This weekend saw the launch of yet another Open Streets event modeled on the successes of similar car-free street events in cities like Bogotá, Portland, Los Angeles, and Detroit. But what was slightly different this time was the size of the town involved. Owosso sits in the middle of Michigan agricultural land and has a… Continue reading The Debut of Open Streets Owosso: PHOTO ESSAY
Tag: Michigan
Chamber of Commerce Bullies Michigan’s Capital to Reverse Sanctuary City Vote
Less than two weeks after unanimously voting to be on the right side of history, late Wednesday night Lansing, Michigan’s city council reconvened to reverse their vote echoing an executive order by mayor Virg Bernero upon the demand of the local Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. To the shock of everyone… Continue reading Chamber of Commerce Bullies Michigan’s Capital to Reverse Sanctuary City Vote
Is America Ready for Its Own Arab Spring?
Well, the nightmare we knew was coming is finally here. Donald Trump is in charge of America. In a matter of hours he proved just how belligerent his administration will be towards workers, women, scientists, and immigrants alike. Yes this nightmare is now reality, and no amount of drinking will change that. I know, I… Continue reading Is America Ready for Its Own Arab Spring?
The Debut of Open Streets Detroit: PHOTO ESSAY
This Sunday saw the much anticipated Detroit debut of the popular city event series known as Open Streets. Taking a page from similar events like Portland’s Sunday Parkways or LA’s CicLAvia, Open Streets has pushed more metropolises return street use from automobiles back to human beings. The idea is hardly radical considering the ways in which urban… Continue reading The Debut of Open Streets Detroit: PHOTO ESSAY
Yes, We’re Still Going Broke Subsidizing Sprawl
Over the last couple years I’ve critiqued the ways urbanists have promoted unaffordable hi-rise condos as being somehow sustainable, how they’ve perverted notions of density and equity for PR purposes with the ultimate goal of making money in real estate. It’s true, making cities so unaffordable that workers can no longer live there is a mistake.… Continue reading Yes, We’re Still Going Broke Subsidizing Sprawl
The Muskegon Streetcar Riot of 1919
Americans like to riot, for better or worse. Better when there’s a just cause, worse when it’s over sports, or pumpkins. With mass media though, a single burning gas station can be looped for hours, giving the impression of mass chaos, as was the case in Baltimore, when in fact that uprising was timid in… Continue reading The Muskegon Streetcar Riot of 1919
Gov. Snyder Delivers State of the State Surrounded by Thousands Demanding His Arrest
When urban geographer David Harvey published Rebel Cities in 2012 he proposed, “The right to the city is far more than the individual liberty to access urban resources: it is a right to change ourselves by changing the city, [to] exercise collective power to reshape the processes of urbanization.” Today, groups like the Right to the City Coalition focus mainly on housing justice… Continue reading Gov. Snyder Delivers State of the State Surrounded by Thousands Demanding His Arrest
Flint Water Warriors Occupy Capitol to Demand Gov. Snyder Resign
The people of Flint are pissed off, and they have every reason to be. What dithered for over a year as a local story has finally hit prime time thanks to talking heads like Rachel Maddow and Michael Moore‘s campaign to #ArrestGovSnyder, which gathered 85,000 signatures in just days. For anyone unfamiliar, Governor Rick Snyder’s appointed ’emergency manager’… Continue reading Flint Water Warriors Occupy Capitol to Demand Gov. Snyder Resign
Slow Rolling In the Motor City: PHOTO ESSAY
On a recent visit to my home state of Michigan, I was lucky enough to be able to check out Detroit’s ‘Slow Roll‘ mass ride. Started five years ago by two friends, Slow Roll has turned into a thousands-strong spectacle that takes over Motown streets for 30 weeks out of the year, with the city’s blessing.… Continue reading Slow Rolling In the Motor City: PHOTO ESSAY