A Productive Retrofit by Alexa Bush

A Productive Retrofit:

Tactical Approaches to Catalyzing Post-Industrial Urbanism in Detroitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Post-Residential Landscapes Alexa Bush / ALAR 8995/ Spring 2012 / Adv: Beth Meyer

DEFINING TERMS Productive landscapes can provide more than “beautification” or peripheral, transitional solutions to urban crises, such as the large scale depopulation and abandonment of residential land in Detroit. Rather, these landscapes can structure inhabitation as essential urban or infrastructural elements to generate more resilient post-industrial cities. These landscapes can be retrofitted into the existing social and physical systems of Detroit to offer new hybrid typologies to suit the needs of contemporary urban dwellers in a shrinking city, exploring “how landscape can be the generator of infrastructure, and of urbanism as necessarily formed by cultural interaction in the landscape over time” (Levy 2008).

Productive landscapes: managed landscapes that produce ecological, social, and economic benefits. Retrofitting: the process of adding new technologies or features to existing systems.

Black Locust Plantation, The Netherlands

DESIGN APPROACH

This design thesis explores an approach to reimagining Detroitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s residential fabric through retrofitting productive landscape elements into the existing neighborhoods using vacant land. It examines whether certain infrastructural functions and city services which are currently lacking and underfunded could be provided by the landscape in a decentralized model. This approach comprised three principle tasks: 1 - Investigate current conditions and the historical and ecological context of Detroitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s residential fabric to assess the opportunities and challenges 2 - Research productive landscape management techniques and materials, many vernacular, to develop a set of alternative tactics for providing infrastructure and generating urbanism in Detroit. These tactics are organized by scale, from small to large, and could be implemented by various stakeholders in a planning approach that seeks a middle ground between top down planning and bottom up effort 3 - Test the value and impact of the tactics against different site conditions by looking at three neighborhoods as case studies to investigate how these tactics might act together to regenerate urbanism in time

PART ONE: CONTEXT

DETROIT IN CONTEXT: CLIMATE 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10

T E M P E R A T U R E

P R E C I P I T A T I O N H O U R S D A Y L I G H T

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al i c gla

3.5 3 2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 0 A

16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 J

glacial moraine great lakes watershed great lakes winter winds detroit

DETROIT IN CONTEXT: VACANCY

CITY OF HIGHLAND PARK

CITY OF HAMTRAMCK

PUBLIC PARKS AND RIGHTS OF WAY OCCUPIED PARCELS

DETROIT IN CONTEXT: VACANCY

CITY OF HIGHLAND PARK

CITY OF HAMTRAMCK

VACANT PARCELS PUBLIC PARKS AND RIGHTS OF WAY OCCUPIED PARCELS

Legend

DETROIT IN CONTEXT: VACANCY

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Detroit has more vacant land than any city in the nation except post-Katrina New Orleansâ&#x20AC;? (Oosting 2009). CITY OF HIGHLAND PARK

CITY OF HAMTRAMCK

The city estimates it needs a minimum density of 16 people per acre to support current city infrastructure. Detroit currently has 8.

1 - City unable to provide same level of city services [sewers, public lighting, police, road repairs, snowplowing, general services, parks]

How might vacant land begin to provide distributed, rather than centralized infrastructural functions?

2 - Additionally, the city lacks the resources to take on added management of vacant land which it now possesses [mowing and maintenance, illegal dumping]

How might management change, or how could the ecological forces at play in vacant lots offer benefit to their surrounding communities?

VACANT PARCELS PUBLIC PARKS AND RIGHTS OF WAY OCCUPIED PARCELS

Legend

DETROIT IN CONTEXT: SHRINKING CITIES

cleveland 77.6 sq mi

vacant land 4.69 sq mi 6%

peak population: 0.9 million current population: 0.4 million

poverty rate US: 15.1% poverty rate cleveland: 35%

peak population: 2.1 million current population: 1.5 million

poverty rate US: 15.1% poverty rate philadelphia: 18.4%

peak population: 1.85 million current population: 0.71 million

poverty rate US: 15.1% poverty rate detroit: 36.4%

-55%

philadelphia 134.1 sq mi vacant land 5.55 sq mi 4%

detroit 138.9 sq mi

vacant land 17.11 sq mi 12.3%

-29%

-62%

sources: 2010 US Census http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/detroit_cleveland_buffalo_poorest_xg9YRt76wF57xG8m1wBIqL http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2009/09/detroit_has_more_vacant_land_t.html http://americancity.org/magazine/article/clevelands-comeback/ http://planphilly.com/rda-vacant-land-report-released

2008 Mortgage forclosure crisis

1950 Detroit Housing Authority builds housing towers

1,849,568

By 1963, urban renewal projects and highway construction have demolished 10,000 structures and displaced 43,096 residents (70%black)

