M.U.R.P.
Exit Project Database
Graduate students in the Master of Urban and Regional Planning program are required to complete one of three types of integrative exit projects. These projects rely on knowledge and skills developed across our curriculum. Most studios complete a Capstone Studio course, which conducts a planning project for a real-world client under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Students may also complete an individual professional project or thesis. It is the program’s practice to archive the final products of all Capstone Studios, and select theses and professional projects, on the College website and also deposit them in the University’s Deep Blue Documents digital repository.
This webpage lists all of the exit projects completed in the program since 2006. Is your project missing? Drop us a note to let us know at TCAUP-URP@umich.edu.
2025
Equity Alliance of Michigan Community Resilience Plan: Strategies for a Thriving Midwest-Tireman (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisor: Madhavi Reddy
Creating Connections: A Terminus Relocation Proposal (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisor: Jonathan Levine
Developing Solutions for Brownfield Renewable Energy in Michigan: Compendium for Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisory: Sarah Mills
DETROIT INTERWOVEN: Collective Ideologies Toward Planned Reciprocity & Just Futures
Professional Project by Lawson Schultz
Faculty Advisor: Lauren Hood
Nurturing Community and Place through Wealth-Building and Guaranteed Income: Insights for Planning from Saint Paul’s CollegeBound Boost
Thesis by Audrey Dombro
Faculty Advisor: Kim Kinder
2024
Getting there: A vision for supportive development and active urban transportation in Detroit (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisor: Joe Grengs
Finding Common Grounds in Eastside Detroit: Community Ownership of Land and Real Estate Developments for Affordability and Inclusive Growth (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisor: Madhavi Reddy
Power in Partnership: Insights for siting utility-scale renewables in Michigan (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisor: Madhavi Reddy
We All Eat: Preparing for the Future Through Food (Deep Blue)
Professional Project by Lunia Oriol
Faculty Advisors: Lesli Hoey and Larissa Larsen
Planning for an Intergenerational Future (Deep Blue)
Professional Project by Tara Grebe
Faculty Advisor: Larissa Larsen
The Community Journalism Playbook: Reporting on Urban Planning in your Detroit Neighborhood (Deep Blue)
Professional Project by Ashley Jankowski
Faculty Advisor: Robert Goodspeed
Using Video to Shape Cityscapes: A Public Education Initiative
Professional Project by Gabe Monett
Faculty Advisor: Jonathan Levine
Overparticipation? Understanding the historic contribution of eight participatory planning processes in Goa, India
Thesis by Tahir Noronha
Faculty Advisor: Ana Paula Pimentel Walker
2023
Fostering Racial Equity in Access to Green Spaces in Southeast Michigan (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisor: Robert Goodspeed
Proactive Parks: Bolstering Sustainability, Resilience & Vitality in Michigan’s State Parks (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisor: Jeffrey Kahan
Preserving Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing in Detroit: A Case Study of Oakman Boulevard Community along the Joe Louis Greenway (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisor: Lan Deng
Running the River: A Proof-of-Concept Study for Funding Improvements and Programming for the Shiawassee River Water Trail Using Tax Increment Financing (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisor: Richard Norton
The Intersection of Community Engagement + Innovative Design in LIHTC Development
Professional Project by Anna Lam
Faculty Advisor: Malcolm McCullough
2022
Rising Above the Deluge (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisor: Anthony Vanky
Great Lake Coastal Justice (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisor: Richard Norton
Evaluating Funding for Public Transit to Advance Michigan’s Climate Goals (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisor: Joe Grengs
