Leading meaningful change across America.
Design affects far more than how a city looks. It impacts the way it runs, lives, feels, and grows.
By helping mayors address design challenges since 1986, we’ve changed the course of cities across the country, leading the way to substantive improvements in everything from public spaces to transportation to economic mobility.
WATERFIRE, PROVIDENCE, RI WATERFIRE / JOHN NICKERSONInspiring and empowering leaders since 1986.
-
175+
Institute sessions held
-
1,200+
mayoral graduates
-
700+
design leader alumni
-
National Impact
Representing all 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico & Guam
Mayor Quinton Lucas
2022 MICD 75 Charleston
kansas city — mo
View All TestimonialsMayor Lauren McLean
2022 MICD 76 Chicago
Boise — ID
View All Testimonials
Areas of Impact
MICD programs address the most pertinent challenges facing cities today, while adapting and evolving as needs change with time.
Arts & Culture
Individual and community values are expressed and validated through arts and culture. We help mayors understand the expansive role that the arts can play in engaging communities, building connections, creating new narratives, and driving economic development.
Equitable Development
Mayors can meet the needs of underserved communities through policies and programs that reduce disparities, while fostering places that are healthy and vibrant. Whether addressing real estate, transit, safety, public health, or housing, we look at how mayors’ decisions can positively impact the lives of all residents.
Infrastructure
We believe that every piece of infrastructure a city builds should contribute to the human spirit. We help mayors understand how to build partnerships that ensure infrastructure investments are resilient, sustainable, and lead to a greater quality of life for their people.
Policy & Planning
Municipal actions, laws, and processes can all impact city design. Bringing together experts across design fields, we help facilitate conversations around policy so that mayors are informed and empowered to bring their vision to life.
Public Space
Public spaces, including parks, streetscapes, plazas, and waterfronts, often define a city. Our programs help mayors understand how these spaces can be created so that they are welcoming, useful, and unique to their community.
Revitalization
Every city has neighborhoods that have suffered disinvestment and decline, despite often having resilient and steadfast residents. We help mayors lift the voices of their neighborhoods, leading to revitalization that celebrates culture and legacy, and does not lead to displacement.
Bethlehem — PA
Restoring an iconic steel plant into a vibrant venue for cultural events
View Project
Birmingham — AL
Transforming a neglected neighborhood landmark into a community-centered hub
View Project
Alexandria — VA
Building a walkable, vibrant neighborhood centered around transit access
View Project
Huntington — WV
Leading with a bold plan to revitalize three distinct neighborhoods
View Project
Louisville — KY
Reclaiming the Ohio River as the city's front yard
View Project
Little Rock — AR
Transforming Main Street into the award-winning Creative Corridor
View ProjectIn the past 5 years
We’ve worked with mayors in 157 in-depth engagements across the country from 2019-2023.
Our Programs-
90 mayors attended Institute Sessions
Institute Sessions -
Engaged with 23 mayors and their staff in the MICD Just City Mayoral Fellowship
MICD Just City Mayoral Fellowship -
Worked with 44 alumni mayors to deliver follow-up advising
MICD Alumni Advising -
Hosted 12 virtual seminars featuring leading design experts
Virtual Seminars
Making an impact from coast to coast.
Over 1,200 mayors across America have workshopped critical challenges facing their cities through MICD programs. View our list of past participants to see all of the mayors who have attended and their corresponding sessions and cities.
Explore Projects
From creating more beautiful and accessible public spaces to articulating new policies,
 MICD programs equip mayors with the knowledge and tools to enact change in their cities.
Ready to lead with design?
Contact UsStay informed.
Receive program updates, event announcements, and city design news.