mp 5M

1924 Brightmoor built as mass-produced worker housing

1980-2 Poletown Factory clearance

1954 Brown v Board of Education 1956 Federal Aid Highway Act

1949 Housing Act begins Urban Renewal

1942 Willow Run Bomber Plant opens 1943 Riots WWII

RECESSION

1934 FHA established GREAT DEPRESSION

WWI

1914 Ford advertises his “Five Dollar Day” wages

1899 Ransom E. Olds opens Olds Motor Works

1869 Michigan is nation’s leading lumber producer

1840 S Commercial logging ventures enter MI

1837 Michigan becomes a state

DETROIT IN CONTEXT: SHRINKING CITIES

1905 Water Works Park

1967 Riots

Downtown Detroit before urban renewal Cumulative funding in Billions

pop

HOUSING ACT vs. FHA LOANS

113

ula tio

1942 Willow Run B-24 Bomber Plant

0.3 6 1949

11%

1850-1880s Brush Park Neighborhood Built

0.6 12 1950

yr 1,422 1820

1830

1827

Turn of the Century Detroit

1840

1836

1850 1857

1860

1870

1875

1880

1890

1900

1885

1910 1891

1920

1930 30

1917

WAYNE

1.5 URBAN FUNDING

1.2 24

0.9 18

30 SUBURBAN FUNDING

1950

population 713,777

1967 Riots

1951 1952

1953

1960

1926

CITY LIMITS

MACOMB

1940 0

“separate but equal” ruled unconstitutional

1963 Protesting discriminatory mortgage practices

5 miles

1970

1980

1990

After 1926, the State Legislature prohibits Detroit from annexing futher territory

2000

2010

METRO REGION

DETROIT’S URBAN REMOVAL 1952: Lafayette Park is Detroit’s first urban renewal project The red line shows the extent of the area in Detroit where blacks were able to live due to redlining and City mandated segregation of public housing

1963: By 1963, urban renewal projects and highway construction have displaced 43,096 people from downtown, 70% of them black and demolished 10,000. Because most black families could not aquire housing outside of this area, many families were forced to double and triple up in housing

1973: Detroit pursues two more urban renewal projects, Medical Center and Elmwood towers. Private investors led by Ford II build the Renaissance Center.

1982: The Poletown GM plant displaces 3438 residents and demolishes 1176 buildings

1990s: The City develops downtown as an entertainment spectacle, allowing the construction of three casinos and two professional sports complexes

While the metropolitan region expands, Detroit focuses its efforts on trying to stabilize downtown by attracting middle and upper class residents, yet in the process, destroys much of the pedestrian realm that may have enabled the street life necessary to support downtown businesses.

VACANCY IN DETROIT : RESIDENTIAL LOT SCALE PATCHWORK

Standard Residential Lot 100-125’ 30-40’

87.7% of 0.1 ACRE 4000 SQ FT

Legend

VACANT PARCEL OWNERSHIP

OWNER

PURCHASE

LEASE

USE

City of Detroit | Planning & Development Department $150-$500 or (87.5% Vacant land) back taxes

Adopt-A-Lot free 1-yr use permit

Wayne County Land Bank

$500

No Formal Policy

$250-500

$50 Community Garden 1-yr lease

Privately Owned (Individual; Bank of Bank of Bank, LLC)

Michigan Land Bank

PARKS VACANT LAND OCCUPIED LAND MILES

PATTERNS OF RESIDENTIAL VACANCY: EXPOSING THE BACK ALLEY

ALLEYS Reinforcing infrastructure

CIRCULATION RESOURCE DISTRIBUTION | water | compost SEMI-PUBLIC REALM

VACANT LOTS Potential functions

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The vast housing precincts are truly post-industrial (or better, sans industrial) landscapes. As monocultures, the tracts of single-family homes...are truly one dimensional... Here in fantasyland the means of production is pure abstraction...â&#x20AC;? (Lerup 2006)

Residential fabric, Detroit, MI

“There’s so little market demand that much of the vacant land will remain empty for years, or even decades, as unproductive and untaxed, contributing nothing to the city’s recovery” (Gallagher 2012). Brightmoor, Detroit MI

ONGOING PROCESSES

ILLEGAL DUMPING Illegal dumping occurs on vacant lots across the city of Detroit. Much of this waste is dumped on vacant lots to avoid cost (fees for hazardous material disposal or tire recycling facilities). The problem is compounded by the incomplete demolition of structures and arson that leave materials and soil piled on sites.

ONGOING PROCESSES

INFLEXIBLE INFRASTRUCTURE Detroit’s infrastructure (water, fire protection, police, EMT, public lighting, snow removal, maintenance, tree pruning and forestry, waste removal) were designed as centralized systems for a city population of 2 million residents. Detroit’s current population is less than half that number.

DENSITY REQUIRED TO SUPPORT DETROIT’S CURRENT INFRASTRUCTURE | 16 PEOPLE PER ACRE

CURRENT DENSITY IN DETROIT | 8 PEOPLE PER ACRE

ONGOING PROCESSES

URBAN SUCCESSION

Elevated CO2 and temperature within the city accelerate the process of woody succession as plants have more growing days each year. Emergent vegetation within vacant lots is likely to grow faster and reach canopy closure in a shorter time frame (5-7 as opposed to 7-10 years). This process can provide a resource to communites; as the vacant lots revegetate, the trees will begin to shade out understory plants and reduce the need for mowing. PROJECTED URBAN SUCCESSION SEQUENCE YR 1: Annual herbaceous plants dominate vacant site (1-3’) [Crabgrass Digitaria sanguinalis, Poke Phytolacca americana, Queen Anne’s Lace Daucus carota, Plantain Plantago aristata, Orangegrass Hypericum gentianoides, Rabbit tobacco Gnaphalium obtusifolium, Ragweed Ambrosia spp, Festuca spp] YR 3: Perennial herbaceous plants and shrubs dominate, woody vegetation ascending (3’ +) [Horseweed Erigeon canadensis, Aster spp, Broomsedge Andropogon virginicus, Indiangrass Sorghastrum nutans, Goldenrod Solidago spp, Multiflora Rose Rosa multiflora, Brambles Rubus spp, Greenbrier Smilex spp, Honeysuckle Lonicera japonica]

ANNUAL HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL HERBACEOUS WOODY VEGETATION

from George, K. et al (2009)