Affordability in Ann Arbor: Recommendations for Increasing Affordability, Livability, and Sustainability in Ann Arbor (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisor: Jeffrey Kahan
2021
Eviction Data Dashboard
Faculty Advisor: Harley Etienne
Detroit Development Scorecard
Faculty Advisor: Eric Dueweke
Accelerating Climate Action in Colombia and India
Faculty Advisor: Ana Paula Pimentel Walker
2020
Envisioning a Decentralized Compost System For Detroit: A Framework For Community-Scale Composting (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisors: Lesli Hoey, Eric Dueweke
Self-Management Law, Now! Fostering Community-Owned, Permanently Affordable and Sustainable Housing in Brazil (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisor: Ana Paula Pimentel Walker
Block by Block: Equitable Sales Strategies for Detroit’s Claytown, Nardin Park and Northeast (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisor: Eric Dueweke
2019
Bridging the Gap: Planning for Neighborhood Quality of Life in Southwest Detroit (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisors: Jonathan Levine, Eric Dueweke
Detroit Flows: Stormwater Management in Detroit Neighborhoods
Faculty Advisors: Philip D’Anieri, Libby Levy
2018
Green Collar Corridors: Transforming Detroit’s Vacant Commercial Corridors Into Community Assets(Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisors: Jonathan Levine, Libby Levy
Together We Grow: Neighborhood Planning for Community Health In Flint’s Eastside
Faculty Advisors: Eric Dueweke, Harley Etienne
A Ride in the Right Direction: MOGO Expansion and Mobility Trends
Faculty Advisors: Eric Dueweke, Joe Grengs
2017
Detroit’s Lower Cass and Brush Park Neighborhoods (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisors: Eric Dueweke, Harley Etienne
Informa Ocupacao Anchieta
Faculty Advisor: Ana Paula Pimentel Walker
Strengthening and Transforming the Lower Eastside: Supporting LEAP Phase III (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisors: Margaret Dewar, Libby Levy
2016
Marina District Riverfront Access Plan (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisors: Wendy Rampson, Eric Dueweke
Strengthening Land Bank Sales Programs to Stabilize Detroit Neighborhoods (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisors: Eric Dueweke, Libby Levy
2015
Elevate: Strategies for Strengthening Housing Markets in Ypsilanti + Ypsilanti Township
Faculty Advisors: Eric Dueweke, Dick Norton
Moving Forward in NorthTown (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisors: June Manning Thomas, Malik Goodwin
Together We Make Santa Marta Home: Fostering Community Ownership and Environmental Stewardship in Vila Santa Marta, Brazil (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisor: Ana Paula Pimentel Walker
Stabilizing Morningside (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisors: Margaret Dewar, Libby Levy
2014
From Needs to Opportunities: Strategies for the West Willow Neighborhood (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisors: Ana Paula Pimentel Walker, Eric Dueweke
The Time is Now: A New Vision for Greater Regent Park (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisors: Margaret Dewar, Libby Levy
Green the Way: Moving Forward on an Allen Creek Trail (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisors: Eric Dueweke, Larissa Larsen
Forging a Future: Recommendations for Strengthening Detroit’s Mt. Elliot Employment District (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisors: June Manning Thomas, Eric Dueweke
2013
Stormwater Solutions: Revising Toledo’s Stormwater Credit Program (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisors: Eric Dueweke, Larissa Larsen
Seven Proposals for Buckeye (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisor: María Arquero de Alarcón
Histories Future in the North End (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisors: Margaret Dewar
Envision Willow Run (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisors: María Arquero de Alarcón, Paul Fontaine
Leap Forward: Advancing Leap’s Land Use Goals (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisors: Margaret Dewar, Libby Levy
2012
Let’s Roll: Reimagining Transit on Washtenaw Avenue (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisors: Eric Dueweke, Jonathan Levine
