Michigan

Detroit, Michigan

Protecting Detroit's Historic Food District

Detroit's historic food district is under very contemporary development pressure, so the nonprofit tasked with managing the market has decided to define principles that prioritize affordability and inclusivity in the area.

April 25, 2019 - Crain's Detroit Business

Detroit, Michigan

New Additions Coming to the Detroit Skyline

A $310 million project in Midtown Detroit continues the development momentum of Detroit's urban core.

March 25, 2019 - Crain's Detroit Business

Detroit Skyline

Jeep Plant Isn't Getting a Warm Reception From Detroit Residents

Fiat Chrysler’s plan for a new Jeep plant in Detroit is off to a rocky start.

March 23, 2019 - Detroit Free Press

Rain On Pavement

Detroit Drainage Fees Are Hitting Residents Hard

The city says the increased fees that many people are seeing reflect a more equitable billing system, but residents argue the charges are unfair.

March 22, 2019 - Bridge

Fracking

Michigan Gov. Whitmer Proposes 45-Cent Gas Tax Hike in First Budget

Gretchen Whitmer has outdone the new Democratic governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, who proposed a 20 cents tax hike. Like Walz's budget, gas tax revenue would replace some general funds directed to road spending, thus benefiting other state programs.

March 21, 2019 - Detroit Free Press

Aerial photo of the US 131/M-6/68th St. interchange in Wyoming, MIchigan

Where Gas Taxes Only Serve the Needs of More Sprawl

The gas tax, suburban highway spending cycle is both self-serving and self-destructive, according to this article.

March 14, 2019 - Streetsblog USA

Grant Recipients to Study Michigan's Eviction Rate

Two urban and regional planning faculty at the University of Michigan's Taubman College, Assistant Professor Robert Goodspeed and Professor Emerita Margaret Dewar, were awarded a grant to study data on evictions in Michigan.

March 1, 2019 - University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning

Polar Vortex

When Red States Turn Blue

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has followed the path laid by New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker in joining the U.S. Climate Alliance. All three are new Democratic governors replacing Republican predecessors.

February 7, 2019 - InsideClimate News

Snow Removal

Polar Vortex Shuts Down Detroit's Q-Line Streetcar

Other polar vortex-related transit news included fire on the tracks in Chicago.

January 31, 2019 - Detroit Free Press

Autonomous Vehicles

World's First Level 4 Autonomous Vehicle Factory Planned for Michigan

Waymo, not General Motors, is brining automobile manufacturing back to Michigan.

January 24, 2019 - Smart Cities Dive

Detroit Construction

Detroit Property Values Soar, Finally

Detroit's property values are climbing, steeply, for the first time in almost two decades.

January 23, 2019 - The Detroit News

Michigan

Form-Based Code Ended Single-Family Zoning a Decade Ago in Grand Rapids

The story of the Grand Rapids zoning code update of a decade ago offers perspective on the possibilities of code reform.

January 1, 2019 - Next City

Front Porch

The Front Porch: A Space of Deep Meaning for African-Americans

Much more than just an extension of a house, the porch has long been a place of safety, intimacy, and communality.

December 7, 2018 - The New York Times

American Car

Ford Follows GM to Prioritize SUVs

The efficient days of the post-auto industry bailout are over. American car companies are committing to larger, less efficient vehicles to keep up with the preferences of American consumers.

November 29, 2018 - Associated Press

Planning Professor

Planning Academic Appointed to Federal Reserve Board Community Advisory Council

The Federal Reserve Board’s Community Advisory Council serves in an advisory role on matters affecting communities and consumers.

November 28, 2018 - University of Michigan Taubman College

Bank Owned

Detroit Program Keeps Homeowners Facing Foreclosure Housed

The buyback plan diverts properties from Wayne County's tax foreclosure auction, keeping them in government hands until residents can repay the purchase price.

November 24, 2018 - Detroit Free Press

Governor of Minnesota

Minnesota Gubernatorial Candidate Campaigned on Increasing the Gas Tax and Wins

Democratic candidate Tim Walz was not shy about his intention to hike the gas tax to pay for improvements for roads and public transit, and he was predictably slammed by his Republican opponent. Similar scenarios played out in Wisconsin and Michigan.

November 23, 2018 - Pioneer Press

Michigan State Capital

MSU Campus to Become ‘Mobility Ecosystem'

Michigan State University plans to turn its 5,200-acre campus into a test site for advanced transportation technologies.

November 16, 2018 - Ward's Auto

Residential Development

Citing Lack of ADU Development, Ann Arbor to Refine its ADU Ordinance

After legalizing accessory dwelling units in 2016, the city of Ann Arbor hasn't added many accessory dwelling units. Some regulations designed to limit the number of ADUs developed have made the building type impossibly cost prohibitive.

November 13, 2018 - MLive

Rooftop Solar Panels

Solar in Michigan Facing Challenges From Net Metering Changes

New proposals targeting customers could derail solar energy’s future in the state.

October 26, 2018 - Inside Climate News

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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.