Hip Hop Architecture Camp Brings Urban Planning & Culture Together
“(The camp) also allows them to see…the immediate impact that they can have should they enter…the profession of architecture or urban planning,” says founder Michael Ford.
Every Saturday in February, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCAD) will host the Hip Hop Architecture Camp.
The camp uses hip hop to introduce students to the world of architecture, urban planning, and economic development. Participants will be collaborating with urban planners, architects, hip hop artists, and activists from Detroit. They’re going to be looking at how to make the city more accessible.
The Hip Hop Architecture Camp was started by Detroit native, Michael Ford. Ford went to Cass Tech High School and was in their architecture program. He eventually went on to graduate school at the University of Detroit, where the idea to use hip hop to talk about architecture and urban planning with kids began to take shape.
WDET’s Gus Navarro spoke with Michael Ford about the ways urban planning shapes culture and how the camp addresses lack of diversity issues in the architecture industry.
“Minorities make up less than three-percent of the architecture profession,” says Ford. “(The camp) is trying to introduce the profession to them, in general, but do that in a way that allows them to connect culturally.
“(The camp) also allows them to see…the immediate impact that they can have should they enter…the profession of architecture or urban planning.”
Click on the audio player above for the full conversation.
