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Log CM for AICP

Innovation Talks

Navigating Politics to Advance Planning

Thriving Communities: Finding the Why of Local Government

Monday, March 31, 2025
8:30 AM - 8:45 AM CT
Location: 607
CM: .25
Place matters, and it matters because of what it means for people. Michigan led the country in local placemaking initiatives after the Great Recession, when local and state leaders needed to remember that community was more than just a municipal budget sheet. The state is building on that foundation by declaring that everyday, municipal decision-making can prioritize trust and inclusive belonging, and foster many forms of connection, accessibility, and opportunity for residents.

This presentation outlines how the Michigan Municipal League is building a thriving-communities framework into education, advocacy, and technical assistance programs on behalf of its 500+ member communities. Strategies are founded on the belief that human experience in communities is the key to local and statewide prosperity.

Wordly AI Closed Caption Link

Learning Objectives:

  • Discuss planning, and local government broadly, as mechanisms to support human thriving.
  • Understand place as interdependent with trust and belonging.
  • Build collaborative networks to advance the vision of thriving communities.