The Fluid Commons: Disconnections Mapping Risk and Opportunity along the Detroit River

DIS| |CONNECTION Mapping Risk and Opportunity along the Detroit River

A Guide to Adaptation Neeli Kakal + Gage Belko URP 551/Arch 509: The Fluid Commons, Fall 2020

Foreword Concepts Precedents Social Metrics Physical Metrics Existing Networks Alternatives

Foreword Concepts Precedents Social Metrics Physical Metrics Existing Networks Alternatives

The Detroit River historically provided access and connectivity for the communities inhabiting its shores. While its waters provide a critical resource for agricultural and industrial production in the region, as well as enable the movement of people and goods, they also carry an inherent threat flooding. Building on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood maps for the Detroit riverside communities, we investigate the areas most at risk in the event of a flood, the potential impact on residents in those areas, and opportunities for alternative spatial adaptation.

To build context around these places, we visualize the physical and sociodemographic characteristics of these areas as well as current networks of connectivity to local and regional facilities that provide critical services. Through mapping, we reveal a far-reaching network that is at risk of disconnection due to flood waters. By highlighting the interconnectedness of riverfront communities, we also identify important actors that have the responsibility to act on this threat, ranging from the individual homeowner to a regional governments. Documenting potential alternatives can facilitate adaptation and resiliency along the riverfront.

Foreword Concepts Precedents Social Metrics Physical Metrics Existing Networks Alternatives

We introduce a number of concepts in this project, some familiar and some more ambiguous, and this section describes the meaning we give to these terms to help guide us through the project. While the textbook (or Google) definition is a good place to start, the words themselves are complex and nuanced given the particular context, i.e. flooding along the Detroit River.

1. Detroit

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Foreword Concepts Precedents Social Metrics

Disconnection is both a result and a symptom of neglect. When the system - society as a whole, but also local governing bodies - ignores threats to human life and well-being, isolation and detachment is almost inevitable and quality of life is diminished. What is being disconnected from is access to resources. In the case of the Detroit River, these resources could be basic provisions such as food markets, potable water (and water treatment facilities), shelter, health care facilities and transportation. It takes thoughtful engagement, education, and action to reverse already-present disconnection and prevent future isolation and resource detachment.

Physical Metrics

the state of being isolated or detached

Existing Networks

noun

Alternatives

Disconnection

9

2. Flooded road in West Michigan

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Foreword Concepts Precedents Social Metrics

Revealed in the foreword and explored throughout this project is the present warning of flooding events along the Detroit River. Although flooding may be perceived as a risk itself, it is the social and environmental context humans have built for themselves that presents the most risk. For this region, housing located within flood zones presents issues of displacement - particularly for low-income residents.

Urban sprawl, industrialization, deforestation, and subsequent population loss leading to vacant lands and brownfields increase the risk of pollution and erosion from flooding. Lack of access to healthy foods and the transportation needed to get it is already a concern that would be exacerbated by flooding.

Flooding could cause stress on water treatment facilities which would lead to untreated sewage disposal into the river. Infrastructural failure would pose a health hazard to residents and add strain on health care facilities. The aforementioned sprawl and shrinkage leaves many residents and communities isolated from one another, preventing meaningful centralized solutions.

Physical Metrics

a situation involving exposure to danger

Existing Networks

noun

Alternatives

Risk

11

3. Vacant lots in the foreground, downtown Detroit in the background

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Foreword Concepts Precedents Social Metrics

The project goal is to mitigate risk from flooding and improve community resiliency through adaptive strategies. How do we do it? We identify and map areas of existing opportunities - Social capital, physical infrastructure and sustainable strategies.

We also inform communities - residents, leaders, organizations - and provide them with the tools for self-adaptation. It will take numerous strategies across multiple scales to attain resiliency. By locating gaps in the current network of opportunities, we can begin thinking of areas of risk as areas of opportunity - places where meaningful intervention improves day-to-day quality of life and gradually improves resilience to natural threats.