YR 5: Woody vegetation dominates and canopy begins to close (7’ +) [Tree of Heaven Ailanthus altissima, Eastern red cedar Juniperus virginiana, Black Locust Robinia pseudoacacia, Cottonwood Populus deltoides, Boxelder Acer negundo, Mulberry Morus spp, Northern catalpa Catalpa speciosa, Siberian elm Ulmus pumila]

products

+N STABILIZATION

LUMBER LUMBER

STABILIZATION

LUMBER FIREWOOD CHARCOAL BIOMASS

LUMBER

CHARCOAL BIOMASS

LUMBER

flower 10

BIOMASS

2.5 Liriodendron tulipifera

FIREWOOD CHARCOAL BIOMASS

flower 20

-N

LUMBER FIBER/ROPE BIOMASS PULP

STABILIZATION

LUMBER

BIOMASS

fruit flower

HONEY

1.5 Platanus occidentalis

FIREWOOD CHARCOAL BIOMASS PULP

STABILIZATION

LUMBER

CHARCOAL BIOMASS PULP

STABILIZATION

WICKER CHARCOAL BIOMASS PULP

Homo sapiens

flower 30 (F)

FIREWOOD CHARCOAL BIOMASS

Gletiditsia triacanthos

EDIBLE HONEY

Salix spp.

EDIBLE HONEY

Populus deltoides

(IN) 0

2 Tilia americana

3.5 flower Maclura pomifera440

HONEY

P R E C I P I T A T I O N Catalpa speciosa

4 50 Morus rubra

flower 80

fruit flower T E M P E R A T U R E 60

EDIBLE HONEY

90 Robinia psuedoacacia

URBAN ECOLOGY

Prunus serotina

flower

ONGOING PROCESSES

PART TWO: TACTICS

1 - Spatial (Small < to > Large) 2 - Recreational Frameworks 3 - Ownership (Temporary < to > Permanent) 4 - Management + Harvesting

SPATIAL TACTICS

BEE HIVES

FUNCTION AND BENEFITS: BEE HIVES HOUSE COLONIES OF BEES THAT POLLINATE LOCAL PLANTS AND PRODUCE HONEY AND WAX. POLLINATION HONEY, WAX PRODUCTION

ONE LOT ~4000SQ FT

MULTIPLE LOTS ~24,000SQ FT HALF BLOCK ~50,000SQ FT

BLOCK ~100,000SQ FT

ORIENTATION: HIVES NEED PROTECTION FROM WIND AND EXTREME CONDITIONS; COULD BE LOCATED ALONG NORTH SIDE OF EXISTING STRUCTURES, BENEATH TREE CANOPY, OR SHADED BY HEDGES LABOR/MATERIALS: LOW; STARTER KITS CAN BE PURCHASED FOR $200 OR LESS; ONGOING CARE FOR THE COLONY ESTABLISHMENT TIME: 10 WEEKS TO GET HIVE ESTABLISHED SIZE: 4 SQFT; EACH HIVE NEEDS AN ACRE OF LAND TO POLLINATE

SPATIAL TACTICS

RAISED BEDS

FUNCTION AND BENEFITS: RAISED BEDS PROVIDE A WAY TO GARDEN AND PRODUCE FOOD ON SITES THAT MAY HAVE CONTAMINATED SOILS. ON SAFE SOILS, RAISED BEDS PROVIDE AN OPTION FOR MOBILITY-LIMITED PEOPLE TO GARDEN WITHOUT HAVING TO BEND DOWN TO ACCESS IN GROUND PLOTS. THE BEDS MAY BE RAISED FROM A FEW INCHES OFF THE GROUND TO SEVERAL FEET.

FOOD PRODUCTION SOCIAL ACTIVITY

ONE LOT ~4000SQ FT

MULTIPLE LOTS ~24,000SQ FT HALF BLOCK ~50,000SQ FT

BLOCK ~100,000SQ FT

ORIENTATION: SOUTH FACING OR FULL SUN SITES FOR VEGETABLES LABOR/MATERIALS: LOW; LUMBER, NAILS, HAMMER, SOIL, SEEDS OR STARTER PLANTS; RAISED BEDS NEED TO BE WATERED MORE FREQUENTLY THAN IN-GROUND GARDENS ESTABLISHMENT TIME: ONE WEEKEND SIZE: 32 SQFT; BEDS SHOULD BE NO WIDER THAN 4’ TO ALLOW ACCESS FROM BOTH SIDES

SPATIAL TACTICS

CISTERN WALL

FUNCTION AND BENEFITS: GATHERS RAINWATER FOR IRRIGATION AND SOME HOUSEHOLD USES (TOILET FLUSHING). COULD COLLECT WATER OFF ROOFTOPS OR NEARBY STRUCTURES. ON VACANT LOTS WHERE THERE ARE NO NEARBY STRUCTURES, A CATCHMENT WALL CAN BE BUILT TO PROVIDE IRRIGATION FOR GARDENING OR AGRICULTURE.

