Big news from Michigan

The administration of Republican Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder launched a program in April that ties placemaking to economic development and has the potential for far-reaching impact. The MIplace Initiative uses the mixed-use neighborhood as a development model, according to James Tischler, of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). The program has education, implementation, and policy aspects, and officials want to marshal “A significant amount of state, regional, local and private resources ... to make significant physical change in a relatively short period of time (such as 2-6 years).” See June BCT issue and article.

For more in-depth coverage: 

• Subscribe to Better! Cities & Towns to read all of the articles (print+online) on implementation of greener, stronger, cities and towns.

• See the June 2012 issue of Better! Cities & Towns.Topics: Michigan placemaking initiative, Affordable housing around transit, Unnoticed New Urbanism, Housing pressures in Massachusetts city, LA looks at displacement, Waiting for the recovery, Running bike-share, Homeownership and TND, Live-work planning, the Great Inversion, Freeway teardown, Columbia Town Center.

• Get New Urbanism: Best Practices Guide, packed with more than 800 informative photos, plans, tables, and other illustrations, this book is the best single guide to implementing better cities and towns.