Very nice piece! Completely agree that we need a new strategy, but I would argue it needs to tie land use in with economic development. Michigan’s current state economic development policy, and the ethos that exists in most cities, places a high value on placemaking. Cities across the state are putting a great deal of effort into making their downtowns more people friendly, retooling their streets to be more ‘complete’, and improving recreational amenities that heighten quality of life. One of the biggest challenges to these efforts (besides Headlee stifling municipal revenues and Proposal A discouraging new investment) is what is happening outside of their boundaries.

Runaway sprawl growing year after year outside of Michigan cities big and small, dilutes spending, spreads out wealth, and increases the public service and infrastructure cost footprint. An expanding metro footprint is justified, to some extent, where there is population growth. There are a number of Michigan metros, including our biggest, that have not had appreciable population growth but have continued to spread out, unabated. Is it any wonder cities in and near the middle struggle to sustain basic services let alone have the resources to properly invest in ‘human’ amenities?

Michigan has statewide economic development oversight through MEDC. They also plan transportation on a state-wide basis through MDOT. Its time to re-establish a state planning commission to understand how land use patterns affect the other two. Other states, like Minnesota and Colorado, have succeeded economically not just because of their economic policy, but also because their sound land use laws support economic growth, not work against it.