Physical Metrics

a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something

Existing Networks

noun

Alternatives

Opportunity

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4. Urban farm in Chicago

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Foreword Concepts Precedents Social Metrics

Floods are a natural process, the damage they impose on human settlements is the reality we have created for many communities. Dealing with this reality will take intervention at the scale of the resident, the scale of the community, the scale of the city, and the scale of the entire river region. The first step of any intervention is education. This project is intended, first and foremost, to reveal the current risks associated with human settlements along a river that will flood, which is done through data collection and mapping of the current context. The second step is identifying individuals, organizations, or groups of organizations that can address the challenges at hand while simultaneously providing a framework to do so - the third step. This framework will take the form of an index providing multiple strategy suggestions across multiple scales that can improve resiliency.

Physical Metrics

one of two or more available possibilities

Existing Networks

noun

Alternatives

Alternatives

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Detroit Climate Action Plan From Fallow BREEAM

A01 River Sites

University of Michigan Vulnerability Study A Fluid Frontier

A01 Postcards

Vignettes + Precedent Studies DIS || CONNECTION

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Foreword Concepts Precedents Social Metrics Physical Metrics Existing Networks Alternatives

This project does not exist in a vacuum, but instead contributes to decades of research around hazard mitigation, adaptation, vulnerability, and the reuse of land. For our work in the Detroit River region and as the largest municipality along the river, we chose to look at Detroit’s Climate Action Plan and the embedded vulnerability study carried out by students from the University of Michigan. This provides an understanding of the work Detroit is doing around climate change preparedness and how it looks at vulnerability as a way of advancing resiliency agendas. We also were inspired greatly by the work of Jill Desimini in her book From Fallow, which documents the multitude of possibilities that exist within a plot of vacant land. While the areas we are dealing with are not solely vacant properties, her method of indexing potential recommendations is an accessible approach to community planning.

5. 100 alternatives. Source: “From Fallow.”

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Foreword Concepts Precedents Social Metrics Physical Metrics

From Fallow is a representative index of how vacant land can be (re-)utilized in a post-industrial legacy city. The book rests on the premise that vacant land is neither static and unchanging nor is it destined for any singular future. Because of the complexity and possibilities available for vacant land, Desimini catalogs 100 ways to utilize such land so that these alternatives may be implemented, evaluated, combined, or even disregarded. From one end of the spectrum of recommendations is to “Do Nothing” while the other end of the spectrum recommends hard engineering and the development of property and buildings. Depending on the level of community interest, intent, and collaboration, there are alternatives that can be carried out by individual property owners, alternatives that require local government involvement, and alternatives that fall somewhere in between. The recommendations found in this book are relevant for the Detroit Riverfront as many areas along the river have experienced population loss, blight, abandonment, and vacancy.

Existing Networks

Jill Desimini

Alternatives

From Fallow

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6. Alternative 0. Source: ”From Fallow.”

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Foreword Concepts Precedents Social Metrics Physical Metrics Existing Networks Alternatives

Communities along the riverfront have varying levels of government support and this often is related to budgetary constraints. Rather than leaving these people to their own devices, particularly when faced with a looming climate emergency such as flooding, this project is contributing to the framework of resilience that communities along the Detroit River know so well through decades of self-reliance.

However, residents should not bear the responsibility of hazard mitigation and adaptation on their own. This project advocates for numerous scales of intervention and collaboration, much like Desimini’s work, from the scale of the individual, to the neighborhood, to the city, to the riverfront region.

No single solution will protect these communities from the social, physical, and economic harms caused by flooding; it will take a range of solutions at a range of scales and responsibility to guide adaptation.

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7. Impervious surface cover in Detroit, by DWSD Sewer District

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Foreword Concepts Precedents Social Metrics Physical Metrics Existing Networks

This study provides a number of metrics that can be used when assessing the vulnerability associated with a given place. The report by Taubman College University of Michigan’s research summary mentions that “A community’s vulnerability to climate change is determined by two factors - exposure and sensitivity.”

Exposure is how the community or individual feels the impact of climate change - Detroit’s Riverside communities are at a higher risk from flooding, hurricanes and inundation. Added to this, the urban heat island effect is directly proportional to the amount of impervious materials like concrete, paving and built surfaces present in a region. Sensitivity means how much an individual or community can be affected by the availability of resources during a disaster, the demographic profile of the communities - the age group, median household value, number of households, etc. Essentially, how the community can handle the impacts of climate change.

