PHASE I WORK

The purpose of the research for Design Regional Detroit is twofold: (1) to provide an asset-focused, objective picture of the 10-county region and (2) to offer several ways for leaders throughout the region to become meaningfully involved in regional planning. In this way, the research will combine traditional analysis of leading indicators with forums for the engagement of regional leaders on the region’s assets, challenges, and priorities. Together, the findings from this research will move the Detroit Region to a small number of compelling priorities for regional prosperity that will drive the development of strategies and action plans in Phase II of the project.

Design Regional Detroit Champions

Chaired by Edsel B. Ford II, the Champions will drive the DRD process by:

• Providing leadership and guidance in promoting the overall goals of DRD
• Encouraging leaders from throughout the 10-county Detroit Region to set aside “turf” and work toward regional prosperity
• Ensuring diversity and inclusion in the process
• Offering input into the benchmarking and action planning process
• Reviewing draft reports
• Assisting in the identification of stakeholders to participate in subsequent phases of DRD
• Actively promoting strategy and action plan development, Phase II of the project

Leading Indicators and Benchmark Regions

Through a chart book of leading economic and community development indicators—demographics, income, employment, trade, investment, productivity, human capital/educational attainment, and quality of life—the Detroit Region is compared to Michigan, the United States, and four benchmark regions. This succinct picture helps stakeholders understand the region’s strengths and challenges. It also serves as a series of benchmarks against which the future progress of the Detroit Region will be measured.

Engaging Stakeholders

In the first phase of Design Regional Detroit, it is essential to reach out to many stakeholders who are committed to regional prosperity. We have several ways of involving these community leaders:

• A questionnaire on the DRD website, which leaders from throughout the region are welcome to complete and submit
• Interviews with 60 key regional leaders, including the members of the Champions group
• Community conversations in 60–80 venues, which will allow us to engage at least 600–800 stakeholders in regional priority setting

All regional stakeholders will be asked about the region’s strengths/assets that can be mobilized to accelerate community and economic development; priorities for enhancing the region’s prosperity; strategies to achieve those priorities; barriers to achieving the priorities; actions needed to create regional collaboration; and the names of others who should be involved in Design Regional Detroit.

The DRD website is instrumental in giving stakeholders (1) access to the research completed to date on the project and (2) a way to make their voice heard on regional planning.

Community Conversations

Community conversations merit special attention because they are essential to the broad public engagement necessary to excite leaders for the hard work ahead in developing and implementing action plans for the Detroit Region’s highest priorities. These conversations are key to the vetting of concerns; enriching the scope of priorities and strategies; exciting early and sustained interest in the planning process; tapping into new leadership; and broadening ownership of the final plan. In other words, community conversations are really the beginning of public engagement, not a one-shot activity that will leave stakeholders wondering what Design Regional Detroit did with their insights.

Throughout the region, leaders are convening a small group of their peers to discuss the region’s assets, challenges, and priorities. These conversations coincide with a regularly scheduled meeting, unless group members prefer otherwise. Hosts include local chambers of commerce; professional associations; nonprofit and foundation groups; labor organizations; education groups, including students; civic groups, such as Rotary, the NAACP, and faith-based councils; and health care, educational, entrepreneurial, and industry-specific groups of leaders. At the conclusion of the community conversations, participants are invited to provide their contact information so they can be involved in subsequent phases of DRD.

The Phase I Final Report

This report will highlight the Detroit Region’s community and economic development priorities, based on the findings from the Web questionnaire, stakeholder interviews, and community conversations. These priorities will be supported by the traditional research on the Detroit Region, Michigan, the U.S., and comparison regions. The report will offer a blueprint—to be fleshed out in Phase II—for regional prosperity. More importantly, perhaps, it will reflect the contributions of hundreds of community leaders who are committed to making the blueprint a reality.

Download a copy of Phase 1 Report
(Adobe^® Acrobat format)
(32 pgs, 194 kb)