Planning and Development Department

The City of Detroit’s Planning and Development Department (PDD) aims to build a city secure in its future, grounded in its roots and hopeful in its present. A world Class and inclusive planning & development department that sets the standard for equitable and innovative large city planning.

Mission

To improve Detroiters quality of life through:

• Meaningful Engagement
• Strategic Planning
• Thoughtful Preservation
• Equitable Development

Engaging the Community

Community engagement is critical to the work of the Planning & Development Department. For each Neighborhood Framework Plan, conversations with community stakeholders and residents play an essential role in developing recommendations for development and revitalization projects. 

While each study has a slightly different approach, the process includes: 

• A series of public community meetings to share thoughts, feedback, and discuss concerns with residents
• A comprehensive communications strategy to keep residents updated, utilizing email newsletters, print mailings, door-to-door canvassing, surveys, and more
• Regularly convening groups of community leaders to advise and consult on the framework plan
• Meeting residents in smaller focus groups and listening sessions for more in-depth conversations 
• Holding regular office hours during which residents can ask questions and share concerns
• 1-on-1 conversations with residents 
• Partnering with existing institutions to set up additional places for engagement

As a result of these strategies, we aim to accomplish the following through all of our work:

1. Meet people where they are
2. Be clear and accessible – no jargon!
3. Make engagement fun and interesting
4. Build a strong and meaningful neighborhood presence

Click here for PDDs remote engagement guidelines

Click here for more information about our Neighborhood Framework Planning efforts

Joe Louis Greenway Planning Framework