Alternatives

Detroit Climate Action Plan and Vulnerability Study

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8. Heat vulnerability in Detroit deduced from numerous factors

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Foreword Concepts Precedents Social Metrics Physical Metrics Existing Networks Alternatives

The CAP offers suggestions on solutions, governance and goals to build adaptive capacity to prepare for expected change and mitigate the risks of climate change. Based on evidence from research, designs to reduce negative environmental health effects suggested are increased vegetation, stormwater management, urban forests, green roofs, and green buffers. The next step is to identify local organizations that can contribute to the suggestions provided.

Businesses and Institutions are already playing their part in restructuring their business models to value people, planet and profits. An example mentioned in the report within the automobile industry are Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles where each have set emission reduction goals and reduced their production related waste and water consumption. Other organizations and institutions, federal being FEMA, HUD, and local firms such as Hospitals, DTE energy, Universities, nonprofit and for-profit firms, Sewage and water treatment boards, the parks and recreational teams, riverfront conservancies etc., are contributors to the mitigation efforts.

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Data

Scale+Atrnivs

Foreword Concepts Precedents Social Metrics Physical Metrics Existing Networks Alternatives

Measuring vulnerability is a complicated task with dozens of potential parameters to consider.

Based on our precedent studies, vulnerability can be measured based on social and physical (environmental) impacts of a given risk factor.

While the definitions of social and physical impacts can be disputed (e.g. population is a sociodemographic metric that is highly spatialized) we are also taking into consideration the scale at which we are working. In order to move from a larger unit of analysis (the entire riverfront) to a more localized unit of analysis, we chose population and income as our indicators of social impact, which are easily visualized at the census level.

0

1.5

Census Tract

3

6 Municipality

9 Miles Detroit River

Detroit

River Rouge Ecorse Lincoln Park

Ontario, Canada

Wyandotte Riverview

Trenton Grosse Isle Gibraltar

Brownstown

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N

Foreword Concepts Physical Metrics Existing Networks Alternatives

First, it is necessary to understand the imposed boundaries that allow for data collection and potential adaptation strategies. “Boundaries” are not necessarily a metric in that we are not measuring anything, but simply defining the parameters that guide local decision-making. We are working at three scales here: the census tract, which is our unit of comparison of social metrics at the river scale; the municipality, which could help inform mitigation and adaptation strategies within jurisdictions (census tracts have no jurisdictional or legal responsibility); and finally, the entire river region itself, which highlights the interconnectedness of the municipalities, census tracts, and existing and future socioeconomic networks. When proposing alternatives for flood mitigation, it is helpful to understand the regional impact of such initiatives and be aware of potential partnerships.

Social Metrics

Precedents

Boundaries

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0

1.5 </= 1,000

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3

6

9 Miles </= 5,000

N

Foreword Concepts Physical Metrics Existing Networks Alternatives

Total population of a given census tract is a good indicator of the level of impact a major flooding event would have on an area. More people = more impact.

Within the project, we mapped out the population into five groups. The highest population census tracts were kept in mind for further exploration as they are the most vulnerable with respect to economic impact. Additionally, risk and opportunities in more populated census tracts are more of a concern as it affects a larger group of residents.

Social Metrics

Precedents

Population

35

0

1.5

3

</= 40,000

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6

9 Miles

</= 220,000

N

Foreword Concepts Physical Metrics Existing Networks Alternatives

Household income of a given boundary provides an understanding of the economic health of the neighborhood and helps compare living conditions between geographic locations. Lower- income, more populated neighborhoods with older housing stock are considered more vulnerable as residents may not have the capacity to bounce back from an emergency.

We can infer that if a major flooding event were to occur, lower-income households would be impacted the most as they could have less resource networks to effectively navigate such disasters.

Social Metrics

Precedents

Income

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Foreword Concepts Precedents Social Metrics Physical Metrics Existing Networks Alternatives

Similar to social metrics, there are seemingly endless physical (or environmental) factors to consider when mapping vulnerability. The most obvious physical factor to address is flood risk the areas within the projected 100-year floodway.

From precedent studies and previous vignettes for the region, we decided to include additional metrics that help inform water management and potential recommendations at the local scale such as imperviousness, tree canopy, parcel ownership, and existing structures. This additional analysis was carried out at a more local level to help inform potential interventions in these areas.

