Source: Ford School of Public Policy
University of Michigan Photography
University of Michigan Photography
Imagine if decisions about schools, housing and public safety in your city were shaped by your experiences and input, not just the loudest voices at city council meetings. Thanks to the University of Michigan’s Detroit Metro Area Communities Study, or DMACS, that vision is becoming a reality.
The surveys and data DMACS provide enable city leaders to hear directly from residents about their everyday needs and priorities.
Now in its 10th year, DMACS surveys more than 2,000 Detroit residents annually about their priorities and lived experiences. By co-creating the surveys with local partners, including city government, philanthropy and nonprofits, DMACS ensures resident voices reach leaders to inform decision-making.
“We’re committed to making sure Detroiters’ voices drive the decisions that shape their city,” said Mara Ostfeld, DMACS’s co-director and research associate professor at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.
“That means working hand-in-hand with Detroit’s leaders, including the mayor’s office, eviction defense funds, community violence intervention organizations, and those driving innovations in land use, water management, and transportation. It’s a chance to learn what’s top-of-mind for Detroiters.”
