The new initiative will fund crowdsourced mobility solutions.
Ford's third City of Tomorrow Challenge begins this month in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The initiative takes the form of "a pitch-off for community-sourced ideas" to improve mobility and congestion in the city, Timothy Seppala explains in Engadget.
Residents shouldn't expect a resurrected streetcar network in the city, but bike-sharing kiosks, more bike lanes and wider sidewalks are probably safe bets ... The Challenge [will also] accept ideas that use infrastructure and transportation data to enable "smart transportation choices."
The winning two teams will receive $100,000 to pilot their ideas, with funding provided by companies including AT&T, Dell, and Microsoft, as well as the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's PlanetM mobility initiative.
The challenge's launch comes shortly after Ford announced that it would create an innovation hub at the Michigan Central Station in Detroit. The company has also launched City of Tomorrow initiatives in Miami and Pittsburgh.
FULL STORY: Ford's next 'City of Tomorrow' is Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids Mayor Proposes Garage Conversion Plan
The mayor says allowing homeowners to convert garages to dwelling units could alleviate the city’s housing shortage.
Empower LA: The LA2050 Grants Challenge
The 2025 LA2050 Grants Challenge invites organizations to become outreach partners and help mobilize Angelenos to vote on how $1 million in grants will be allocated to address key local issues like homelessness, income inequality, and park access.
NHTSA Launches Investigations Into Two More Self-Driving Automakers
The federal agency is responding to reports of crashes and erratic behavior from Waymo and Zoox vehicles.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Understanding Road Diets
An explainer from Momentum highlights the advantages of reducing vehicle lanes in favor of more bike, transit, and pedestrian infrastructure.
New California Law Regulates Warehouse Pollution
A new law tightens building and emissions regulations for large distribution warehouses to mitigate air pollution and traffic in surrounding communities.
Phoenix Announces Opening Date for Light Rail Extension
The South Central extension will connect South Phoenix to downtown and other major hubs starting on June 7.
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.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
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