Research

Okay, you're right. It costs the earth to build new in Michigan or do a significant rehab. But don't immediately rush to load up the U-Haul and venture off to cheaper climes. All is not lost. The summers are too good here in Michigan, our quality of life is outstanding,...

We know that traditional zoning and development codes, as applied by nearly every one of our hundreds of members across Michigan, can be harmful to building strong, prosperous communities. We have major statewide initiatives to support locals in wrestling their regulations around to something that does what they want-Redevelopment Ready...

Gem Theater Detroit was at the heart of CNU 24 last week! For the past two years, the League partnered with Congress for the New Urbanism to bring their 24th international convention to our doorstep. League staffers held positions on the host committee and participated in legacy charrettes for four...

Last week something pretty cool happened: 200 people attended a community visioning workshop in Vassar, MI. The city has a population of about 2,600, so a 7% turnout is a success worth celebrating. This visioning event was pretty unlike most organized through a traditional charrette. When I first sat down...

For the past two years, several of us at the League have had the privilege of participating on the CNU24 Local Planning Committee with a passionate group of urbanists.  As the one clear voice for cities and villages of Michigan, the League is in a unique position to reach out...

Although there was lots of activity outside on a beautiful warm spring Sunday afternoon in Southwest Detroit, it was inside the Cristo Rey high school where some of the real excitement was taking place. Vernor Crossing is one of four Congress of New Urbanism (CNU) Legacy Charrettes - hands-on public...

Downtown Pontiac has tremendous potential - planners said following three-days of intensive study by the Congress of the New Urbanism. Three days of conceptualization and team effort culminated in Sunday's meeting to conclude the Congress of New Urbanism Legacy Project charrette in Pontiac, Michigan. Intended to reimagine Pontiac's downtown space,...

Team Leader Vinayak Bharne of Moule & Polyzoides Archtects & Urbanisms talks with Hazel Park residents about ways to improve their community as part of a CNU Legacy Project Tuesday. Hazel Park residents, city leaders and business owners got good news from an urban planner during a special design charrette...

The Knight Foundation has announced the finalists for this year's Knight Cities Challenge--and the League's idea - "Permit Corps" - is among them! With over 4,500 ideas submitted in the first round, the 158 finalists who have been invited to submit full proposals include 20 finalists from Detroit.  (We're tied...

Last week I attended Congress for New Urbanism's conference in Buffalo, NY and had a wonderful time learning about ideas, projects, and research on new urbanism and placemaking. Here are a few highlights from my favorite presentations: Jeff Speck: New Urbanism 101 Jeff Speck's book, "Walkable City." Jeff Speck is...