The Detroit Cultural Center Planning Initiative (CCPI) is a transformative public-private partnership focusing on climate change and urban revitalization. It brings together cultural institutions like the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Charles H. Wright Museum, along with architects, engineers, artists, residents, government, and utility sectors to form a nonprofit aimed at combining urban planning with cultural stewardship over an 83-acre midtown area.
Key goals include increasing the tree canopy by 60%, reclaiming 16 acres for public use, and improving stormwater infrastructure to reduce sewage overflow by 40%. Streetscapes will be reimagined to be pedestrian-friendly, converting 40% of car areas into public spaces by moving parking underground, and revitalizing 3 million square feet of institutional space.
Major outcomes include the formation of the Detroit Cultural Center Association (DCCA), free public Wi-Fi installation, collaborative programming for cultural education, and extensive community engagement through workshops, public sessions, and virtual panels. CCPI aims to reshape Detroit’s urban fabric by promoting public spaces, connecting institutions, and enhancing inclusivity, competitiveness, and citizen well-being.