The Villages : Features

From June 24-26, over 200 business and community leaders from four cities are gathering in Detroit to discuss how to increase entrepreneurial activity and connectivity in distressed neighborhoods so that the local innovation economy does not leave anyone behind.

Do you believe in the power of small business to restore community? If so, you might be a localist. Here are three simple suggestions for how to contribute to the localist movement in a meaningful, holistic way.

Walk Score just released its rankings of America's most walkable cities. The list contained good news for Motor City pedestrians: Detroit's Walk Score is up 2.2 points since 2011.

For the working poor, it's not enough to be employed. An innovative program is helping people reach financial stability by learning how to manage their money.

Detroit's musical legacy is indisputable. Its future as a music capital, however, is uncertain. Here are 13 ways the city can help cement its legacy for decades to come.

Building a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) economy is widely seen as a pathway to prosperity. So what would it take to make Southeast Michigan a STEM Hub? Dr. Tonya Matthews, CEO of the Michigan Science Center, has a few ideas, starting with putting people first.

Chris Grindem argues that Detroit's leaders must engage with a specific group of Millennials, the city's emerging leaders, and their vision of a new American Dream. Why? Because they are convinced Detroit is in a unique, once-in-a-lifetime position to help define the future of American cities.

In a culture so consumed by digital devices and virtual experiences, how can the natural world compete for students' attention? We talk with David Sobel, architect of place-based education, to find out.

The Motor City Mapping project captured vital information on the condition of each of Detroit's 375,000+ parcels. It may have also created a template for citywide collaboration.

A building's visual order can have an inordinate impact on a community, which is why a number of area community development organizations have used façade improvement programs to battle blight and spur neighborhood economic development.

To help inform Detroiters looking to acquire vacant land, The Greening of Detroit, Michigan Community Resources, and the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights have collaborated in developing a series of workshops called "Land Forum."

It's no secret that young professionals have gravitated to Detroit's urban center in recent years, but what happens when they start having kids? Nina Misuraca Ignaczak spoke with some families who have made the commitment to stay and raise their kids in the city.

For generations, Belle Island has been a fair weather destination for families with kids. This year, improvements to the island and expanded hours at a few of its institutions make it an even better spot for kids to play. Amy Kuras has the scoop.

Many immigrants and refugees in Southeast Michigan left professional careers behind when they left their native countries. Global Detroit tells us about Upwardly Global, a program that helps immigrants adapt professional skills learned abroad to the workplace in Metro Detroit.

This is Walter Wasacz's last issue as managing editor of Model D. He waxes sentimental about his predecessors, talks about what's next for him professionally and even declares the coming season "a summer of love."