STORMWATER SAVINGS IRRIGATION/REDUCE METER FEES AND USE OF POTATBLE WATER

ONE LOT ~4000SQ FT

MULTIPLE LOTS ~24,000SQ FT HALF BLOCK ~50,000SQ FT

BLOCK ~100,000SQ FT

ORIENTATION: ANY LABOR/MATERIALS: WOOD FRAMING, METAL CATCHMENT SURFACT, CISTERN FOR STORAGE, HOSE, PUMP, FILTERS ESTABLISHMENT TIME: WEEKEND SIZE: 60 SQFT

CISTERN WALL COULD DOUBLE AS A GARDEN SHED

SPATIAL TACTICS

DE|FENCE

DUMPING

FUNCTION AND BENEFITS: DE|FENCE FORMS A BORDER AT THE EDGE OF A VACANT LOT ALIGNED WITH THE BUILDING SETBACK. IT PREVENTS ILLEGAL DUMPING BY PREVENTING CARS AND TRUCKS FROM DRIVING ONTO THE LOT BY THE CLOSE SPACING OF TREES (<6’ O.C. ) BUT REMAINS PERVIOUS TO PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT AND VIEWS INTO THE LOT. PREVENTS DUMPING FRUIT, NUTS, LUMBER DEPENDING ON TREE SPECIES STORMWATER CARBON SEQUESTRATION

ONE LOT ~4000SQ FT MULTIPLE LOTS ~24,000SQ FT HALF BLOCK ~50,000SQ FT ORIENTATION: ANY LABOR/MATERIALS: (PER 35’ LINEAR LENGTH) 10 TREES, SHOVELS, WATER 1. CLEAR LOT UP TO BUILDING SET BACK AND 9’ BEYOND. 2. MEASURE FIRST LINE OF TREES ALONG SETBACK LINE. STAKE EVERY 6’ 3. MEASURE SECOND LINE OF TREES, 6’ BACK. OFFSET 3’. 4. DIG TREE PITS AND PLANT IN ESTABLISHMENT TIME: TREES SHOULD BE WATERED FOR FIRST 3 YRS SIZE: 180 SQ FT

BLOCK ~100,000SQ FT

SPATIAL TACTICS

SHADE WALLS

FUNCTION AND BENEFITS: SHADE WALLS ARE PLANTED OPPORTUNISTICALLY ON VACANT LOTS AND STREET-RIGHT-OF-WAYS ALONG THE SOUTHERN AND WESTERN SIDES OF OCCUPIED BUILDINGS TO CUT DOWN ON ENERGY USE.. THESE WALLS MAY ALSO CHANNEL BREEZES THROUGH THE BUILDING. ENERGY SAVINGS/CO2 AVOIDED STORMWATER FRUIT, NUTS, LUMBER DEPENDING ON TREE SPECIES CARBON SEQUESTRATION

ONE LOT ~4000SQ FT

MULTIPLE LOTS ~24,000SQ FT HALF BLOCK ~50,000SQ FT

ORIENTATION: ALONG SOUTHERN AND WESTERN SIDES OF BUILDINGS AT A DISTANCE OF 1/2 MATURE CANOPY SPREAD LABOR/MATERIALS: TREES, SHOVELS, WATER ESTABLISHMENT TIME: TREES SHOULD BE WATERED FOR FIRST 3 YRS SIZE: 180 SQ FT

SPATIAL TACTICS

GROVE

FUNCTION AND BENEFITS: SHADED GATHERING SPACE OUTDOORS FOR LARGE GROUPS, MARKETS, FUNCTIONS. SOCIAL ACTIVITY FRUIT, NUTS, LUMBER DEPENDING ON TREE SPECIES STORMWATER CARBON SEQUESTRATION

ONE LOT ~4000SQ FT

MULTIPLE LOTS ~24,000SQ FT HALF BLOCK ~50,000SQ FT

BLOCK ~100,000SQ FT

ORIENTATION: ANY LABOR/MATERIALS: TREES, SHOVELS, WATER; TREE SPACING SHOULD BE AT LEAST 18’ O.C. TO ALLOW ACTIVITIES TO HAPPEN BENEATH CANOPY ESTABLISHMENT TIME: TREES SHOULD BE WATERED FOR FIRST 3 YRS SIZE: 1300 SQ FT

SPATIAL TACTICS

BIOMASSING

FUNCTION AND BENEFITS: BIOMASSING CAN PRODUCE FIBER PRODUCTS FOR ENERGY PRODUCTION OF FOR USE AS BUILDING MATERIALS WHILE OFFERING AN ALTERNATIVE TO DENSIFYING VACANCIES WITHIN THE BLOCK BY USING VEGETATION TO REPLACE BUILDING MASS. FIBER/BUILDING MATERIALS STORMWATER CARBON SEQUESTRATION

ONE LOT ~4000SQ FT

MULTIPLE LOTS ~24,000SQ FT HALF BLOCK ~50,000SQ FT

BLOCK ~100,000SQ FT

ORIENTATION: ANY LABOR/MATERIALS: TREES, SHOVELS, WATER; TREE SPACING SHOULD BE VERY DENSE (AS CLOSE AS 3’ O.C.) ESTABLISHMENT TIME: TREES SHOULD BE WATERED FOR FIRST 3 YRS; BIOMASS CAN BE HARVESTED IN 1-3 YEAR CYCLES SIZE: 1350 SQ FT

ALTERNATE ARRANGEMENTS OF BIOMASS

SPATIAL TACTICS

OUTDOOR ROOM

FUNCTION AND BENEFITS: SMALL OUTDOOR SPACE, MORE INTIMATE THAN GROVE. SOCIAL ACTIVITY FRUIT, NUTS, LUMBER DEPENDING ON TREE SPECIES STORMWATER CARBON SEQUESTRATION

ONE LOT ~4000SQ FT

MULTIPLE LOTS ~24,000SQ FT HALF BLOCK ~50,000SQ FT

BLOCK ~100,000SQ FT

ORIENTATION: ANY LABOR/MATERIALS: TREES, SHOVELS, WATER; TREE SPACING SHOULD BE AT MOST HALF THE WIDTH OF THE DESIRED ROOM TO GIVE A FEELING OF ENCLOSURE. ESTABLISHMENT TIME: TREES SHOULD BE WATERED FOR FIRST 3 YRS SIZE: 1350SQFT

