Resources & Research

We're proud to be part of Michigan's leadership in building on place, but that doesn't mean we're content to rest on our laurels or pretend we've got everything figured out.  We're still learning as we go, and updating our practice as we figure out what's working well and what needs...

Placemaker and CEO of Adelaide, Australia Peter Smith is coming to Michigan to speak at the Michigan Local Government Managers Association Winter Institute at the end of the month. Because he's traveling so far, we figured we better take advantage of his time here with a fun, low-key, networking and...

A Foolish Celebration – Bringing Art to the Streets from Michigan Municipal League on Vimeo. I got goose bumps watching giant paper mache creatures come to life, limited only by their creator's imagination. It was the 8th annual Festifools, an event that takes place on the first Sunday of April...

As I travel around to different cities and places, my camera is always ready to capture that "aha" moment.  You probably have things in your own back yard, but don't see them because you walk by them every day. But slow down your pace sometime, become more mindful and ask...

When I think of great transit, I think of European cities. That doesn't mean we don't have a few good examples in our own country, but the best examples seem to be overseas, countries that have been investing less in cars and more in all forms of transit for decades....

Pop-up placemaking is all about light, quick, cheap and often temporary ways to energize and activate a public space. It can take many forms, and a coworker and I saw a perfect example today in Ann Arbor: the Sonic Lunch. It was an absolutely pristine, beautiful summer day, when getting...

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend the Congress for the New Urbanism Conference (CNU21) in Salt Lake City (SLC). I was sure that I would be let down following my barely contained anticipation of the event. Not to worry, it was everything and more than...