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Not a Political Blog. I Repeat, Not a Political Blog
Where is the talk of cities? Of the crumbling infrastructure in our country? Of the long-term sustainability of our development decisions? I write this at the conclusion of the Republican Convention in...
View ArticleIf You Live in Michigan and Care About Transportation Policy…
Check out the latest blog from MichiganNow.org on the Michigan Department of Transportation’s Long Range Plan and the controversy that surrounds it. Friend and colleague Chris McCarus reports on the...
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Another Placemaking Award- Complete Streets, Placemaking & Other New Urban Ideas
I just became aware of another placemaking award. This one – via Placemaking Paladin – looks to feature projects around food, comfort, and creativity. The ground rules are simple. Entries are due...
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September 21 Deadline for Placemaking Technical Assistance in Michigan
Traverse City, MI From www.mml.org Do you have a project in your community that just needs a little spark to get in motion? If so, there may be some free help available for you. As part of the state’s...
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Walk to School Day- FUBAR!
This past October 3 schools all over the U.S. were invited to participate in Walk to School Day. Kids were encouraged to walk or bike to school in an effort to promote positive things like bike safety,...
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A Shout Out to Some Great Speakers on City Issues
Last week hundreds of local leaders from around Michigan and elsewhere gathered on Mackinac Island to discuss the latest challenges facing cities and villages. Lots of research was presented, best...
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You Say “Sustainability,” I Say “Grilled Cheese”
Here’s a quick survey. Which would you prefer: “Coagulated proteins and fats derived from a bovine mammary liquid, heated to high temperature inside a gluten-based covering”… some “yellow gooey stuff...
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ATTN: Urbanists, Traffic Engineers, City Planners: History is the Best Teacher
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z75lu0wKbX8 I have blogged before about the problems that we caused when we stopped building our neighborhoods for people and started building them for cars. The...
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The Prosperity Agenda: Michigan Cities Prepare for Baby Boomers
From now until 2030, AARP predicts all 50 states will see a “rapid acceleration in growth” in their elderly populations as baby boomers turn 65. During this month’s Prosperity Agenda radio show we talk...
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Jane’s Walk This Weekend
The good people at Let’s Save Michigan have taken it upon themselves to coordinate “an international event that gathers neighbors together to walk, talk, and generate ideas to get local residents...
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New Podcast to Focus on Urbanism, Michigan
For those of you interested in cities, urbanism, placemaking, and Michigan make sure that you check out the new podcast page from the Michigan Municipal League. “Better Communities. Better Michigan....
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Two Projects Show How ‘New Urban’ Concepts Can Aide the Motor City
I-375 in downtown Detroit The two projects linked below are excellent examples of how rethinking infrastructure deployment in downtowns can have a major impact on an area. The first link reveals how...
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Placemaking Catches Fire in Michigan
A new set of survey results from the University of Michigan Ford School of Public Policy details a big increase in the use of placemaking as a core economic development strategy in Michigan...
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All-Season Cities Must Program Public Spaces Year Round
It is easier to program space in the summertime. The weather is great, people are looking for a reason to enjoy the outdoors and merchants open their doors and spill their goods onto the sidewalks.The...
View ArticleA Peek at the Upcoming Book, The Economics of Place: The Art of Building...
Here is an excerpt from the upcoming book, The Economics of Place: The Art of Building Great Communities, to be released in September. The book examines important civic actions happening on the ground...
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BOOK DEAL: 50% OFF for the Urbanist on your holiday gift list!
Purchase the Book The Economics of Place: The Art of Building Great Communities can be yours for 50 % OFF through the holiday season. The book offers great insight into how people in communities of all...
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A Shout Out to Some Great Speakers on City Issues
Last week hundreds of local leaders from around Michigan and elsewhere gathered on Mackinac Island to discuss the latest challenges facing cities and villages. Lots of research was presented, best...
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Heritage Hill in Grand Rapids, A Great Urban Place
A colleague of mine recently authored a blog on the Heritage Hill neighborhood in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Richard Murphy, or “Murph” to his friends, goes into great detail on the important urban...
View ArticleAre You Wondering About How to Make Your City Attractive? Here’s How-
Here’s a short video that is worth the time to watch. With “How to Make an Attractive City,” Swiss writer Alain de Botton declares a six-point plan that all cities should follow. The video is a little...
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Great People, Great Work- How We are Building Great Communities For the Future
I work with some amazing people who dance along the cutting edge of civic innovation. Below are some samples of our collective work. There are examples of city building in all of its facets- civic...
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