Stakeholders in Michigan have bought in to the innovation district concept.
"Last week, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. announced the launch of the Michigan Design Council, a public-private advisory board that will look for ways to help cement Michigan's position as the top spot in the country for industrial or product design talent," reports Sherri Welch.
"The council plans in the coming year to look at establishing a statewide design prize and a design district or 'mecca' in Detroit, sort of a 'Hollywood' for industrial designers," according to Welch.
There are not yet details about how the Michigan Economic Development Corp. could create a district to achieve its goals, but are there are local efforts already underway in Detroit that could pave the way for their work.
Welch notes, for instance, that work of the Detroit Creative Corridor Center "to knit together various creative clusters in a seven-mile area of Detroit" and an announcement last summer by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan to designate an innovation district for the "area stretching up Woodward Avenue from the riverfront to New Center."
FULL STORY: New council aims to solidify Michigan as creative hub

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Crime Continues to Drop on Philly, San Francisco Transit Systems
SEPTA and BART both saw significant declines in violent crime in the first quarter of 2025.

How South LA Green Spaces Power Community Health and Hope
Green spaces like South L.A. Wetlands Park are helping South Los Angeles residents promote healthy lifestyles, build community, and advocate for improvements that reflect local needs in historically underserved neighborhoods.

Sacramento Plans ‘Quick-Build’ Road Safety Projects
The city wants to accelerate small-scale safety improvements that use low-cost equipment to make an impact at dangerous intersections.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service