City Builders is often focused on great public spaces. What city has an exceptional grouping of public spaces, located close together and enhancing the downtown district? That would be Detroit!

Downtown Detroit has some of the greatest urban public spaces in all of North America!

Mark and Dorian discuss the urban design and architectural elements of the 1805 Woodward Plan that incorporates numerous public spaces, parks and green spaces to make an incredibly unique downtown built environment.

They describe various conditions that make up these public spaces and how the spaces are made great, not by the spaces themselves, but because of the surrounding architecture and physical enclosure.

Listen in to the dialogue about excellent public spaces, including one of the most recognized and award winning spaces in America.
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NOTE: All photos and videos shown in this episode were taken by Mark Nickita, FAIA and Dorian Moore, FAIA except as noted. They do not claim ownership of any third-party images, if unintentionally included, in this channel’s content. All rights remain with their respective owners.

• Some Aerial Images from Google Earth
• Sketch of the Necklace District/Downtown by Urban Strategies, Inc.
• Historical Photos of Woodward Avenue and the former Campus Martius Site from the "Memories Of Metro Detroit" Meta (Facebook) Page credited to a man from Longview Avenue in Detroit - Name unpublished. Images from the 1930s-1940s.

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City Builders hosts:

Mark Nickita, FAIA
President of Archive DS, Detroit + Toronto.
Architects, Urban Designers, City Builders

Dorian Moore, FAIA
Vice President of Archive DS, Detroit + Toronto.
Architects, Urban Designers, City Builders

Mark Nickita, FAIA and Dorian Moore, FAIA lead Archive DS, a distinctly unique urban design, architectural, planning and development consulting practice. Archive DS travels the globe studying and documenting urban development for use in practice in cities around North America.

They are City Builders.

Archive DS [Design Studio] is an award-winning team of urban specialists focused on re-establishing post-industrial cities and urban sites, with a primary emphasis on the Lake Belt Region of North America. Through architecture, urban design, civic leadership, entrepreneurial activity, lecturing and global urban research, Archive DS has established a reputation as experts regarding the enhancement of the built environment and their various challenges.

The firm’s partners also serve as a resource on urban issues, as civic and professional leaders for local and national media outlets. Their professional experience has encompassed many aspects of city-making. These include major civic projects, adaptive reuse buildings, innovative mixed-use developments and historic renovations as well as the creation of design and economic strategies, urban visioning, and Placemaking, in addition to working as developers and the branding of projects and urban districts.

Mark Nickita, FAIA and Dorian Moore, FAIA are available to assist in the development of building and urban design projects. They often team up with other firms and consult with development groups and municipalities. They have also presented and lectured for numerous groups on a variety of urban issues and topics throughout North America.

contact info:
www. ArchiveDS.com
info@ArchiveDS.com
313.963.6687
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Music for video Intro and Outro:
"Changers"
written and performed by Curtainwall

Curtainwall is:
Dave Baker - Guitars
Mike Gusway - Bass
Mark Nickita - Drums+Vocals
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Fair Use Disclaimer
The content shared on this channel may include copyrighted material used for commentary, criticism, news reporting, teaching, research, or education purposes. All such use falls under the guidelines of Fair Use under Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. § 107). We do not claim ownership of any third-party images, video clips, or audio featured in this channel’s content. All rights remain with their respective owners.

Copyright ©︎ 2026 City Builders, Mark Nickita, Dorian Moore. All Rights Reserved.