SPATIAL TACTICS

WIND WALLS

FUNCTION AND BENEFITS: WIND WALLS REDUCE ENERGY USE AND COSTS BY BLOCKING WIND FROM OCCUPIED STRUCTURES AND CREATING OUTDOOR MICROCLIMATES. THESE LIVING WALLS COULD ALSO PRODUCE FOOD OR FIBER PRODUCTS DEPENDING ON THE SPECIES USED. ENERGY SAVINGS/CO2 AVOIDED STORMWATER FRUIT, NUTS, LUMBER DEPENDING ON TREE SPECIES CARBON SEQUESTRATION

MULTIPLE LOTS ~24,000SQ FT HALF BLOCK ~50,000SQ FT

BLOCK ~100,000SQ FT

ORIENTATION: TO BLOCK COLD WINTER WINDS, WIND WALLS SHOULD BE LOCATED ON THE SOUTH-WESTERN SIDE OF P ROTECTED AREAS. THEY CAN BLOCK WINDS UP TO 35X THE HEIGHT OF THE WALL. LABOR/MATERIALS: TREES, SHOVELS, WATER ESTABLISHMENT TIME: TREES SHOULD BE WATERED FOR FIRST 3 YRS; TREES MAY NEED TO BE PRUNED TO MAINTAIN DESIRED DENSITY FOR SCREENING WIND. SIZE: 500 SQ FT

SPATIAL TACTICS

ALLEY GARDENING

FUNCTION AND BENEFITS: ALLEY GARDENING USES THE SPACE BETWEEN WIND WALLS TO GROW FOOD OR OTHER CROPS. THE ALLEYS PROVIDE SHADE AND CAN ALSO BE HARVESTED FOR FRUIT, NUTS OR FIBER PRODUCTS. FOOD PRODUCTION FRUIT, NUTS, LUMBER DEPENDING ON TREE SPECIES STORMWATER CARBON SEQUESTRATION

MULTIPLE LOTS ~24,000SQ FT HALF BLOCK ~50,000SQ FT ORIENTATION: ALLEY SHOULD RUN NORTH-SOUTH LABOR/MATERIALS: TREES, SHOVELS, WATER ESTABLISHMENT TIME: TREES SHOULD BE WATERED FOR FIRST 3 YRS SIZE: 4500 SQ FT

BLOCK ~100,000SQ FT

SPATIAL TACTICS

LUMBER NURSERY

FUNCTION AND BENEFITS: THE LUMBER NURSERY USES MATURE TREES TO PROVIDE PARTIAL SHADE AND WIND PROTECTION TO A SET OF YOUNGER TREES GROWN FOR TIMBER. THE PARTIAL SHADE OF THE CANOPY CAUSES THE UNDERSTORY TREES TO COMPETE FOR LIGHT, GROWING STRAIGHTER TRUNKS WHICH MAKES THEM MORE VALUABLE AS TIMBER. LUMBER STORMWATER FRUIT, NUTS, LUMBER DEPENDING ON TREE SPECIES CARBON SEQUESTRATION

MULTIPLE LOTS ~24,000SQ FT HALF BLOCK ~50,000SQ FT

BLOCK ~100,000SQ FT

ORIENTATION: ANY LABOR/MATERIALS: TREES, SHOVELS, WATER ESTABLISHMENT TIME: TREES SHOULD BE WATERED FOR FIRST 3 YRS; OVERSTORY TREES MAY TAKE 15 YEARS TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT COVER. UNDERSTORY TREES CAN BE HARVESTED EVERY 5-8 YEARS. SIZE: 6000 SQFT

SPATIAL TACTICS

FUNCTION AND BENEFITS: THE LIVING SNOW FENCE DIRECTS SNOW TO ACCUMULATE ALONG ITS EDGES, REDUCING THE NEED FOR PLOWING. THE LIVING SNOW FENCE MUST HAVE A DENSITY OF 60% TO CAUSE THE SNOW TO ACCUMULATE. THE FENCE CAN BE SEVERAL ROWS THICK, AND CAN BE SUPPLEMENTED WITH A 60% SHADE CLOTH TO BLOCK WIND BENEATH THE CANOPY.

LIVING SNOW FENCE

SNOW MANAGEMENT STORMWATER FRUIT, NUTS, LUMBER DEPENDING ON TREE SPECIES CARBON SEQUESTRATION

BLOCK ~100,000SQ FT ORIENTATION: SOUTHWESTERN SIDE OF AREA TO BE PROTECTED; SNOWFALL WILL BE IMPACTED -10X THE HEIGHT IN FRONT OF THE WALL AND 35X THE HEIGHT BEHIND THE WALL. THE FENCE SHOULD BE LOCATED AT LEAST 200 FEET FROM THE AREA TO BE PROTECTED. LABOR/MATERIALS: TREES, SHOVELS, WATER, SHADE CLOTH, FRAMING, SHRUBS ESTABLISHMENT TIME: TREES SHOULD BE WATERED FOR FIRST 3 YRS; FENCE MAY TAKE 15-20 YEARS TO REACH FULL HEIGHT SIZE: 60000 SQFT

