n April 2014, Flint switched its water source to the Flint River. The switch, along with a combination of other factors, corrupted the city’s water supply infrastructure of old lead pipes and dumped lead into the drinking water. Since then, city and state officials have been under a microscope in terms of how they will fix the problem while Flint residents struggle with the long-term impacts daily, especially the effects of lead on children’s health.

With a background in urban planning, geography and environmental science, Dr. Martin Kaufman stepped up to map Flint's water infrastructure to order to provide the information needed to start replacing the poisonous pipes. His research and the work of U-M Flint's Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Center estimated that more than 8,000 lead service lines exist in Flint.

Learn about how Dr. Kaufman (MUP ‘80; Ph.D. ‘94) and his team conducted their research, what progress has been made to date, and how Flint is a wake-up call for other older cities across the U.S.

Panel discussion to follow about environmental, fiscal and human costs of outdated water infrastructure:
Larissa Larsen, Associate Professor, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, and School of Natural Resources and Environment
Nancy Love, Professor, U-M Civil and Environmental Engineering
Shawn McElmurry, Associate Professor, Wayne State University Civil and Environmental Engineering

Moderated by Margaret Dewar, Professor, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning
Pizza House - Donated pizza will be provided for the first 150 attendees, compliments of Pizza House.

The Urban Planning Student Association (UPSA) and the Planners Network at Taubman College are raising money for Flint residents.
To donate via GoFundMe: gofundme.com/onedollaronegallon