Over the last two decades, public space renewal in downtown Detroit, as in other cities, has undergone phases of experimentation in response to emerging phenomena that put pressure on existing governance models. This includes most notably “metropolitanization,” referring to the increasing geographical scales of interdependence developing in response to the stalemate coming from increasing partisan bickering and shrinking subsidies that have negatively impacted the provision of public services at local levels. New public space governance models based on a large range of partnership forms have emerged in this context and in response to the need to reimagine urban identities, which are critical in ensuring global competitiveness.

Argument

Over the last two decades, public space renewal in downtown Detroit, as in other cities, has undergone phases of experimentation in response to emerging phenomena that put pressure on existing governance models. This includes most notably “metropolitanization,” referring to the increasing geographical scales of interdependence developing in response to the stalemate coming from increasing partisan bickering and shrinking subsidies that have negatively impacted the provision of public services at local levels. New public space governance models based on a large range of partnership forms have emerged in this context and in response to the need to reimagine urban identities, which are critical in ensuring global competitiveness. The introduction of business improvement districts (BIDs) has been key in creating an armature for diversifying the principle urban actors and financing sources involved in public space renewal and creation. BIDs are therefore an interesting case study for investigating the potentials and limits of governance model shifts in the renewal of downtown public spaces. Presentations, lighting talks, a round table discussion, and a keynote lecture will investigate three main themes linked to emerging public space practices in BIDs in North America: governance, design, and programming.

Program

Welcome!

• Dan Pitera, FAIA, Dean, University of Detroit Mercy, School of Architecture and Community Development
• Research Overview
• Tricia Meehan, PhD, Associate Professor, ENSA Normandie / ATE

Session 1. Building Networks

Moderator, Barbara Knecht, Principal, Strategies for Cities

• Janet Attarian, Principal, SmithGroup, Place + Mobility: Leveraging Infrastructure Improvements to Create Stronger Commercial Districts
• Philip Barash, Past Fellow, Boston Foundation, The Care of Place: How an Equitable Place Management Initiative in Boston Strengthened Social Infrastructure and Built Shared Power
• Andreas Leuscher, PhD, Professor, Bowling Green State University & Sujata Shetty, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Toledo, Private Investment in the Design and Governance of the Public Realm: Downtown Toledo, Ohio

Session 2. Crossing Thresholds

Moderator, Virginia Stanard, Associate Professor, Univeristy of Detroit Mercy

• Conrad Kickert, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Buffalo, BIDs Beyond Business as Usual: Post-Transactional Storefront Futures
• Brian Rebain, RA, Principal, Kraemer Design Group, Case Studies of Public/Private Interface at the Building Façade

Lightning Talks

Moderator, Conard Kickert, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Buffalo

• Simon David, Landscape Architect (PLA), Founding Principal OSD | Outside, Making Social Streets Endemic: Lessons from the Pandemic
• Noah Resnick, AIA, Professor, University of Detroit Mercy, Mix-Tape Zoning
• Haley Schultheis, Challenge Detroit Fellow, Business Improvement Districts in the Role of Continuum Care

Session 3. Testing Scenarios

Moderator, Kenneth Kokroko, Landscape Architect (PLA, ASLA), Assistant Professor, University of Arizona

• Dorian Moore, FAIA, Vice-President, Archive Design Studio, Finding Transformative Spaces through Blurring Academic Boundaries
• Glenda Puente, AIA, Glenda Puente|Architect, Avenue 3 Miami
• Brett Weidl, Landscape Architect (PLA), SmithGroup Transforming Car Space to People Space: How the 2020’s are reshaping Urban Landscapes in the City of Chicago

Roundtable Discussion: Actors’ Perspective

Moderator, Charles Cross, Landscape Architect (ASLA), Detroit Collaborative Design Center

• Gina Cavaliere, Downtown Detroit Partnership
• Meagan Elliot, City of Detroit
• Mark Wallace, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy

Keynote Lecture

• Jerry Mitchell, PhD, Professor, School of Public and International Affairs, The City University of New York, The Past, Present and Future of Business Improvement Districts

Steering Committee

• Tadd Heidgerken, RA, Associate Professor, University of Detroit Mercy, School of Architecture and Community Development
• Tricia Meehan, PhD, Associate Professor, École nationale supérieure d’architecture de Normandie / ATE
• Virginia Stanard, Associate Professor, University of Detroit Mercy, School of Architecture and Community Development

Peer Review Committee

• Jay Cephas, PhD, Assistant Professor, Princeton University School of Architecture  
• Conrad Kickert, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Buffalo 
• Barbara Knecht, RA, Principal, Strategies for Cities 
• Kenneth Kokroko, PLA, Assistant Professor, University of Arizona 
• Jerry Mitchell, PhD, Professor, School of Public and International Affairs, The City University of New York

Research Assistants

Matteo Marrocco & Juan Munoz-Ponce, Students, University of Detroit Mercy, School of Architecture and Community Development

Registration

Zoom Registration : https://udmercy-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwtcO-pqjIsEtD_BLC2VQPVmx4Il5wmL-Bp