December 2014

From 1986 to 2011, we have seen code reform (yellow dots) and sustainability (green dots) themes surged in MICD case studies. A decline in economic development-related projects (red dots) during the 25-year period, however, does not necessarily mean that the issue was relegated. On the contrary, mayors and cities are now taking multi-pronged approach and addressing economic development comprehensively through a host of tools and strategies, such as policy reform, sustainability, neighborhood revitalization, mobility and transit, etc... Continue reading

After looking at the snapshot of all 951 case study projects that 898 mayors from 532 cities brought to MICD from 1986 to 2011, we now parse the observed trends by decade. When Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. returned from an inspirational study trip to Europe in 1986, he wondered how he could pass on the lessons learned about city planning and urban design to other mayors throughout the country. Mayor Riley met with the former Dean of the University of Virginia School of Architecture Jacqueline Robertson, former Design Director of the National Endowment for the Arts Adele Chatfield-Taylor... Continue reading

When MICD celebrated its 25^th year anniversary in 2011, we thought it would be a good time to reflect on what has been accomplished in the past two-and-a-half decades. What better way to do that than peruse each and every case study project, city, and mayor that has participated in the program? We quickly got to work by coding each case study project and generating these wonderful infographics that reveal fascinating insights about the urban planning and city design trends in America from 1986 to 2011.... Continue reading

At The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) 2012 Annual Meeting in Orlando, Vice President Joe Biden addressed the attendees and, in describing the importance of our nation's mayors said, "You can't have a healthy, thriving country without thriving cities." At the Mayors' Institute on City Design (MICD), we understand and support the important role that cities and mayors play in the success of our great nation... Continue reading