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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...
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Engaged Communities A Key to Long-Term Economic Success
In Michigan we are in the process of reinventing ourselves. Mark’s Carts in Ann Arbor, the state’s top food truck spot Once the premiere manufacturing hub of the western hemisphere, Michigan has...
View ArticleThree Excellent (short) Videos on Building Great Places
Here are three excellent videos that explore how we can improve the places where we live and build communities that thrive, compliments of the Michigan Municipal League’s video vault. “Fall in Love...
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A Great Source for Cities and Placemaking News
If you haven’t checked out placemaking.mml.org then you’re missing out on some cutting edge thinking around building and sustaining great city spaces. The page contains some of the latest cutting edge...
View ArticlePlacemaking Is…
Placemaking is, at its roots, a response. A response to a modern pattern of city building that does not value the everyday experiences of people. Human beings have been in the business of making cities...
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Placemaking in Southwest Detroit
*I thought I would share this great piece from my very talented colleague Sarah Craft covering our exciting placemaking work in Southwest Detroit. *** Last week, the League’s Southwest Detroit...
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New $500,000 Grant Program Kicks-Off for Placemaking Projects in Michigan
Attention Placemakers and Crowdfunders in Michigan! A new Public Spaces, Community Places grant program, funded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), is now available at...
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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Economics of Place: The Art of Building Great Communities
This book goes beyond placemaking as a concept, to offer real-world examples of economic drivers and agents of social and cultural change in Michigan’s own backyard. They represent some of the many...
View ArticleNew Book Aims at Focal Point of Great Communities and Sound Economics
One of the rewarding things about working in local communities is that you get to meet some remarkable people along the way. When you combine innovative thinking with people who are passionate about...
View ArticleMarquette Gathering a Hit With Civic Leaders
The premiere learning event for local and civic leaders in Michigan took place in Marquette this past weekend. The city is a perfect laboratory for such a meeting with the cutting edge efforts going on...
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Something Great for Local Officials, Urbanists and City Lovers to Read Today
Sarah Craft, one of my talented colleagues (I am fortunate to have many), recently authored a best practices guide for effective Citizen Engagement. Sarah came to the League from the acclaimed Detroit...
View ArticleWhy Is Placemaking Important?
Below is an excerpt from the new book Economics of Place: The Art of Building Great Communities: Why Placemaking? Placemaking, at its core, is a response. It follows in the long tradition of humanist...
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Check Out These Updates on ‘PlacePlans’ Work in Michigan
The crew at the Michigan Municipal League is at it again with some great new placemaking work in communities throughout the state. We are working on open air food markets, walkability, cultural...
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The League’s Detroit, Flint, Midland and Marquette ‘PlacePlans’ Draw Praise...
As an add on to the December 4 post below, check out these new stories on the PlacePlans work around Michigan. These exciting projects are drawing praise from local residents, economic developers, the...
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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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Placemaking in Southwest Detroit
*I thought I would share this great piece from my very talented colleague Sarah Craft covering our exciting placemaking work in Southwest Detroit. *** Last week, the League’s Southwest Detroit...
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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...
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An Aussie Urbanist in America’s Heartland
Last week I had the opportunity to host my friend Peter Smith in Michigan. Peter is the CEO of the Adelaide, South Australia City Council and a pioneer in the place-led governance movement. Peter...
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