MICHIGAN DEBATES ON URBANISM

OVERVIEW
In addition to conventional urban development, three self-conscious schools of urbanism have emerged in the last decade: Everyday Urbanism, New Urbanism, and Post-Urbanism. While all three are inevitable and necessary developments in and of the contemporary human condition, how we make sense of their merits, their past and current contributions to contemporary society, and their future potential, is still undefined.

The Michigan Debates on Urbanism (MDU) featured a series of three in-depth, one-on-one debates designed to explore these disparate strands of contemporary American and European urbanism and addressed the fundamental issues they raise. Each public debate featured two world-renowned urban design theorists and/or practioners, carefully chosen to bring together the right mix of personalities and positions. The debates were organized and led by Taubman College included distinguished faculty members as debate moderators. The project was overseen by Douglas Kelbaugh, FAIA, Dean, and Tom Buresh, Architecture Program Chair.

The transcripts for the debate were edited for publication, complemented with illustrations and useful bibliographical guides, and supplemented by an introduction written by the moderator. They were then published in book form, distributed to trade and specialty bookstores nationwide, and made available to students, teachers, and practioners in urban planning, architecture, urban history, sociology, and other fields.