Symposium Tours
Tours take place on the afternoons of October 10 & 11. Please register for tours in advance.
East Detroit Learning Journey
The East Detroit Learning Journey offered an immersive exploration of the city's evolving landscape. Attendees engaged with site visits, panel discussions, and case studies highlighting best practices in community development. Led by expert guides and featuring voices from local entrepreneurs, innovators, and organizations, the journey delved into Detroit’s history and ongoing transformations, inspiring new ideas for community-driven change.
West Detroit Learning Journey
The West Detroit Learning Journey provided an in-depth look at urban development and community empowerment in this dynamic area. Through site visits, panel discussions, and case studies, attendees gained insight into how West Detroit’s unique history influences its current evolution. With guidance from lifelong residents and grassroots leaders, participants learned how history, policy, and innovation shape the city’s future, offering valuable perspectives to inspire action in their own communities.
Preview the Joe Louis Greenway
The Joe Louis Greenway tour took participants through Detroit, Highland Park, Hamtramck, and Dearborn, offering an exclusive look at the early stages of this transformative urban project. Local residents and business owners shared insights into the greenway’s development, showcasing its potential to connect communities and revitalize neighborhoods. This tour highlighted the power of infrastructure reuse to build a more connected and resilient urban environment.
Biking the Riverfront & Dequindre Cut
The bike tour of Detroit’s Riverfront and Dequindre Cut provided an in-depth exploration of two iconic public spaces. Participants learned how the Detroit Riverfront, named Best Riverwalk by USA TODAY for three years, and the Dequindre Cut Greenway, a vibrant urban path, exemplify innovative infrastructure reuse. Led by the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, the tour showcased how these spaces foster community engagement, link neighborhoods, and celebrate Detroit’s revitalized landscape.
Discover Dreamtroit
The Dreamtroit tour offered a glimpse into the transformation of the historic Lincoln Motor Company Factory into a 90,000-square-foot space that blends arts, culture, and community. This unique venue serves as a live music hub, recycling center, art park, small business incubator, and affordable housing complex. Guided by two visionary artists, attendees saw firsthand how grassroots redevelopment and community programming can create sustainable, innovative spaces while addressing the challenges of gentrification in Detroit.
Detroit style pizza provided by Michigan & Trumbull was served during the tour.
Kayaking Detroit's Historic Canals
The kayak tour of Detroit’s Historic Canals provided a unique perspective on the critical issues facing the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood. Attendees explored the canals’ vulnerability to climate change, redlining, and neglect, learning about the ongoing struggle to preserve this vital infrastructure. The tour highlighted the community’s efforts to maintain these beloved waterways while addressing the risks they pose, offering a powerful look at the intersection of urban development, history, and resilience.