Urban Planning

Mosquito sitting on a leaf

Do Africans Want Genetically Modified Mosquitoes?

Utibe Effiong, MPH ’14

Genetically modifying mosquitoes to control infectious disease is not a new idea. But all consequences—the good and the bad—of such an intervention must be adequately vetted. And importantly, argues physician and alum Utibe Effiong, local communities should have a say in the process.

A large garden project at Hamady Middle School in Flint, Michigan, co-facilitated by Youth Empowerment Solutions (YES)

Human Resilience, Positive Engagement, and Building on the Strengths of a Great City

Marc Zimmerman

Why do some youth end up engaging in bad behaviors and others do not? Marc Zimmerman has spent his career studying one half of that question—the many positive things youth bring to their communities. For decades, Zimmerman has partnered with colleagues in Flint to explore the many strengths of that city and the most basic forms of community engagement can have huge, positive impact.

climate experts having a conversation

Climate Matters in Michigan

Pressing Realities for a State and a Region

Nearly fifty years after the 1970 Teach-In on the Environment, which began with a rally in Crisler Center, we invited five colleagues to discuss what climate change will mean for the state of Michigan’s environment and its people.

Hands sliding vegetable scraps from a cutting board into a compost bin

Trash to Treasure: The Incredible Benefits of Composting

Pahriya Ashrap and Amber Cathey

Composting cuts down on the amount of trash we produce and the costs of hauling it, enriches our soil, and sequesters carbon. Take another look at the natural process of composting and how it can help combat climate change and improve your home garden.