes 45-Cent Gas Tax Hike in First Budget

Gretchen Whitmer has outdone the new Democratic governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, who proposed a 20 cents tax hike. Like Walz's budget, gas tax revenue would replace some general funds directed to road spending, thus benefiting other state programs.

March 21, 2019 - Detroit Free Press

Aerial photo of the US 131/M-6/68th St. interchange in Wyoming, MIchigan

Where Gas Taxes Only Serve the Needs of More Sprawl

The gas tax, suburban highway spending cycle is both self-serving and self-destructive, according to this article.

March 14, 2019 - Streetsblog USA

Grant Recipients to Study Michigan's Eviction Rate

Two urban and regional planning faculty at the University of Michigan's Taubman College, Assistant Professor Robert Goodspeed and Professor Emerita Margaret Dewar, were awarded a grant to study data on evictions in Michigan.

March 1, 2019 - University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning

Polar Vortex

When Red States Turn Blue

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has followed the path laid by New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker in joining the U.S. Climate Alliance. All three are new Democratic governors replacing Republican predecessors.

February 7, 2019 - InsideClimate News

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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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.