This commentary, written for Deadline and originally published Jan. 4, is by the host committee co-chairman for a national conference starting here Wednesday. The author is an architect who's co-founder and president of Archive Design Studio in downtown Detroit, as well as a co-owner of Pure Detroit stores, Rowland Cafe and Stella Good Coffee Cafe.
By Mark Nickita
Detroit is at center stage in this year's Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU), an international gathering of designers, planners, policymakers, educators and developers.
CNU, based in Chicago, has been a leading organization for city design innovations for more than a quarter-century. Its founders and many others worked collaboratively with experts of the built environment to develop numerous concepts that have changed urban planning in countries around the world.
A critical element is the annual Congress, where urban thinkers, specialists and members of the organization come together to present, discuss and develop ideas that shape the places where we live.
The event has taken place in various North American cities since starting in Alexandria, Va., in 1993. This Wednesday through Saturday, Detroit hosts the 24th gathering – which we call CNU24.
Detroit is chosen because it’s one of the most intriguing cities in the world.
After many years of challenges, setbacks, bankruptcy and corruption, it’s clearly on the way toward a reinvention -- hence this year’s theme: The Transforming City.
Global interest in Detroit
Detroit has gone through numerous phases during its 314 years as a city, and its current evolution is creating the Next Detroit.
From the recognition of its industrial and manufacturing past to noting the many innovations that Detroit has ushered into society, the city has played an important part in the history of the modern world. All of these unique characteristics contribute to a fascination with Detroit that many people from around the world share.
The annual Congress explores ways to make our built environment better for people to live, work and play. As with all of the previous gatherings, this one will focus on the local aspects of the host city -- starting with its location along Madison Avenue and Broadway Street downtown.
Mark Nickita: "Detroit is chosen because it’s one of the most intriguing cities in the world."
(Facebook photo)
This Congress will be distinctive by taking place in numerous venues within the Madison Avenue and Grand Circus Park district. It’s a specifically urban-oriented event.
Where delegates will meet and stroll
The gathering spaces, plenary discussions and breakout sessions will take place in historic venues such as the Detroit Opera House, Gem Theater, Century Club and Fillmore Theater, among others. (Details are here.)
This pedestrian-centric, urban experience is fitting. CNU focuses largely on creating walkable cities with scale, services and amenities that put people first.
Topics include:
- Non-motorized infrastructure and transit
- Mixed-use developments
- Historic building projects
- Public spaces
- Small-scale development
Urban farms, neighborhood upgrades
Detroit's current evolution, innovations and projects also will be highlighted, including the M-1 rail and Woodward Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Dequindre Cut, RiverWalk, Arena District, housing in greater downtown, urban agriculture concepts and neighborhood initiatives throughout the city.
The excitement for a Detroit CNU is significant and growing. It’s a great time for 1,500 architects, engineers, developers, elected officials, planners, scholars, civic activists and students to see and study America's premier transforming city.
The Congress in Detroit is an ideal showcase for new urban development ideas being put into practice.
Related coverage:
The Lessons of Detroit: Urban Visionaries Come to See 'The Transforming City,' June 6