WIND FLOWS AND ENERGY

SNOW ACCUMULATION

SPATIAL TACTICS

FUNCTION AND BENEFITS: THESNOW SPREADER EVENLY DISTRIBUTES SNOW OVER A LARGE AREA. THIS CAN PROVIDE AN EVEN COVER FOR WINTER ACTIVITIES SUCH AS SKIING AND ALSO HELPS RECHARGE GROUND WATER AND SATURATE SOILS FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION. TREES HAVE A DENSITY LESS THAN 40%. SNOW MANAGEMENT WINTER RECREATION GROUNDWATER RECHARGE IRRIGATION FRUIT, NUTS, LUMBER DEPENDING ON TREE SPECIES CARBON SEQUESTRATION

SNOW FILTER

BLOCK ~100,000SQ FT ORIENTATION: SOUTHWESTERN SIDE OF AREA TO BE PROTECTED; SNOWFALL WILL BE DISTRIBUTED OVER AN AREA 10X THE HEIGHT OF THE FENCE. TREES SHOULD BE SPACED AT LEAST 15-20’ O.C. LABOR/MATERIALS: TREES, SHOVELS, WATER ESTABLISHMENT TIME: TREES SHOULD BE WATERED FOR FIRST 3 YRS; FENCE MAY TAKE 15-20 YEARS TO REACH FULL HEIGHT SIZE: 60000 SQFT

WIND FLOWS AND ENERGY

SNOW ACCUMULATION

RECREATIONAL NETWORKS

SKIWAY

FUNCTION AND BENEFITS: VACANT LOTS COULD BE CONNECTED AND COUPLED WITH ALLEYS TO PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO MOVE THROUGH THE CITY. DURING WINTER, SNOW PLOWING COULD BECOME MORE TARGETED TO ALLOW SKIWAYS TO FORM AROUND THE CITY. RECREATION SNOW MANAGEMENT STORMWATER

MULTIPLE LOTS ~24,000SQ FT HALF BLOCK ~50,000SQ FT SIZE:10,000 LINEAR FEET

BLOCK ~100,000SQ FT

OWNERSHIP TACTICS

ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS

FUNCTION AND BENEFITS: ACCESSORY UNITS COULD BE CONSTRUCTED AT THE BACKS OF LOTS, WHETHER VACANT OR OCCUPIED. THESE UNITS COULD ALLOW FOR MULTIGENERATIONAL HOUSING OR BE RENTED OUT FOR SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME. THE BACK ALLEYS PROVIDE A SECONDARY POINT OF ACCESS TO THE ACCESSORY LOTS.

RENTAL INCOME FLEXIBLE HOUSING

ONE LOT ~4000SQ FT

MULTIPLE LOTS ~24,000SQ FT HALF BLOCK ~50,000SQ FT

BLOCK ~100,000SQ FT

OWNERSHIP TACTICS

WEEKENDER HOBBY FARM

FUNCTION AND BENEFITS: VACANT LAND PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO AGGREGATE LOTS TO CREATE AN URBAN HOBBY FARM OR WEEKEND HOME. THIS ARRANGEMENT INVERTS THE USUAL CITY-HINTERLAND RELATIONSHIP, MOVING RECREATIONAL USE INTO THE INNER CORE. THESE WEEKEND GETAWAYS COULD BE SEASONALLY INHABITED ALLOWING ALTERNATIVE USES IN THE ON AND OFF-SEASONS.

HALF BLOCK ~50,000SQ FT

SIZE: 220,000 SQFT - 435,600 SQFT

BLOCK ~100,000SQ FT

MANAGEMENT + HARVESTING TACTICS

MOWING

Conventional way to manage vacant lots and turf areas in the city. This process attempts to arrest plant succession at a point of only a few weeks growth. As Detroit has lost population, some residents have taken over mowing adjacent vacant lots. The city now owns over 14 square miles of additional land and it lacks resources to maintain it, let alone the parks, schools, and right of ways that it is responsible for under non-crisis conditions.

MANAGEMENT + HARVESTING TACTICS

DIRECTED MOWING | MOWING FOR SUCCESSION Rather than uniformly mow lots, targeted mowing can allow succession to take place in proscribed patterns. This would not only save labor, time and fuel costs, but enable people to shape a grove or forest without having to transport, dig and individually replant each species.

YR 0: Structures cleared from site; site evenly mown

YR 1-4: Site selectively mown into a pattern; succession takes place between mown areas

YR 5-6: Trees begin to dominate patches; mowing continues and trees are selectively thinned

YR 7-8: Canopy closing; end of mowing

MANAGEMENT + HARVESTING TACTICS

COPPICING

Coppicing is a method for harvesting wood products from trees. It takes advantage of maintaining a trees root stock and certain species ability to resprout. Coppice shoots are typically straighter that open grown branches. COPPICE CYCLES:

PRODUCTS BY COPPICE CYCLE: YR 1: biomass/biofuel, wicker, baskets, kindling, pencils, brooms, artists charcoal YR 3: hoops, plant supports, stakes, handles

YR 5: poles, fencing, charcoal

YR 8: furniture, firewood, arbors, trellis

YR 25+: lumber

MANAGEMENT + HARVESTING TACTICS

FALLOW FORESTRY

The concept of “fallow forest,” a...term used to designate any forsaken space capable of producing a forest, represents a possible way to lessen the mental burden felt by society when faced with a wasteland, but also to lessen its material burden” (Gilles Clement)

Part II of successional management, people can selectively clear and limb already growing fallow or feral trees to suit their intent. This strategy takes advantage of the time that is already embedded in the process of reforestation. This can accelerate the process of “fallow forest” formation and adapt the process of reforestation to better align with community needs.

