Revitalizing Communities

Small Town Design Initiative

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Warren J. Rauhe, Director, Small Town Design Initiative and Associate Professor, Landscape Architecture Program, School of Planning, Design, and Construction

Many Michigan communities face serious environmental and economic development challenges. Responding to these challenges, the Small Town Design Initiative (STDI) assists small communities with populations of 500 to 15,000 with physical environmental design ideas for community development and land use. Rauhe and Landscape Architecture students meet with community members and local organization leaders to identify the features most desired for the neighborhood and local businesses. After several iterations of design presentations by the students, the group presents a series of final design ideas that the community can use to work with their own staff, consultants, and local groups to secure funding and turn the ideas into reality. A companion initiative, the Community Design Program, is available to communities with populations over 15,000.

Read a full description of this initiative.

View the Small Town Design Initiative Web site.

Source: Based on materials on the STDI Web site, related documents, and input from Warren J. Rauhe.

Read other examples of outreach and engagement