Events

Featured upcoming events

Thursday, November 21**, 5:30-7pm

Urbanism Café

Join us every fourth Thursday at Sweetwaters (123 W Washington St, Ann Arbor) for casual, caffeinated discussion of urban topics. **The November edition will be on the THIRD Thursday due to Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, December 4, 5-7pm

Urbanism Happy Hour

Join us the first Wednesday of each month at Blue Tractor (207 E Washington St, Ann Arbor) for casual discussion of urban topics. Let’s debrief the issues that have come up in the comprehensive plan meeting.

Friday, November 8, 5:30-7:30pm

“Brewed in the Mitten” beer tasting fundraiser

You won't want to miss this event!  Have fun AND help support the pro-housing and pro-safe-transportation programs you love!

What: "Brewed in the Mitten" beer tasting fundraiser for Neighborhood Institute
When: Friday, November 8, 5:30-7:30pm
Where: Venue by 4M, 1919 S. Industrial Highway, Ann Arbor
Donation: $40 (21 & over only) includes tasting; food and other beverages available for purchase


Our tasting guide, Patti Smith, is a prolific storyteller and writer.  Her most recent book is Michigan Beer: A Heady History  Join us as she shares fascinating historical tidbits and guides us through a series of delicious brews from Michigan!

Recent events

Friday, November 1, 5:30-7pm

Bubbles For Bike Lanes!

Organizer description, click to see full details and route map:

Ann Arbor’s most whimsical protest is back! Flood East Stadium Boulevard with bubbles at rush hour to draw attention to unsafe bike infrastructure and to demand for better!

All are welcome, BUT this is a high traffic, exposed and rigorous route on unprotected gutter bike lanes and in lanes of traffic (although that’s the whole point of the protest, hello).

When: Friday November 1st 2024 at 5:30pm

Where: Starting at the empty parking lot of 2381 East Stadium (beside BearClaw Coffee) and riding West toward Aldi’s on East Stadium Boulevard, ending at Tmaz Tacos (2529 Dexter Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48103).

Start your bubble machines and join the ride to demand that Ann Arbor uphold their Vision Zero commitment by road dieting and adding protected bike lanes on East Stadium Boulevard.

Stick around to refuel with tacos and a bubble recap.

Film your ride! Take photos!

Why bubbles??? Because bubbles are a whimsical and only slightly annoying way to offer a gentle reminder that bike commuters and all non car mobility deserve safety and access on our roads. Plus, it makes aggressive drivers look very silly.

No bubbles? No big. Join us anyway!

(Not a Neighborhood Institute sponsored event, just promoting/supporting!)

Sunday, October 27, 4pm

"Welcome to Ann Arbor Urbanism" walking tour

  • When: Sunday, October 27, 4pm

  • Cost: Tickets are $20, $10 for enrolled students (advance purchase required, space is limited)

  • Where: Meet at 4pm outside Lan City Noodle Bar, 1235 S University Ave., Ann Arbor, MI; ends at about 5:30pm near Zingerman’s Deli in Kerrytown

We’re so excited to bring you this inaugural walking tour!  It’s an informative (and slightly opinionated) 90-minute jaunt through the South University, Central Campus, State Street, Liberty Street, Main Street, and Kerrytown districts. 

Curious about all the construction near South U?  Want to know which parts of the downtown are preserved by historic districts, and where the city is growing?  What’s going on with the new bike lanes and the “curbless” section of State Street?  The tour will highlight how the built environment has evolved — and how you can help shape the city’s future. While designed for newcomers to the urbanism scene, the tour contains fun facts for townies of all tenures!  Optional post-tour discussion at the Sweetwaters in Kerrytown (non-alcoholic beverages and beer available for purchase — kindly indicate your potential interest when buying a ticket).

Led by Executive Director Kirk Westphal; additional commentary provided by volunteer subject matter experts. Rain or shine. Space is limited, and we regret we cannot offer refunds. All proceeds support the mission of Neighborhood Institute and are tax deductible.

Wednesday, October 23, 11am-7pm

Comprehensive Planning/Downtown Circulation meeting (City of Ann Arbor)

  • 11am-7pm open house; presentations at 12:30pm and 6pm (pizza served at each)

  • AADL Downtown branch lower level 

If you’re only able to come in-person to a couple of things a year, this should be one of them!  City staff and consultants will be presenting updates and gathering your input on 1) the city’s comprehensive planning effort, 2) the downtown “circulation study,” and 3) the Downtown Development Authority’s “development plan.”  Each of these is critical for different reasons.  (The third one is probably the least discussed; it involves potentially expanding the DDA boundary and tax capture, which I believe is essential if we want a healthy and growing city core.  More on this here.) Photo credit: City of Ann Arbor