MANAGEMENT + HARVESTING TACTICS

OPEN VS FOREST GROWN

Open-grown trees develop lower branches and a fuller canopy. Forest grown trees grow straighter with fewer lateral branches as they compete for light. Forest grown trees are better suited as lumber trees since they produce straighter lumber with fewer knots. When forest trees (as opposed to savannah adapted trees) are grown in the open, they can have structural problems from having more limbs than they might in the forest.

PART THREE: CASE STUDIES

THE NEIGHBORHOODS

1 3

Legend JEFFERSONMACK ROSAPARKS BRIGHTMOOR Vacant00_region

8 Miles

JEFFERSON MACK current density: 1.75 dwelling units/acre density needed for existing infrastructure: 5.78 dwelling units/acre

1.1 sq mi 0.41 sq mi vacant

blocks up to 80% vacant most cleared of structure

blocks run nw-se

long blocks (up to 200â&#x20AC;&#x2122;x2000â&#x20AC;&#x2122;)

37% total land area vacant 56% private parcels vacant

GRO

SSE

POIN

ARK TE P

reet

or st

r roa alte

eet s str mer chal

conn

ROI

DET

ve mack a

reet

t val s e h c ker

e n av

erso t jeff

eas

SSE

GRO T POIN RK

E PA

POIN

ARK TE P

or str eet

SSE

conn

GRO

t tree ers s

r roa alte

chalm

ROIT

DET

JEFFERSON MACK

e mack av

eval

h kerc

Large scale vacancy = large scale infrastructure

stre

east

rson

jeffe

ave

GRO SSE POIN A TE P RK

STAKEHOLDERS

year-round residents

TACTICS DEPLOYED

BEE HIVE

summer residents

charter and detroit public elementary schools

ALLEY GARDENING

golightly career and technical center - green jobs career training for 10-11 graders

LIVING SNOW FENCE

city of detroit general services department

SNOW FILTER

SKIWAY

BIOMASSING

LUMBER NURSERY

WIND WALLS

SEASONAL HABITATION WEEKEND FARMS

winter sport enthusiasts

LIVING SNOW FENCE

Productive retrofit - landscape driven snow management Large scale and low maintenance

Productive retrofit - landscape driven snow management

SNOWPLOWING 25 miles

Conventional snow removal requires 25 miles of plowing in a neighborhood that is far less dense than originally imagined with far fewer residents and taxpayers to support the service. Could a new snow management pattern reduce the amount of snow removal resources required to keep the neighborhood passable in winter?

1950’s FABRIC

1950’s MAINTENANCE JEFFERSON MACK Current density: 1.75 DU/ACRE

DENSITY TO SUPPORT CURRENT SERVICE 5.78 DU/ACRE

SERVICE RETROFIT: SNOW MANAGEMENT

What implications would this have for future development of the neighborhood?

2010’s FABRIC JEFFERSON MACK Current density: 1.75 DU/ACRE

1950’s MAINTENANCE DENSITY TO SUPPORT CURRENT SERVICE 5.78 DU/ACRE

SERVICE RETROFIT: SNOW MANAGEMENT

SNOWPLOWING 25 miles

LIVING SNOW WALLS

MAX BUILDING HEIGHT

50’

200’

UP TO 35 * h1 0

WIND FLOWS AND ENERGY

SNOW ACCUMULATION

100

SNOW INFRASTRUCTURE AS PUBLIC PRODUCTIVE SPACE BERRY BORDER | 3-5’ H PRODUCTIVE GARDENS | 50’ W 60% SHADE CLOTH | 10’

PUBLIC ROAD WIND/SHADE WALL | 40-80’

SHADE PROMENADE | 30-50’ H COMMUNITY COMMONS | 200’ W

PERMANENT SHELTER |

SNOW FENCE

ZONE OF SNOW ACCUMULATION

WIND FENCE

PROTECTED ZONE

POIN

ARK TE P

or str eet

SSE

conn

GRO

t tree ers s

r roa alte

chalm

ROIT

DET

JEFFERSON MACK

e mack av

eval

h kerc

Living Snow Fences and Filters reduce conventional maintenance cost and suggest new urban form

stre

east

rson

jeffe

ave

GRO SSE POIN A TE P RK

SNOWPLOWING 4.5 miles SNOW FENCE 88 acres SNOW FILTER 2.3 miles

PRODUCTIVE RETROFIT

PROPOSED MANAGEMENT

Infrastructure creates new public spaces across the seasons

major road railroad city limit

private parcel vacant parcel seasonally occupied

public schools and libraries parks and public infrastructure charter schools golightly technical school non profits and instituions

living snow fence community and private gardens snow filter summer weekend farms winter park

clay soils clay soils - higher organic layer

600

1200

2400 FEET

BRIGHTMOOR 3.8 sq mi 0.5 sq mi vacant

current density: 4.19-5.80 dwelling units/acre density needed for existing infrastructure: 5.78 dwelling units/acre

blocks 33-50% vacant arson prevalent

blocks run n-s

typical blocks (200â&#x20AC;&#x2122;x600â&#x20AC;&#x2122;)

