Placemaking

LPI Events 

LPI Concludes Legislative Forum Series on Placemaking

On Wednesday, February 6, 2013, the MSU Land Policy Institute sponsored a legislative forum on "Placemaking: Why and How?" This was the second forum in a two-part series on placemaking. The first forum was held on January 22, 2013, and focused on "Placemaking: What is It?" Hosted by Representative Andy Schor, speakers shared results from a Midwest assessment on the value of placemaking, explored Michigan PlacePlans, and provided examples of local and regional placemaking in action. Panelists included:

• Benjamin Calnin, Informatics and Decision Support Coordinator at LPI, presented research conducted at LPI from a recent study that explored "The Impact of Placemaking Attributes on Home Prices in the Midwest." He reported on initial findings from surveys conducted in six Michigan cities (Flint, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Royal Oak and Traverse City) and five cities in the Midwest (Davenport, IA; Rochester, MN; Lakewood, OH; and Madison and Manitowoc, WI). Calnin spoke about some of the positive and negative attributes that affected the home values, and how they varied in different research models. "In different Midwest cities," he said, "placemaking attributes appear to be valued differently."

• Luke Forrest, Program Coordinator of Information and Policy Research at the Michigan Municipal League (MML), provided an overview on the PlacePlans initiative, a partnership between MML, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority and MSU. He talked about the aim of the project, which is to help communities to plan and design transformative placemaking projects, and shared several examples of PlacePlans development in Michigan towns and cities. Forrest said, "People want to live in places where they can walk and have public activity." He also emphasized that there is an ever greater need to collaborate with local and state partners on these efforts.

• Sean Mann, another MML Program Coordinator, discussed an MML initiative called PlaceMarket, which is oriented towards bringing together a network of people to share ideas on urban progress and placemaking. Mann highlighted many examples of how placemaking can hold great economic value when city planners, business owners and other stakeholders work together to create an attractive environment. In the particular example of downtown Detroit he said: "Having people in the downtown environment where they enjoy themselves is an asset to attract talent." At the same time he reminded the attendees that "placemaking takes on all kinds of different scales and can include a variety of public places and activities."

• Sean O'Neil, Planning Director at White Lake Township, talked about the work being done to Create a Vision for White Lake Township, including a Master Plan that incorporates aspects of placemaking. O'Neil gave an overview of the Township and outlined four Area Plans aimed at improving economic development opportunities and building a sense of place within the community.

The following presentations and related publications from this event are available for download:

• "The Impact of Placemaking Attributes on Home Prices in the Midwest;"

• "PlaceMarket;"    

• "Placemaking: Creating a Vision for White Lake Township;"    

• Public Opinion of the New Economy, Placemaking and Economic Development Strategies for Michigan: A 2012 Survey of Residents and Local Government Officials; and   

• Building Prosperous Places in Michigan: Understanding the Values of, Perceptions of and Barriers to Placemaking.

Learn more at LPI Legislative Forum Series.

Good Ink on Former LPI Student Intern  . . . 

• "Detroit Revitalization Fellow: Michael Forsyth" (February 5, 2013) Model D 

• "Grosse Pointe 2.0 Redux" (February 7, 2013) Metromode

• "SWAT Teams to Save Architecture?" (February 6, 2013) Michigan Now

Place-Based Education Focus of Upcoming UGKC Tuesday Series

United Growth for Kent County (UGKC) is hosting the next Tuesday Series luncheon presentation (noon to 1pm) on Tuesday, February 19, 2013, at the Grand Valley State University (GVSU) Eberhard Center in Room 423 in Grand Rapids. Michael Posthumus of the GVSU College of Education's Center for Educational Partnerships will speak on how place-based education enhances a student's placemaking ability to make sense of place and understand how to find value and meaning in the spaces they encounter. He will also talk about the new GVSU grant project Groundswell, which was established to maintain a hub focused on promoting place-based education and helping young people in Kent County become stewards of their community, environment and their local watershed. This event is free and open to the public. Send RSVPs to pameladbenjamin@gmail.com. Learn more at UGKC Tuesday Series.      

Capital Gains Speaker Series: What Could a Unified Capital Region Look Like?

