How Detroit's Mayor Attempts to Save the Great American City

With the challenges facing American cities of tight budgets and lost revenues, Major Bing openly asks how to shrink the size of Detroit and makes an open call for plans, concepts, and strategies to save the failing city.

1 minute read

February 10, 2011, 1:00 PM PST

By Anonymous (not verified)

As Mayor Bing explains, "The key to our coming back is being focused and making sure that we've got the right kind of density in the right parts of the city."

Krissa Thompson writes that consultants, nonprofits and other groups are responding to the call, bringing an energy to Detroit not unlike post-Katrina New Orleans:

"There is an urban farming proposal, which would turn over whole sections of the city to corporate farming operations. Many of the country's leading foundations, including Kresge, Ford, Rockefeller, Kellogg, Skillman and Knight, are funding arts, education and development projects.

The Urban Land Institute is helping to revitalize a downtown corridor."

Thanks to Raquel Trinidad

FULL STORY: With Detroit in dire straits, mayor invites big thinking

Tuesday, February 8, 2011 in Washington Post

Government / Politics Land Use Michigan

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

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.