Winter Institute 2020 - Equitable Development

December 4, 2020 | Virtual Event

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MAP’s 2020 Spring (for this year, Winter) Institute delivers the national experts, state leaders, and local stories that reveal the solutions we can scale to our own communities. 

The post-recession rate of economic rebound over the last decade in Michigan municipalities varied across the state, and progress will be further stymied by the COVID pandemic.  But all communities are similarly effected by decades long lack of urban policy, and  reduced federal and state support for cities.  While interventions like placemaking, tax abatements and incentives, and the RRC program might nudge investment, we must look  holistically at how we grow our cities and towns into places where economic prosperity is inclusive. Planners can influence state and local development policy by demanding a shift in practice to be more equitable and inclusive, by contemporizing master plans to amplify equity and inclusion, and by thinking creatively to innovate.  Intentional  planning can help ensure that economic development efforts yield positive results for all residents. 

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6 AICP Certification Maintenance Credits 

6 Master Citizen Planner Continuing Education Credits

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Welcome | Overview | Opening Remarks

Andrea Brown, AICP, Executive Director Michigan Association of Planning  |   Sarah Lucas, AICP, President, Michigan Association of Planning 

.25 AICP CM Credits

Planner’s Tools for Equity | Opening Keynote

Chris Coes of Smart Growth America

Christopher Coes is the Vice President for Land Use and Development at Smart Growth America and is a nationally recognized leader in leveraging public policy, the private sector and community assets to build equitable, sustainable communities. For nearly a decade, Christopher has worked with communities pursue sustainable and equitable economic development and has facilitated over $1 billion in new smart growth real estate deals. He will discuss one of the toughest challenges facing the built environment today --- how to achieve a more equitable and just society through land use and zoning.

1.0 AICP CM Credits

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation's New Focus on Equitable Investment | 

General Session

Amanda Bright McClanahan, MEDC Chief Operating Officer 

In Fall 2019, the MEDC adopted a new strategic plan with a significant focus on equitable investment and the effort to drive equitable pathways toward high-wage growth by enabling industries, communities and businesses that provide opportunities for all. Since the adoption of this plan, it has become increasingly apparent how important it is for us to find ways to create a more equitable and resilient economy for all Michiganders, particularly in the wake of this global pandemic. Learn how the MEDC is unlocking opportunities for diverse and emerging developers, among other updates to help ensure the state’s economy will be even more equitable and prosperous for all.

0.5 AICP CM Credits

Catalyzing City Centers for Economic Equity | Keynote 

Matt Wagner, National Trust for Historic Preservation

For 40 years, the National Main Street Center (NMSC) has focused on the revitalization of America’s downtowns and urban neighborhood commercial districts.  Over this time, much progress has been made, with billions in private and public investments, small business growth, and an explosion of living opportunities.  Join us in hearing how NMSC, through the intersection of research, content development, and network engagement, has embarked on an introspective journey to improve upon its approach by ensuring that revitalization vision and benefits are for and open to everyone.

1.0 AICP CM Credits

The Social Equity Impact Protocol

Marc Norman, Associate Professor, University of Michigan 

Many evaluative tools for measuring economic, environmental and social progress have been put forward to create better buildings, better outcomes and more equitable development.   This protocol is a work in progress for evaluating the social impacts of housing redevelopment and guiding socially-minded stakeholders. The protocol offers  a baseline assessment which is agreed through dialog and research to measure redevelopment against stated missions, visions, and ethics commitments. The hope is to reorient planning and decision-making in the redevelopment process toward co-power and, where relevant, reparations to  acknowledge the accumulated traumas of past displacement and the on-going disparities of multi-generational social and economic disconnection and disinvestment.

1.0 AICP CM Credits

Equity in All Plans

Dr. Carolyn Loh, Wayne State University Professor of Urban and Regional Planning  | Christina Anderson, AICP, City of Kalamazoo | Kathleen Kline-Hudson, AICP, Livingston County | Bonnie Wessler, AICP, City of Ypsilanti

Dr. Carolyn Loh, Wayne State University planning professor and member of MAP's Social Equity Committee, developed and launched an equity audit in late 2019 to gather information about how Michigan planners are integrating equity into master plans.  The results are in!  Learn about what we learned, and concrete steps you can take locally.  We'll highlight 3 Michigan  communities who will share how they are committed to articulating their community values through planning vision and policy.

1.5 AICP CM Credits 

Debrief and Discuss | Moderated Breakout Rooms

.75 AICP CM

Stick around to debrief and discuss take-aways from the day’s sessions, and close the day with a game plan to move your community forward.  Moderated breakout rooms to facilitate small group conversations will culminate with a full group discussion.