News from Summer, Fall 2004

WebPolis debuts

Faculty members Norm Tyler and Yichun Xie announce the debut of Version 1.0 of WebPolis, a project they have been developing for over two years. WebPolis provides a wide range of online applications that are useful to planners and local officials, including its Economic Development Scenario Builder, Real Estate Financial Analysis, Infill Site Analysis, Consensus Builder, Discussion Forum, and Information Pages. It is now being tested with organizations such as the Ypsilanti Police Department, Ypsilanti Harriet Street Center, Albion Ismon House Community Center, Saline City Council, Heart of Michigan Planning Group, and also being utilized for Eastern Michigan University classes. For more information, contact Norm at ntyler@emich.edu

Cherry Hill Tour

Andre Stone, officer of PLACE, led a student tour of Cherry Hill Village in Canton Township, a New Urbanist community still being built. It is a wonderful real example of New Urbanist principles. Cherry Hill Village is located at the junction of Ridge Road and Cherry Hill Rd. on the western edge of Canton Twp. There was a wealth of information available about the Village, and just walking through this development was an eye-opener.

This note came from PLACE President Andrew Armbruster.

Rouge Tour

PLACE recently led a tour of the newly renovated Ford Rouge Center in Dearborn. This was the first excursion under the new PLACE executive board, and it was a resounding success. Thanks goes out to the many people who attended, and to the Rouge for being our gracious hosts. Look forward to the next PLACE excursion coming to you in early July... PLACE welcomes anyone who is interested in learning more about Detroit, this unique and complex metropolitan area where things are never as absolute as they are (too often) perceived to be. We look forward to seeing you next month, stay tuned...