Michigan
Affordable Housing in a Tough Market
Ann Arbor, Michigan bought a former YMCA building to serve as affordable housing. Four years later, it sits empty, a piece of the difficult housing puzzle. 'Given the environment now, it would be tough,' says one planner about the site.
The Future of Urban Agriculture
Whether through community gardening or high-tech "vertical farms" interest is growing in urban agriculture.
Doug Farr on Detroit, His Hometown
A Detroit weekly talks to Doug Farr about his life growing up in Detroit and his ideas for bringing sustainable urbanism to the city.
Budget Cuts? Fire Your Planning Director
Benzie County, Michigan has canned their planning director in the name of budget cuts. County Commissioner Mary Pitcher said, "I believe that we can get considerably more bang for the buck if we contract for services."
Art, Beauty and Land Use in Detroit
Arts and Culture editor Rebecca Mazzei looks at public art - both official and unofficial - across the landscape of Detroit, and advocates for a bold new public art fund for the city.
Reality TV-Style Competition Meets Landscape Architecture
Three teams of landscape architects were given 24 hrs. to develop a master plan for the growing Michigan town of New Buffalo.
Retooling the Exurbs for Global Warming
Scientists at the University of Michigan are studying ways to replant exurbs in order to capture more atmosphere-warming carbon dioxide.
The $1 Home
A foreclosed property in Detroit was recently put on the market at a selling price of just one dollar.
Motor City Reconsiders Transit
After over fifty years without public transportation, new support for transit from Detroit leaders.
Building a 'Frybrid'
Students at Petoskey High School in Michigan are building the first “frybrid” -- a grease-powered hybrid -- in Northern Michigan.
Detroit Auto Critic Reviews New Ride -- the Bus
Joe White, who reports on the auto industry in Detroit, steps out his car and reflects on the city's mixed history of transit. To get the full picture, he tries to ride the bus himself.
Pushing for Adaptive Reuse in Detroit
Urban decay blankets much of downtown Detroit. More and more people are pushing for adaptive reuse of the aging and underused buildings, but some city policies may get in the way.
Container Condos Planned in Detroit
Developers in Detroit are planning a condominium project completely made out of used shipping containers. But city approval is needed before the project can move forward.
How To Encourage Brownfield Redevelopment
Builders and planners are gathering in Detroit to discuss funding options for brownfield redevelopment and learn from region's experience transforming these community eyesores.
Developer Action Needed to Spur Light Rail Plans
Private investors and developers must come forward and plan around proposed rail lines in Detroit if there is any hope of transit materializing, according to this editorial.
To Save Detroit, Plan For A Smaller City
A recent editorial argues that Detroit must look for ways to concentrate its dwindling population in a smaller, more compact city if it is to survive.
Kalamazoo Leverages Historic Preservation As Economic Development Tool
Older buildings with lower rents have enabled new businesses to startup in this Michigan city's lively downtown.
The Fight for $1 Homes
A HUD plan that allows municipalities to buy up foreclosed homes for just $1 is causing controversy in Wayne County, Michigan, where cities and counties are fighting over who is best suited to take over abandoned homes.
A Final Plea For Transit In Southwest Michigan
If local officials don't come together with a workable plan, Detroit may just blow its last chance to implement a regional transportation system.
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.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