Michigan Engaging Community through the Classroom
Faculty Advisors: María Arquero de Alarcón, Paul Fontaine
Vertical Cities in Asia: Everyone Ages
Faculty Advisors: María Arquero de Alarcón, Paul Fontaine
Foundations for Community Climate Action: Defining Climate Change Vulnerability in Detroit (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisors: Eric Dueweke, Larissa Larsen
Bawas Peligro
Faculty Advisor: Gavin Shatkin
Ever Green: An Enduring System of Parks and Greenways in Detroit (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisors: Margaret Dewar, Libby Levy
Blight on the Block: A Resident’s Guide to Reducing Blight (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisors: Eric Dueweke, Margaret Dewar
Green Building and Climate Resilience: Understanding Impacts and Preparing for Changing Conditions
Faculty Advisor: Larissa Larsen
Flipping the Switch: Establishing the Urban Alternatives House
Southwest Detroit Brownfield Prioritization Project: Identifying Brownfields that Threaten Public Safety
Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision
Model Changeover: Adapting City Services to Detroit’s Urban Landscape
2011
Building Better Blocks: Transforming Detroit’s CDBG Subrecipient System (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisors: Eric Dueweke, Margaret Dewar
From Revenue to Reuse: Managing Tax-Reverted Properties in Detroit (Deep Blue)
Faculty Advisors: Eric Dueweke, Margaret Dewar
Climate Adaptation Planning in Great Lakes Cities: Regional Overview and Case Studies
Faculty Advisor: Larissa Larsen
A Local Response to Detroit River International Crossing
Faculty Advisors: Eric Dueweke, Larissa Larsen
2010
Focus on the Future: A Plan for the Hope Village Initiative Area
Faculty Advisors: Eric Dueweke, Margaret Dewar
Paving The Way: Linking Southwest Detroit to Infrastructure Jobs
Faculty Advisors: Eric Dueweke, Margaret Dewar
From Vacant to Viable: Strategies for Addressing Commercial Corridors in Detroit
Faculty Advisors: Eric Dueweke, Margaret Dewar
2009
Adversity to Advantage
Faculty Advisors: Eric Dueweke, Margaret Dewar
An Assessment for the Genesee County Land Bank’s Rental Housing Program 2005-2008
Faculty Advisors: Lan Deng, Margaret Dewar
Building a Community-Based Sustainable Food System: Case Studies and Recommendations
Filling in the Gaps: A Plan for Vacant Properties in Osborn
Faculty Advisors: Eric Dueweke, Margaret Dewar
Growing Stronger: A Plan for the Future of Detroit’s Community Development Corporation System
Faculty Advisors: Eric Dueweke, Margaret Dewar
Maintaining High Quality Housing For A Predominantly Renter Community
Professional Project by Rachel Wells
Faculty Advisors: June Manning Thomas, Lan Deng
Reclaiming the Neighborhood: Addressing Vacant Homes in Mott Park
Faculty Advisors: Eric Dueweke, Margaret Dewar
2008
Breathing Easier in Southwest Detroit: Mitigating Fugitive Dust With Vegetation
Faculty Advisors: Eric Dueweke, Larissa Larsen
Brightmoor: A Market Analysis
Faculty Advisor: June Manning Thomas
Bringing Vision Into Focus: A Simple and Pragmatic Commercial Redevelopment Strategy for Brightmoor
Faculty Advisor: June Manning Thomas
In Business: In Brightmoor
Faculty Advisor: June Manning Thomas
Market Analysis of Brightmoor
Faculty Advisor: June Manning Thomas
Social Capital and Community Directed Change: A Plan for Brightmoor
Faculty Advisor: June Manning Thomas
2007
Towards a Brighter Future: A Plan for Southeast Brightmoor
Faculty Advisors: Eric Dueweke, Margaret Dewar
2006
Across GrandView Parkway: Strengthening Connections Between Downtown and The Bay
Faculty Advisor: Larissa Larsen
Genesee County Land Bank Side Lot Transfer Program Evaluation
Faculty Advisor: Margaret Dewar
Community Land Trust Performance In Different Housing Markets
Faculty Advisor: Margaret Dewar
Through a Wider Lens: Re-envisioning the Great Lakes MegaRegion
Faculty Advisor: Margaret Dewar
Planning for Detroit’s Tax-Reverted Properties: Possibilities for the Wayne County Land Bank
Planning Detroit’s Conner Creek Greenway: Attracting Eastside Neighbors
Faculty Advisor: Larissa Larsen
Methods for Planning the Great Lakes MegaRegion
Faculty Advisor: Margaret Dewar
A Neighborhood Indicators System for Detroit: Empowering Communities Through Information
Faculty Advisors: Eric Dueweke, Margaret Dewar
