Does Detroit prioritize cars over people?

Just in time for the 2018 North American International Auto Show, the Urban Consulate kicks off its winter schedule of parlor talks with a timely discussion. Urbanist Francis Grunow will pose the question, “What does Detroit lose when we prioritize cars over people?”

The discussion will cover many issues facing Detroit’s future. As many of us know, Detroit has a sea of parking lots in some areas, as well as gaps in public transportation. How does the Motor City move forward and compete with other global cities when it’s still so dependent on cars? What are we giving up when we have so much parking?

A press release from the Urban Consulate says:

• Metro-Detroiters drive further to work than their compatriots in any other American city
• 40% of land in Downtown Detroit is devoted to parking
• Downtown has 60,000 parking spaces—and growing
• That’s almost 7 Empire State Buildings worth of parking
• Is this a waste of space?
• What more could we do with it if we changed our commuting habits?

The talk is free and will take place Wednesday, January 10 from 6-8 p.m. at the Urban Consulate—located at the David MacKenzie House on 4735 Cass Avenue. More information can be found here.