The discussion about what makes a great city is often followed by a discussion about what makes Detroit unique.  What makes Detroit "Detroit?"  At one of our meetings, we had a brainstorming session to identify the elements that make Detroit unique; elements Detroit can focus on to give it a "sense of place."

These elements include:

• Auto industry
• Ford
• Henry Ford
• Model T
• Thunderbird
• Mustang
• Explorer
• General Motors
• Cadillac
• Escalade
• Chevrolet
• Corvette
• Chrysler
• Minivan
• K-car
• Lee Iacocca
• Early history
• Hudson
• Packer
• Studebaker
• Fisher Brothers
• Durant
• Automotive "firsts"
• Stop light
• Gas station
• Mile of paved street
• Suburban mall
• Assembly line
• Traffic jam? :-)
• Auto plants
• History
• French settlers
• Fur trade
• Stove manufacturers
• Lumber/lumber barons
• Unions/organized labor
• "Arsenal of Democracy"
• Race riots
• Canada/International border
• Ethnic groups
• Native Americans
• French
• Poles
• Greeks
• Jews
• Irish
• Italians
• Scots
• Belgians
• Southern whites/Appalachian
• Africans
• Hispanic/Mexican
• Asian
• Music
• Motown
• Smokey Robinson
• Supremes
• Four Tops
• Stevie Wonder
• Contours
• Temptations
• Marvin Gaye
• Aretha Franklin
• Jazz
• Yusef Latif
• Chem
• Blues
• Rock 'N Roll
• Bob Seager
• Alice Cooper
• Iggy Pop
• MC5
• Gospel
• The Winans
• White Rap/Rap 'N Roll
• Kid Rock
• Eminem
• "Garage Sound"
• White Stripes
• Von Blondies
• Detroit Cobras
• Sports
• Detroit Tigers
• 1984 World Series Champions
• Ty Cobb
• Corner of Michigan Ave and Trumbull
• Comerica Park
• Detroit Red Wings
• Joe Louis Arena
• "The Production Line"
• Gordie Howe
• One of the original six
• Winged Wheel
• Steve Yzerman
• 1997, 1998 and 2002 Stanley Cup Champions
• Detroit Pistons
• 1988 and 1999 NBA champions
• "Bad Boys"
• Isiah Thomas
• 2004 NBA champions
• Chauncy Billups, Ben Wallace
• Detroit Lions
• Pontiac Silverdome
• Ford Field
• Barry Sanders
• Boxing
• Thomas "Hitman" Hearns
• Joe Louis
• Kronk Gym
• Emanuel Steward