Green Detroit: Why the City Is Ground Zero for the Sustainability Movement

This article by Metro Time's founder Ron Williams articulates so much of my hopes for the City of Detroit and my concerns about the "Green" movement:.

Green Detroit: Why the City Is Ground Zero for the Sustainability Movement | Economy | AlterNet

Image Credit: shorpy.com

GOOD Magazine The Neighborhood Issue

New to me is GOOD Magazine, which has been around since 2006. GOOD is a quarterly concern which focuses on good ideas, and covers business, cities, culture, design, education, environment, food, health, media, politics, technology, and transportation. The website includes a forum where readers can contribute and engage.

The current issue focuses on neighborhoods, bringing together a lot of urban planning theory and common-sense good ideas to create a graphically beautiful, engaging piece. The volume includes a "Good Guide to Better Neighborhoods" includes twelve ideas, including the standard (plant a community garden, throw a block party),  novel (create a neighborhood clubhouse, find a third place), and timely ideas (squatting in a foreclosed home).

I highly recommend the issue, website and blog.

Issue 019 - GOOD Magazine - GOOD

Michigan Green Leaders

Just in time for Earth Day,  Detroit Free Press has a Sunday spread on Michigan Green Leaders, highlighting individuals who are leading the way to a brighter, greener future in the state. I am fortunate to know and work with several of these individuals.  They are all truly visionaries. View a slideshow here.


Image Credit: Detroit Free Press

Obscura Day 2010 on Vimeo

Obscura Day 2010 from Dylan D. Thuras on Vimeo.


Obcura Day, 2010, was a rousing success with 80 events. Detroit's Heidelburg Project was featured, along with other "wonders, curiosities, and esoterica" across the globe. See the atlasobscura website for more info on this event and website's celebration of place.

Debunking the Mythology

Finally, videos, images and a written summary of the Our Detroit Story conference us available here. Start debunking the myths!

Speaking of mythology, I had never before seen this video, about the mythological Detroit Riots of 1967 which are blamed for initiating the demise of Detroit. Wow. (Thanks Jen.) OK I see what all the Sam Roberts buzz is about. Pretty fascinating imagery mixed in with a solid bluesy song.

And if you really want to dive in deep, come face to face with Detroit as it really is, you can either take the twelve hour tour of the Detroit Orientation Institute, or jump on a Segway tour (I plan to very soon). Both tour are available through Inside Detroit.

Image Credit: The Detroit News Hub

A Ten Year Vision for Detroit

The Freep's Sunday Editorial section featured a spread summarizing various items coming  together to deliver a  "smaller, smarter, greener" city in ten years. Mitch Albom's poetic piece begins:

"In my Detroit, a decade from now, there are no blocks with one burned-out house. Those eyesores have been leveled. Grass and trees have taken their place."

I would have liked to see a few additions to Albom's column and to the featured map (which should not have yellowed out the suburbs and Windsor, Canada.

I would add the following:

In my Detroit, the hundreds of autonomous suburban municipalities and school districts have merged services to become more efficient and effective.


In my Detroit, the City and every suburb have adopted and implemented sustainability plans which outline how they are going to reduce greenhouse gases, conserve water, create and preserve green infrastructure, and reduce solid waste.

In my Detroit, Belle Isle has been restored to its former grandeur, and the Belle Isle Aquarium has been re-opened and expanded, featuring top-notch exhibits and programs about the Great Lakes and the Detroit River.


In my Detroit, the City and suburbs collaborate and cooperate because they know it is in their mutual best interest to do so.

MORE HERE