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Placemaking : Features

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Can small ideas add up to big change for cities? 13 projects that prove they can (VIDEO)

Claire Nelson & John Notarianni Monday, September 15, 2014
Urban revitalization is not built on stadiums and skyscrapers alone. Vibrant cities begin with passionate people working on the ground, doing the creative heavy lifting to make their communities better. Leading up to Urban Innovation Exchange Sept. 24-26 in Detroit, we take a look at 13 small projects with big potential.

UIX invites urban innovators to exchange ideas in Detroit

Matthew Lewis & Claire Nelson Sunday, August 10, 2014
Cities are reinventing themselves in creative new ways. Can small-scale projects have big impact? Join us Sept. 24-26 in Detroit to explore creative projects driving neighborhood transformation and trade ideas for the future.

Knight Arts Challenge seeks best ideas for the arts in Detroit

Knight Foundation Monday, March 03, 2014
Beginning March 10, Detroiters will once again have an opportunity to win funding for their arts projects through the Knight Arts Challenge, offering a share of $3 million for arts and culture projects that engage and enrich the city. The deadline for the contest, now in its second year, is April 7. 

Rebuilding Detroit's first and last neighborhood

Francis Grunow Friday, January 17, 2014
Francis Grunow's presentation at last month's Idealab in Ann Arbor was so good we thought it should reach a wider audience in UIX, and we're also turning it into a three-part think series on Detroit neighborhoods. 

The Grand + Woodward Corridor: Collaboration as Innovation

Khalilah Burt Gaston Friday, November 22, 2013
Khalilah Burt Gaston is the new Executive Director of Vanguard Community Development Corporation, and is collaborating with residents, businesses, and institutions along the Grand + Woodward Corridor to implement a cohesive plan for community development as part of the Grand + Woodward Building Sustainable Communities Initiative. 

Permaculture: Green economy takes root in Highland Park

Dennis Archambault Friday, October 25, 2013
An approach to designing a self-maintaining garden modeled after natural ecosystems, Permaculture maximizes the distribution of rainwater by aligning it with exposure to sun and wind. Dennis Archambault went digging for this story.

Publisher's notebook: The Avenue, a love story

Claire Nelson Wednesday, May 22, 2013
With the "Light up Livernois" event coming up May 31-June 1, Claire Nelson takes a tuneful stroll down the Avenue of Fashion, shining a light on one of Detroit's most historic retail districts. Conclusion? Cooperation and collaboration point to an even more vibrant future.  

The Art of Neighborhood Innovation recapped

Walter Wasacz Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Artists skilled at community and business development were our panelists at this standing room only event at one of  MOCAD's largest galleries. Just for you, Cass Corridor Films and Walter Wasacz were there to report it all. 

Every Day is a Holiday: The Future of Detroit is Now

Nicole Rupersburg Monday, April 01, 2013
UIX editor Nicole Rupersburg takes a look at the city that is evolving more every day. It's springtime: a time of rebirth and renewal. Detroit's interminable winter has finally come to an end.

Urban Exchange: Trading Ideas with Toronto

Claire Nelson Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Model D's Claire Nelson and Hopscotch Detroit social innovator Ajooni Sethi go north to share the power of play as a tool for civic engagement with our Canadian comrades at Yonge St. Sounds like some serious fun was had in the Queen City.

From banking to changemaking: Chris Uhl reflects on his move to the Skillman Foundation

Chris Uhl Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Chris Uhl left the world of banking to join the Skillman Foundation (as a director, no less). Here he reflects on his reasons for making that life-changing decision to dedicate his life to changemaking. 

Poor but sexy: REVOLVE aims to re-imagine vacant storefronts and rebuild neighborhood retail

Michael Forsyth Thursday, December 06, 2012
Michael Forsyth, Business Development Manager of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, heads up the DEGC's recently-launched REVOLVE program. REVOLVE works with growing neighborhoods, aspiring entrepreneurs, and building owners in need of tenants to address Detroit's threefold issue of neighborhood needs, excessive storefront vacancies, and lack of retail density head-on via pop-up. Here he shares with UIX Detroit the short- and long-term visions for REVOLVE.

Crossing Paths with Kyle Bartell

Noah Stephens, The People of Detroit Friday, June 08, 2012
Photographer Noah Stephens goes out in search of innovation and crosses paths (more than once) with a young Detroiter on a mission to transform unused parcels into parks. Meet Kyle Bartell, who has a vision to create more public gathering spaces in places where trails are already being blazed. (Photo essay from The People of Detroit for UIX.)

Call for Ideas: Innovative ways to fund small-scale community projects?

Tunde Wey Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Detroit has very active foundations and corporations that invest millions of dollars in our community. Usually these funds are directed toward larger, established civic institutions and non-profit organizations with a demonstrated record of impact and success. But what if you have a new, untested idea to address a neighborhood need? How can we create more funding opportunities for smaller-scale but potentially transformative community projects?

Let's Get Innovative: Tactical Urbanism?

Claire Nelson Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Who doesn't love a "design on a dime" makeover show? You know the ones, where a homeowner is given an impossible budget and deadline to totally transform a space, then through sheer creativity and resourcefulness (and maybe some clever editing), the place comes to life - huzzah! Well, the same is possible with public spaces. Urban designer-types call this "tactical urbanism." What they really mean is activating places quickly & cheaply. How can we do more of this in Detroit?
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