Land

Authors “Canvas Detroit” for art’s impact on the urban environment

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In “Canvas Detroit,” Nichole Christian and Julie Pincus profile the Motor City’s brightest and most diverse of up and coming street artists. From murals on boulevards to grass sculptures, their work can actively improve the urban environment and shine a light on previously ignored and abandoned cityscapes. Detroit is a city that needs “problem solving,” Christian says, and art won’t solve it all. But the city is fostering a wickedly creative atmosphere that is ripe for revitalization. ­Christian recently explained to Great Lakes Echo the importance of street art and how it can revitalize a city.

Land

Landscope: Grand Rapids growth

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In this installment of our “Landscope” series, get a bird’s eye view of the western Michigan city of Grand Rapids – and its evolution from farming town to one of the most popular cities for young professionals.

Land

Landscope: Southfield explosion

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Now a booming suburb of Metro Detroit, Southfield has come a long way from a small agricultural town.

The city grew from around 18,500 residents in 1950 to more than 78,000 residents in 2000 before declining to 71,758 residents by 2010.

This increase was due to the growth of suburbs, where fresh air and having your own backyard was advertised by real estate agencies, as opposed to city living, where housing was crowded and dense.

Echo

Architect-futurist: Think locally, act locally

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Architect-futurist: Think locally, act locally by Great Lakes Echo

For more than 30-years, Andrés Duany has sought to end suburban sprawl and urban disinvestment, both in American cities and around the world. Duany is credited with advancing the design aesthetic known as “New Urbanism.”  The New Urbansim movement urges people to  move beyond 20th century thinking,  focusing on ideas that don’t cost money. Another important aspect of Duany’s aesthetic is climate change. He says that there is no evidence that the world will “beat” climate change and because of this western society will enter into a period of demoralization.  Duany believes the way to avoid this depressing state is to act locally.  

 

 

 

 

Land

Re-leaf Duluth seeks to restore the environment

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By Daniel Badhwa

The city of Duluth, Minn. has launched a new program to restore and plant more trees in urban neighborhoods. Trees have disappeared from Duluth due to higher energy costs, pollution and unhealthy growing environments. The city of Duluth established the Re-Leaf program three years ago after setting aside a $5,000 annual budget to re-leaf the city. Urban trees provide shade for houses and businesses and soak up rainwater to lessen polluted runoff into lakes and streams. To many people though, urban trees simply provide a more pleasant living environment.

Recreation

Duluth man rebuilds city’s trails

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Dan Procter has spent seven years restoring Duluth’s Chester Park Trails using nothing more than hand tools. After recent flooding, Procter was the only man up for the task of repairing the damage. The main trail has since been named after him, and members of the Duluth community reflect on his hard work and inspiring attitude.