The School of Architecture recently hosted the International Honors Program (IHP) "Cities in the 21st Century" Study Abroad Program. This is the first time in IHP's 50-year history that the program was held in Detroit. A group of 33 students representing 23 colleges and universities from across the U.S. took part in the program from Aug. 24 – Sept. 6.

Students in the International Honors Program experienced Detroit on street level during a bike tour.

The IHP web site states, "For the first time, the Cities program started the semester in Detroit, Michigan – a city symptomatic of the challenges facing mid-size industrial cities across the nation and around the world. Amidst scars of disinvestment and tension around race and class, students experienced seeds of positive growth and change as the city is rebuilding itself from the ground up."

From Detroit, the students moved on to Delhi and Chandigarh, India; Cape Town, South Africa; and Buenos Aires, Argentina to continue the program. Throughout their tour, the students are studying subjects ranging from urban planning to politics and development, looking at the forces that shape cities.

Virginia Stanard, urban designer with UDM's Detroit Collaborative Design Center, who coordinated the Detroit program with Dan Pitera, executive director of the Design Center and associate professor of Architecture, says she found the experience to be as enlightening most likely as did the students.

"IHP allowed us to 'rediscover' the city in which we live and work and reconnect with local organizations and resources. By exposing the students to Detroit, we gained a better understanding of the city ourselves," says Stanard.

Stanard answered some questions about the program and the School of Architecture's involvement:

How was UDM selected to be a part of the program?
The Detroit Collaborative Design Center at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture was selected based on its mission and commitment to the City of Detroit, and because of its strong relationships with local organizations.

How many students came here for the classes?
There were 33 students that came for the IHP Detroit launch. The students were led by four IHP faculty members, one Trustees Fellow, two IHP program directors, two Detroit coordinators, and an IHP staff member. The students represented 23 colleges and universities from across the United States, including Washington University in St. Louis, Harvard University, Barnard College, Brown University, Boston University, Lafayette College, University of California at Berkeley, and the University of Vermont.

No UDM students in the group?
No UDM students were enrolled in this year's program, though we are encouraging students to consider IHP as a study abroad option in the future. However, UDM American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) and other Architecture students participated in a reception and dinner with the IHP students, faculty, and staff. Carrie Da Via and Nick Piotrowski, Detroit Collaborative Design Center co-ops, also assisted in coordinating the program.

Who else from UDM was involved?
School of Architecture faculty and staff that assisted with or participated in various program events included Dean Stephen Vogel, Donnie Jones, Elly Gravelle, Allegra Pitera, Charles Cross, Christina Heximer, Chandra Moore, Will Wittig, Noah Resnick, Libby Blume, Steve LaGrassa, and Tony Martinico. Additionally, Allegra Pitera, director of Digital Media Studies and assistant professor of Architecture, is making a video documentary of the IHP students' experience.

What was an average day like for the student visitors?
A sample day included a panel discussion by city activists and leaders in the morning followed by an afternoon in a Detroit neighborhood where the students engaged a local nonprofit organization. Individuals from the following organizations and businesses participated in the program: Virgil H. Carr Cultural Arts Center, SMART, Ford Motor Company, WARM Training Center, Southwest Housing Solutions, Detroit Receiving Hospital, The Skillman Foundation, Warren/Conner Development Coalition, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Next Detroit Neighborhood Initiative, Southwest Detroit Business Association; Bridging Communities, Inc., Friends of Dingeman Park, Vanguard Community Development Corporation, University District Community Organization, Northwest Detroit Neighborhood Development, Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation, Eastern Market Corporation, Gleaners Community Food Bank, the Michigan Citizen, Zachary and Associates, Detroit Free Press, Boggs Center, Wayne State University, and the Milner Hotel.

See the IHP "Cities in the 21st Century" program site for more.