13% total land area vacant 22% private parcels vacant

lahser road

evergreen road

gran

d riv er a ven u

fenkell street

west outer drvie

lyndon avenue

schoolcraft road

i-96 river rouge

evergreen road

lahser road

BRIGHTMOOR

gran

d riv er a ven u

fenkell street

west outer drvie

Medium scale vacancy = medium scale infrastructure

lyndon avenue

schoolcraft road

i-96

STAKEHOLDERS

river rouge

individual residents

TACTICS DEPLOYED

urban farmers

city of detroit sewer and water

BEE HIVE

DE|FENCE

CISTERN WALL

SHADE WALLS

BIOMASSING

LUMBER NURSERY

GROVE

ACCESSORY UNITS

CISTERN WALL

STORMWATER SAVINGS IRRIGATION/REDUCE METER FEES AND USE OF POTATBLE WATER

ONE LOT ~4000SQ FT

MULTIPLE LOTS ~24,000SQ FT HALF BLOCK ~50,000SQ FT

BLOCK ~100,000SQ FT

ORIENTATION: ANY LABOR/MATERIALS: WOOD FRAMING, METAL CATCHMENT SURFACT, CISTERN FOR STORAGE, HOSE, PUMP, FILTERS ESTABLISHMENT TIME: WEEKEND SIZE: 60 SQFT

Productive retrofit - landscape driven water collection Medium scale and medium maintenance

Productive retrofit - landscape driven water collection Could providing water off-grid support the growth in urban farming and reduce demands on city potable water service?

WATER AND SEWER Extended to Brightmoor in 1926. Potable water used for all irrigation. Average daily water use: 100 gal/person

1950’s FABRIC

1950’s INFRASTRUCTURE WATER AND SEWER EPA mandate in effect for Detroit CSOs since 1982.

2010’s FABRIC

2010’s INFRASTRUCTURE

EXITING CONDITIONS

ALLEY WATERWAY 16â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

brightmoor farming zone

-distributed infrastructure developments -recolonize alley to gather water for urban farming

evergreen road

lahser road

BRIGHTMOOR

gran

d riv er a ven u

fenkell street

west outer drvie

lyndon avenue

Soils suggest zones for infiltration of stormwater;l arge aggregations of vacant parcels suggest key locations for rainwater collection and community gardening and urban farming to create new pattern of neighborhood development.

schoolcraft road

i-96 river rouge

PRODUCTIVE RETROFIT WATER AND SEWER Target soils for water conveyance outside of storm system Create cistern network for irrigation projects on vacant land

PRODUCTIVE RETROFIT

PROPOSED MANAGEMENT

50’ 50’

125’ 125’

16’ 16’

125’

16’

125’ 125’

50’ 50’

STREET STREET

ALLEY ALLEY

STREET STREET

ALLEY ALLEY

STREET STREET

EXISTING

125’ 125’

16’ 16’

125’

16’

125’ 125’

50’

125’

50’

STREET

ALLEY

STREET

ALLEY

STREET

PRODUCTIVE RETROFIT

125’

Habitation densifies on better draining soils; former clay pan areas becomes neighborhood commons

living snow fence

sand ridge bikeway basswood corridor

community commons

ROSA PARKS 3 sq mi 0.45 sq mi vacant

current density: up to 15.3 dwelling units/acre density needed for existing infrastructure: 5.78 dwelling units/acre

blocks 20% vacant

blocks run ne-sw

typical blocks (200â&#x20AC;&#x2122;x600â&#x20AC;&#x2122;)

15% total land area vacant 29% private parcels vacant

rosa

m dex

s bo

et stre 2th rd/1

a ulev

et stre

ue ven ter a

ood linw

et stre 14th

park

clair

gran

d riv er a ven u

i-96

i-94

et stre t n ou

rd leva ra

ou nd b tg wes

rosa s park le bou

reet

st /12th vard

stre

u aven

st 14th

ood linw

ter dex

ROSA PARKS

re nt st

mou

clair

reet 10

rand

g west gran

d riv er a ven u

leva

bou

Medium scale vacancy = small/medium scale infrastructure

i-96

i-94

STAKEHOLDERS

individual residents

TACTICS DEPLOYED

BEE HIVE

BIOMASSING

RAISED BEDS

SHADE WALLS

GROVE

ACCESSORY UNITS

BIOMASSING

ONE LOT ~4000SQ FT

MULTIPLE LOTS ~24,000SQ FT HALF BLOCK ~50,000SQ FT

BLOCK ~100,000SQ FT

Productive retrofit - landscape driven carbon sequestration and reduction Medium scale and medium maintenance; leverage denser urban fabric

Productive retrofit - landscape driven carbon sequestration and reduction Could dense tree biomassing improve carbon performance and protect future corridors for transit? DISCONNECTED CORRIDORS Motor City once had a robust street tree canopy cover, creating shaded outdoor places, as well as a street car system.

1950’s FABRIC

1950’s INFRASTRUCTURE DISCONNECTED CORRIDORS Dutch Elm Disease, Emerald Ash Borer and neglect have decimated the urban canopy, and the street car system was taken out shortly after WWII.

2010’s FABRIC

2010’s INFRASTRUCTURE

PRODUCTIVE RETROFIT ALTERNATIVE CORRIDORS Commerical right of ways and vacant lots are planted to create new urban connections and secure space for potential light rail

PRODUCTIVE RETROFIT

PROPOSED MANAGEMENT

60’

106’

20’

106’

20’

STREET

60’

20’

106’

60’

20’

106’

STREET

ALLEY

106’

ALLEY

20’

ALLEY

106’

STREET

60’

STREET

ALLEY

STREET

EXISTING

60’

106’

60’

STREET

ALLEY

STREET

ALLEY

STREET

PRODUCTIVE RETROFIT

106’

20’

106’

60’

A Productive Retrofit:

Landscape Retrofits Drive New Urban Form

Legend JEFFERSONMACK ROSAPARKS BRIGHTMOOR Vacant00_region

8 Miles

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Alexa Bush / ALAR 8995/ Spring 2012 / Adv: Beth Meyer