Imagine if Greater Lansing just became Lansing-- one consolidated city, the way New York City is just New York City. What could that mean for our region, to adopt regionalism? 

According to the Lansing Regional Chamber, "The Tri-County Region (Ingham, Eaton and Clinton) consists of 77 general purpose local governments including 12 cities, 14 villages and 48 townships. Collectively, the government functions delivered by those governments represent a $500 million enterprise." 

Could the governmental unification of the region bring about significant economic growth and change, and what would the "city" then look like? Could we adopt boroughs, like NYC, or suburbs like other places in the world? How would it work? Then, on the flipside, could it be detrimental?

Come share your opinions with Capital Gains on Wednesday, February 27, 2013, from 6:30pm-7:30pm, as they dissect this issue and talk to some folks who can share a thing or two about this topic. Though a place is yet to be determined, register here and they'll have more information in their next week's newsletter. The event is free and open to the public. Learn more at Capital Gains Speaker Series.   

Urban Housing Strategies and Grand Rapids Focus of Rapid Growth's Not Your Average Speaker Series

Quality housing choices are an integral part of urban and economic development. Cities like Grand Rapids need competitive and attractive housing options to entice homebuyers, renters and small business owners to support business districts, education, services, amenities and infrastructure. How is Grand Rapids faring in this arena? And what are some of the advantages and impediments to increasing residency within the City?

On Thursday, February 28, 2013, from 5:30pm-7pm, Rapid Growth will dive into this issue, including revitalization efforts, improvement districts, historic designations, affordable vs. market rate mix, what makes an area desirable/undesirable, and much more. Panelists for this event include:

• Tyler Nickerson from the Dyer-Ives Foundation;
• Kym Spring from the Kent County Renters Alliance;
• Diane Griffin from Griffin Properties; and
• Dave Allen from the Kent County Land Bank.

The panel will be moderated by Darel Ross of LINC Urban Revitalization.

This event is free and open to the public, and it will take place at the ICCF Assembly Hall, 920 Cherry Street in Grand Rapids (East Hills). Registration is available online. Learn more at Rapid Growth Speaker Series.

SPDC Faculty to Share Built Environment Expertise at MSU Campus Sustainability Research Symposium in March

The Michigan State University campus is a living lab to create a more sustainable community. On Thursday, March 21, 2013, from 3pm-5pm, the MSU Office of Campus Sustainability is hosting the Campus Sustainability Research Symposium in Gold Room B at the MSU Union in East Lansing. This event will highlight the projects they sponsored for 2011-2012, including:

• Study of carpooling decision-making;
• The effect of LEED buildings on behavior;
• Using food waste for energy generation;
• Reducing energy consumption in academic building environment; and
• Vermicomposting food waste with worms and horticulture in residential areas of campus.

Dr. Eunsil Lee, Dr. April Allen, and Christine Lockwood from the School of Planning, Design and Construction will present on their project, "Promoting Campus Sustainability, Aesthetics, Environmental Behavior and Well-Being by Transforming Built Environments." The project conducted a post-occupancy evaluation of the recently renovated Brody Square to systematically assess the actual building performance and environmental outcomes of green designs, including energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, interior space design, and effect on occupants.

Full descriptions and research briefs on the other projects are available online. This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. RSVPs are appreciated but not required. 

Come Together Focus of Upcoming Model D Speaker Series

Cities are constantly evolving places, and with change can come friction. Long-time residents can feel left out of new development, and new entrepreneurs can feel disconnected from the history of their community. This is a universal urban experience, not unique to Detroit. But here, where demographic shifts have resulted in profound racial and geographic polarization over generations, there is an opportunity to come together and be more intentional about creating a future we can all be excited about.

Forging this future begins with awareness--and humility. Are you open to listening and learning? If you're a new resident or business owner in Detroit, what should you know about your neighbors and neighborhood? If you've been here awhile, how can you help new folks feel welcome and included?

Join Model D on Tuesday, February 26, 2013, at 6 pm at 1515 Broadway in downtown Detroit for a frank conversation about race, business and intentionality. Speakers include:

• Adriel Thornton, FreshCorp and Wink;
• Lauren Hood, Center for Progressive Leadership;
• Jenny Lee, Allied Media Projects;
• Marsha Music, A Grown Woman's Tales from Detroit; and
• Hugh Yaro, Craft Work, Ronin and Commonwealth

This event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited, please register online in advance. Learn more at Model D Speaker Series.

