Core Sessions

Core Sessions are in-depth primers on the history, principles, concepts, and tools of New Urbanism geared to first-time Congress attendees.

• Core: Principles of New Urbanism
• Core: Urbanism & Sustainability
• Core: Coding & Zoning
• Core: Sprawl Retrofit
• Core: The Cash Flow of Urbanism
• Core: Walkability

202 Sessions

202 Sessions are advanced learning courses led by thought leaders and innovative practitioners. These sessions include high-level instruction that goes beyond that of a typical breakout session. 202 Sessions are longer—typically lasting three to four hours—and more in-depth; they're geared toward professionals who already know the basics. The courses are much more personal than breakout sessions, and are hands-on and interactive. 

• 202: Art Room: Place-Sensitive Architecture
• 202: Lean Code Workshop
• 202: Principles for Urban Retail Planning & Development
• 202: Public Engagement that Pops
• 202: Advanced Missing Middle Housing: Beyond the Concept & Into the Details of Getting These Types Built & Sold
• 202: Crowdfunding Better Neighborhoods: The Seven Steps to Success

Tours

• Downtown Detroit Architecture 
• The Midwest's Best Small City: Ann Arbor
• Detroit Music Experience 
• The High Road: From State Highway to Complete Street
• George and Eliel: Creating Cranbrook

Opening Plenary

CNU opens the 24th annual Congress for New Urbanism in Detroit.

Detroit Day

A full day of programming led by local Detroit leaders and innovators. From leading philanthropists to grassroots activists, these speakers know the real story of how their city is reinventing itself.

• Detroit's History
• Detroit's Redevelopment: Greater Downtown
• Detroit's Revitalization: The Neighborhoods
• Detroit's Future

Windsor, Ontario Programming

Are you coming to Detroit but also want to experience Canadian Urbanism firsthand? No problem. All day Thursday, there is a parallel track of programming in Windsor, Ontario, just across the river from Detroit. Go for part or all of Thursday. Buses will be circulating between downtown Detroit and Windsor morning, afternoon, and evening.

• Walkerville to Ford City: Neighborhoods in Contrast
• Border Cities in the Rust Belt
• The Future of Small Cities & Towns

Tours

• Downtown Detroit Planning
• Redeveloping Midtown One Block at a Time
• Restoring the Wurlitzer

Charter Awards

The CNU Charter Awards recognizes exemplary work in architectural, landscape, urban, and regional design, as defined by the Charter of the New Urbanism. The Charter defines the essential qualities of walkable, sustainable places from the scale of the region down to the block and building.

Jane Day

Jane Day is modeled after the highly successful TED Talk format and its purpose is to get the CNU back to its roots—a full day of high-level, challenging talks about the broader placemaking movement.

Civic Tech Forum

The Civic Tech Forum is a collaborative space that connects communities facing local challenges with organizations that have the tools to solve these problems. Participants in the Civic Tech Forum will have the chance to showcase and demonstrate how their technology can help create great places. Presenters will also engage in one-on-one sessions with CNU’s vast network of placemakers to discuss how their technology can be utilized to transform more cities and towns.

Build Institute's Build Bazaar

Build Bazaar is a rotating pop-up marketplace celebrating emerging entrepreneurs from our Build Institute programs. From artisanal candles and soap, to fresh baked goods and handmade wares, every event will feature an exciting and diverse range of local vendors. Shop the bazaar and support the small business economy in Detroit!

Tours

• Mies in Motown
• Greater Downtown Detroit

Chapter Block Party

Come join other CNU members working in your area at the first Annual Chapter Block Party. Chat with other Chapter members in a temporarily activated outdoor space while unwinding over a drink.

Morning Plenary

Join us for a thought-provoking morning plenary to kick start the fourth day of the Congress. 

City as Platform

This new approach to a session offers hands-on, boots-on-the-ground immersive learning about urban issues and solutions on the streets of Detroit. Sessions will be held in multiple Detroit neighborhoods.

Tours

• Bike Tour: Market Day at Detroit's Eastern Market
• Birmingham 2016: Michigan's New Urbanist Downtown
• The Energy in Mexicantown

Closing Party

Join your fellow Congress-goers and local Detroit residents for an evening of fun to close out the 24th annual Congress for the New Urbanism. The closing party is located in the heart of Downtown Detroit at 800 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226. This event is free and open to the public.