A panel of business leaders and the Mayor of Detroit provided a variety of insights into ways transportation projects can create a more viable Detroit, at the 2010 Designing Sustainable Detroit Symposium, "Riding Trucks, Trains, Boats and Planes to Urban Vitality," Sept. 30 on the University of Detroit Mercy McNichols Campus. The program was sponsored by UDM's School of Architecture and College of Engineering & Science.

At the 2010 Designing Sustainable Detroit Symposium, Sept. 30 in the UDM Student Center, from left: Melissa Roy, senior director of Transportation Policy and Government Relations, Detroit Regional Chamber; Michael Joseph, UDM interim president; Steve Vogel, dean of the School of Architecture; Dave Bing, mayor of the City of Detroit; Leo Hanifin, dean of the College of Engineering & Science; Matt Cullen '83, president of the Board of the M1 Rail Project; and David Tyler, deputy director for Wayne County's Economic Development Growth Engine.

Speakers highlighted how transportation initiatives promise to bring economic development, job creation and improved livability to the city of Detroit. Watch the symposium UDMcast.

Speakers included:

David Bing, mayor of the City of Detroit, who stressed the need "to reshape the city of Detroit… By using transportation as a catalyst, we will see the city grow." He believes utilizing transportation can be an economic engine in the city.

Matthew Cullen '83, president, Board of M1 Rail, which seeks to connect Detroit's entertainment, employment, and other sectors with a nine-mile rail along Woodward Ave. Construction of the first 3.4-mile phase of the project on Woodward, from Hart Plaza to Grand Boulevard, should begin at the end of 2011.

Dave Tyler, deputy director for Wayne County EDGE (Economic Development Growth Engine) presented the county's Detroit Aerotropolis Initiative, a proposed business hub development around Detroit Metro and Willow Run airports. With speed and agility replacing location as priority in world trade, the Aerotropolis is positioned to become a new global logistics center. According to Tyler, southeastern Michigan has a strategic advantage due to infrastructure, vacant property and potential employees.

Melissa Roy, senior director of Transportation Policy and Government Relations, Detroit Regional Chamber, discussed Detroit's TranslinkeD Strategy, which identifies key projects to stimulate economic development and will help Southeast Michigan serve as an inland port for global trade. Because of this area's transportation linkages, metro Detroit has the opportunity to become an inland port for Canadian ports, resulting in increased and more diverse trade throughout our region.

Leo Hanifin, dean of the College of Engineering & Science said, "We were honored to have these important Detroit business leaders at UDM to discuss several exciting transportation strategies to make Detroit more vibrant, livable and sustainable."

For more on the symposium, you can view the full UDMcast video and download the Detroit Free Press article, "Transportation ideas get closer look at meeting" (PDF).