The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has recognized the singularity of Detroit, dubbing the motor city the country's first "City of Design."

"Detroit has become the first U.S. city to receive the 'city of design' designation from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization," reports Sherri Welch.
Forty-seven cities from 33 other countries have earned the title prior to Detroit. Designated cities exhibit "a strong legacy in one of seven creative fields, from gastronomy and literature to design," according to Welch.
Membership enables Detroit "to learn and exchange best practices from network cities worldwide, amplifying our existing efforts to build a better city and region through the power of design," according to Ellie Schneider, interim executive director of the Detroit Creative Corridor Center, as quoted in the article.
FULL STORY: Detroit first U.S. city to win UNESCO's 'city of design' designation

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City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research