Planning and Development Department

We help plan for the city’s future.

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 state. The vision of PDD’s mission is a healthy and beautiful Detroit, built on inclusionary growth, economic opportunity, and an atmosphere of trust.

Vision

  1. That every citizen has the right to live in a socially, environmentally and economically healthy community.
  2. That Detroit is blessed with a rich history and tremendous physical assets with opportunities for historic and environmental preservation.
  3. That the potential of the City will be best realized by embracing the broadest, most far-reaching and inclusive vision of what is possible.
  4. That citizen engagement strengthens decisions and generates confidence in the future.

Goals

A healthy and beautiful Detroit, that is built on inclusionary growth and economic opportunity in an atmosphere of trust.

Mission

To build a city secure in its future, grounded in its roots, and hopeful in its present.

Engaging the Community

Community engagement is critical to the work in the Planning & Development Department (PDD). 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, ask for 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 who can share insights about a specific aspect of the neighborhood plan 
  • Partnering with existing institutions (local businesses, farmer’s markets, etc.) 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 more information about our Neighborhood Framework Planning efforts

Click here for PDDs remote engagement guidelines

 

Joe Louis Greenway Planning Study

 

Neighborhood Framework Plans - Completed In Process

Planning and Development Department Map Sept 2024