Tyler Spitzer-Wu


// University of Michigan
// B.S. Urban Technology
// Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning
// Minors in Computer Science and Real Estate Development
// Class of 2027

I am fascinated with the use of technology within the processes and systems of the built environment to improve efficiency and delight in development and user experience. Cities are centers of innovation, culture, and economy with unparalleled vitality; I am interested in how scalable products and efficient services can be deployed in them to maximally respond to the needs of a city’s users. I aspire to deploy my programming skills, design intuition, and entrepreneurial approach to positively impact cities in product, design, and technology roles.


Product Intern
    Cedar (AI + architecture startup)
    Summer 2025

VP External Affairs, Co-Founder
    URB Consulting
    Oct 2024 - Present

Design Intern
    Fletcher Studio Landscape Arch. + Urban Design
    Oct 2023 - Dec 2023





tylersw@umich.edu
Résumé
LinkedIn

Bus System Stakeholders

UT 230: Design and Urban Inquiries
MAR 2025


// Figma
// synthesis, research For this project, I mapped out the layered stakeholders and sub-systems within Ann Arbor’s bus systems. For context, Ann Arbor has two main bus systems: the M-Bus, which is operated by the University of Michigan, and TheRide, which is operated by the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority.


The biggest takeaway from completing this project came from the juxtaposition between the municipal and the university bus systems. While the University of Michigan is a public university, its extensive infrastructure and deep pockets effectively allows it to operate similar to a private institution in some regards. This was reflected in their bus system-- it is super streamlined, only has the necessary stakeholders, and provides an exceptional product to its users. Meanwhile, the TheRide’s stakeholder map is reflective of the AAATA’s status as a governmental institution that has to respond to, operate under, and depend on a multitude of higher-level institutions.

Here’s a snippet of the higher-level stakeholders that influence TheRide’s operations, through financing, planning, and/or regulations. Just in southeast Michigan, there are three separate institutions each with a stated goal of helping regional transportation systems like TheRide acquire funding. This increased amount of stakeholders also brings additional complexity, bureaucracy, and uncertainty that TheRide must deal with. This is an unavoidable fact that many public-sector agencies currently face.

On the other hand, the M-Bus system simply operates within the University’s hierarchical structure and it is abundantly clear who is in charge of what and how they produce the means to operate effectively.

Also of note is how many stakeholders were needed just to create a mobile ticketing system for TheRide. Two technology platforms along with another governmental agency had to collaborate to create the system. As the world modernizes, municipal governments need to build internal software teams rather than rely on external consultants for the software products that they will inevitably need. The resulting simplicity and long-term cost savings will create the best end goal possible: high quality, localized, and accessible services for city residents.

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