A multi-part experience by Carla Diana and Motomichi Nakamura that envisions a pedestrian-friendly future for public transportation in Detroit.
What if we reimagined public transportation as a community-driven network?
For most Detroiters, navigating the city without a car remains a daily challenge. But with growing national attention on public transit and the advance of mobility technologies, Detroit can lead in designing people-centered systems that better connect city neighborhoods.
MobilityTown: Out of Our Cars and Into the World brings to life a playful imagining of Detroit’s transit future. Across five interactive experiences, characters ride modular, self-driving electric trains that respond in real time to passenger needs. Nakamura’s bold red, black, and white visual language brings this imaginative world to life with expressive storytelling.
MobilityTown reminds us that the future of getting around is not just about innovation—it’s about people. When we center community voices and participation, we can co-create smarter solutions that enhance everyday life across Detroit.
MobilityTown premiered in May 2025 at New Lab at Michigan Central in Detroit. Continued exhibitions are in the works.
Contact Carla [at] carladiana.com for more information or to bring MobilityTown to your community.
This project is made possible by a 2023 New Work grant from the Knight Foundation.
It was developed in partnership with Michigan Central.