Detroit Architect Dorian Moore, FAIA, on How to Build Better Cities (A City Builder’s Perspective)

Flux City links up with architect and urban designer Dorian Moore for a “walker” (a coffee-for-a-walk) and a deep, street-level conversation about what makes cities thrive—and what holds them back.

From Detroit’s long arc of downtown recovery to the missed opportunities of the People Mover and the still-evolving QLine, Dorian breaks down why “transit” should really be discussed as mobility—and why cities must prioritize pedestrians first, then cycling, then transit, and finally cars. The two also unpack why bike lanes often underperform when they aren’t truly protected, and how safer, separated infrastructure can change behavior and unlock a real biking culture.

The conversation moves into Detroit’s current development reality: rising construction costs, tough capital stacks, and why critical mass and comparable values matter for lenders. Dorian shares lessons from large-scale planning work like the Michigan State Fairgrounds redevelopment—especially the need for an adaptable urban design vision backed by governance that can hold the line when conditions change.

They wrap inside Detroit’s iconic (and currently eerie) Renaissance Center, discussing what the RenCen’s future must include to succeed: integration back into the city fabric, more public space, and a redevelopment approach that doesn’t repeat decades of inward-focused design. Along the way, Dorian reflects on studying 450+ cities worldwide, what good city building means, and why Detroit—and Windsor—have “great bones” and a real opportunity to become something even stronger with the right leadership, planning, and community alignment.

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Where to Find Dorian Moore, FAIA:
LinkedIn -   / dorian-moore-faia-09925317  
Architectural Services - http://archiveds.com/
City Builders Detroit Podcast -    / @citybuilderslog  

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