Dear friends,

Over the last two months Michigan has made national news as a climate leader by passing catalytic legislation that will reshape the state’s energy landscape. I’ve watched community leaders, many of whom are friends, take to public meetings and social media to convince residents and policymakers that the state’s climate goals are within reach.

This issue, I’m taking a look at three recent policies. And, as a bonus, I’ve included this year’s holiday gift list for the city lovers and urbanists in your life.

Hope this gets you thinking,
Kate

Energy benchmarking is driving the green economy

A few weeks ago, Detroit's city council unanimously passed an ordinance mandating buildings over 200k SF to disclose their energy performance scores. Detroit joins a growing list of municipalities implementing benchmarking legislation. Observing the positive impact in these cities, I’m optimisitc that this single ordinance can drive meaningful change:

• A DOE study found each dollar spent on energy efficiency generates $2.23 local economies [IMT]

• 3 years after NY passed its own benchmarking ordinance, >7k energy efficiency jobs were created [NRDC]

• Buildings that benchmark save 7% of energy use over a 3-year period, helping building owners save thousands of dollars [NRDC]

• Denver’s benchmarking data is identifying where energy investment resources should be deployed [IMT]

Detroit’s pathway to becoming a solar city

Now that Detroit tracks its energy use, the City is planning to bulid enough solar fields to offset energy usage in 127 municipal buildings. First announced in June, the Mayor has selected 9 finalist neighborhoods to receive at least 10 acres of solar. 

• New tool visualizes solar capacity on lots throughout Detroit [City of Detroit]

• 6 winning neighborhoods will be selected for 250 acres of solar arrays to offset electricity use by 127 city buildings [Freep]

• $25k/acre will be provided for community benefits, from park improvements to energy efficiency home repairs [Electrek]

Should the need to scale up renewables trump local rule?

For communities that don’t have programs like Detroit’s, there’s long been resistance to renewable developments. Last month, Governor Whitmer signed a bill into law that gives the MI Public Service Commission citing authority for renewable projects over 100 MW.  

• Critics are concerned about losing local rule and reliability issues with renewable energy [NYTimes]

• To achieve statewide goals, MI needs 210k more acres of renewables- ~.5% of the state’s land area [Detroit News]

• Each renewable development will bring >$350k to host towns throughout the state [Hillsdale]

An Urbanist’s Holiday Gift Guide

If you are still looking for gifts inspiration, here are some of my favorite finds this year- from board games and artwork to acclaimed urbanist books!

For the family:

• Mexica: Build the old Aztec city of Tenochtitlan 

• Suburbia: Sprawl at its best- in a game! 

• Warsaw: City of Ruins: Rebuild this historic Polish city through the centuries 

• Metro X: Can you create the most valuable subway network? 

• The Estates: What’s your ability to build cities and make some $$$ 

For your artsy urbanist friend: 

• Watercolor Scenes: Romanticizing life in Hoboken, Jersey City, Montclair, and the NYC Subway 

• Abstract Cities: Geometric interpretations of intersections, transit maps, bridges 

• Sewer Cover Artwork: Check out these mats that take on sewer cover art from cities around the world 

• Microscapes: Bring a city block into your home with 3D models of urban blocks

For the bookworms in your life:

• Paved Paradise (Henry Grabar): A entertaining guide into the influence of parking on our every day lives

• Emergent Tokyo: Designing the Spontaneous City: Understanding the scale and intimacy of one of the world’s most dynamic cities 

• Hyperlocal: Place Governance in a Fragmented World (Jennifer S. Vey, Nate Storring): Why are some places successful while others flail? 

• The Nib Magazine #12: Comedic takes on life in global cities 

• Mini Alleys: Bring a small city street to your bookshelf 

When material gifts fall short, consider giving to those in need. Explore one of my previous posts for meaningful ways to make an impact this holiday season.

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