Nationally renowned experts on urban issues such as housing, education and aging infrastructures will present during "The Re-Urbanization of Detroit" conference at Wayne State University, Nov. 16-17, at DeRoy Auditorium & Student Center Building

As cities worldwide grow larger and more globally focused, solutions to complex problems become a greater challenge to both students and experts. The Coalition for the Future of Cities (CFC), dedicated to the development of students in fields of urban interest, has worked with Wayne State to develop the first conference in Detroit that examines diverse issues facing major cities.

Through the collaborative efforts of various academic colleges within the university, the City of Detroit, private companies and other universities and colleges, the conference will explore the following issues, to name a few:

. How does a city re-urbanize while steadily losing population every year?

· How effective is the existing freeway system?

· How does a city overcome an astoundingly high dropout rate amongst its citizens?

· Who is responsible for providing affordable housing?

· What effect does an increasingly diverse ethnic population (Hispanic, Arabic, etc.) have on the historic black/white relationship?

Panel speakers exploring these topics on Nov. 17 will include: Neal Pierce, chairman City-states Group; Michael Pyatok, affordable housing architect, Seattle, WA and Tyree Guyton, artist. All activities on Nov. 17 are free and open to the general public beginning with welcoming and introductions at 8:45 a.m. and running through 10:00 p.m. with speakers, roundtable discussions and student performance.

The two-day conference will open on Nov. 16 with an evening of special activities requiring advance registration and tickets. Part of the ticket proceeds will be directed to the CFC Scholarship fund.

Events on Nov. 16 include special remarks by Wayne State University President Irvin D. Reid, award presentations, dinner and performances.

For registration, ticket purchase or further conference information, please contact the Coalition for the Future of Cities via e-mail at info@cfc-mi.orgor or call (313) 577-0539, leave message. Deadline for registration is November 10.