Harnessing Volunteer Power Focus of Upcoming Concentrate Speaker Event

Maybe you've seen 826Michigan's storefront headquarters and writing center? It's on Liberty in downtown in Ann Arbor. Can't picture it? Okay, how about a hint: There are lots of robots. In fact, it's called the Liberty Street Robot Repair Store. What does that have to do with inspiring kids to write and offering after-school tutoring? Everything. 826Michigan is not only a thriving nonprofit that reaches into classrooms in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and, now, Detroit; it's an organization that understands the power that comes from establishing a unique "sense of place" and how to mobilize enthusiastic volunteers.

On Thursday, February 28, 2013, from 5:30pm-7:30pm, Concentrate's Speaker series has invited the organization's Executive Director Amanda Uhle to talk about how they attract and mobilize their volunteers, the challenges and opportunities the organization faces, and why having a robot repair store in downtown Ann Arbor is an intrinsic part of its success. This event is free and open to the public, and it will take place at The Bar at Braun Court (327 Braun Ct, Ann Arbor - across from Kerrytown). Seating is limited so RSVPs are requested. Learn more at Concentrate Speaker Event.

"Land Policy News" is an e-Newsletter published bi-monthly by the Land Policy Institute at Michigan State University. This e-Newsletter is intended to be an informational tool. Information in the newsletter not directly about the Land Policy Institute does not necessarily reflect the Institute's views, but is, instead, included because of its relationship to the Institute's mission and work.

If you would like to provide feedback on any of its content, or send content for inclusion, please email Heidi Charron at charron@landpolicy.msu.edu. Submissions of presentations, publications, event announcements, job postings and news regarding activities related to land use and prosperity can be sent at any time.

-----------------------------------------------------

The MSU Land Policy Institute is affiliated with the School of Planning, Design and Construction. The Institute is supported by Michigan State University's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and MSU Extension programs.

Calendar of Events

LPI events are highlighted in red.

Michigan Certified Natural Shoreline Professional Training - Brighton

Tuesday, February 19-Thursday, February 21, 2013

Kensington Metropark, Milford, MI

United Growth for Kent County Tuesday Series: Place-Based Education

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Eberhard Center, Campus of Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI

Monday, February 18-Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Quality Inn, St. Ignace, MI
 
LPI Event: 2013 Zoning Administrator Certificate Program - Four Days of Training

Tuesdays: February 26, March 5, 12 and 19, 2013

Conference Center, Oakland County Executive Office Building, Waterford, MI

Model D Speaker Series: Coming Together

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

1515 Broadway, Detroit, MI

Capital Gains Speaker Series: What Could a Unified Capital Region Look Like?

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Location TBA

Concentrate's Speaker Series: Harnessing Volunteer Power

Thursday, February 28, 2013

The Bar at Braun Court, Ann Arbor, MI

Rapid Growth's Not Your Average Speaker Series: Urban Housing Strategies and Grand Rapids

Thursday, February 28, 2013

ICCF Assembly Hall, Grand Rapids, MI

LPI's Entrepreneurial Communities Program Event: ICE Meetup

Wednesday, March 13, 2013
The Avenue Café, Lansing, MI

Public Policy Forum: Linking Michigan's Agricultural Industry to the World Economy

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Anderson House Office Building, Lansing, MI

MSU Campus Sustainability Research Symposium in March

Thursday, March 21, 2013

MSU Union, Campus of MSU, East Lansing, MI

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

MSU Union, East Lansing, MI

Sunday, April 14 - Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, Detroit, MI

MSU IPPSR Public Policy Forum Series: Emerging Issues regarding the Great Lakes 

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Anderson House Office Building, Lansing, MI

MSU IPPSR Public Policy Forum Series: Legal Barriers to Entrepreneurship in the D 

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Anderson House Office Building, Lansing, MI

Michigan Certified Natural Shoreline Professional Training - Paw Paw Exam/Field Demo

Michigan Certified Natural Shoreline Professional Training - Brighton Exam/Field Demo

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Location TBA, Paw Paw, MI 

For a complete list of events with details, go to LPI Events Calendar.