0

1.5

3

6

9 Miles

Floodway

Jefferson Chalmers

Gibraltar

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N

Foreword Concepts Precedents Social Metrics Physical Physical Metrics Metrics Existing Networks

As 100-year flood events - instances of major flooding that are expected to occur only once every century - become more common with climate change and increased precipitation, areas within the floodway will sustain repeated damage and people will continue to be at risk of disconnection. We utilized FEMAs flood data to better understand the impact in the region.

Of the three parameters used to choose our areas of focus, flooding was given the most consideration.

There are mild instances of flooding throughout the region, but the most significant impact is found at the river’s northern and southern ends. Because the river flows southward, communities in the river’s southern region could experience greater pollution from industrial and agricultural runoff.

Alternatives

Flooding

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0.5

1

2 Miles

Gibraltar

Jefferson Chalmers

0 0.25

DIS || CONNECTION

N

Foreword Concepts Physical Metrics Existing Networks Alternatives

Visual analysis of the social metrics and flood risk maps leads to two distinct areas of focus along the Detroit River: the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood in Detroit’s SE corner and Gibraltar at the river’s south end. From the flood data alone, it appears the southern region of the river is highly susceptible to flooding, however, most of these areas are sparsely populated agricultural or park lands. Jefferson Chalmers is notable as it is one of the few areas along the river’s northern region projected to experience significant flooding.

Social Metrics

Precedents

Focus Areas

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Precedents

Concepts

Foreword

Census Tract #: 5137

Social Metrics

Jefferson Chalmers Detroit, MI

Occupancy: 78%

Existing Networks

Persons Below Poverty Line: 31.8%

Alternatives

Median Household Income: $23,610

Physical Metrics

Population: 3,529

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Concepts

Foreword

Census Tract #: 5970 Population: 4,529

Social Metrics

Precedents

Gibraltar, MI

Existing Networks

Occupancy: 87%

Alternatives

Person Below Poverty Line: 6.84%

Physical Metrics

Median Household Income: $63,063

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0.5

1

2 Miles

Jefferson Chalmers

0 0.25

More Impervious

Gibraltar

Less Impervious

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N

Foreword Concepts Precedents Social Metrics Physical Metrics Existing Networks

Flooding is exacerbated by poor drainage and the level of imperviousness. Greater amounts of impervious surfaces (roads, parking lots, and buildings) impact stormwater runoff, preventing proper absorption into the soil. This can concentrate pollutants in groundwater as there is less surface area available for dilution. Determining where areas are more built up or more natural also begins to indicate what kinds of interventions might be possible. More built up areas would benefit from heavier engineering to provide flood resistant infrastructure while slowly replacing impervious materials with more porous materials.

Natural areas (even front lawns) would benefit from softer, less intensive green infrastructure to help support ecological processes that naturally mitigate flooding. Because green infrastructure is more accessible - in time, money, and effort - most of our interventions are of this type.

Alternatives

Imperviousness

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0.5

1

2 Miles

Jefferson Chalmers

0 0.25

More Trees

Gibraltar

Less Trees

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N

Foreword Concepts Physical Metrics Existing Networks Alternatives

As it relates to imperviousness, trees and other vegetation are part of an important ecosystem that naturally mitigates flood waters and prevents erosion and structural damage. Understanding the local tree system gives us a better idea of an area’s resilience.

Not only do trees provide flood protection, they are also excellent agents for removing air pollution and providing aesthetic appeal to an area.

Social Metrics

Precedents

Tree Canopy

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0.5

1

2 Miles

Jefferson Chalmers

0 0.25

Gibraltar

Public Parcels

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N

Foreword Concepts Physical Metrics Existing Networks Alternatives

The ownership of a parcel will determine what type of intervention that could happen, if any at all. Private parcels would require small, soft strategies such as rain gardens that a homeowner could implement. Public parcels could handle larger scale strategies funded by public dollars such as a community garden, citywide tree planting, or a network of roadside swales (depressions in the ground that direct stormwater).

Depending on the needs and the capacity of the community, where these interventions take place will be a matter of who owns the land.

Social Metrics

Precedents

Ownership

53

0.5

1

2 Miles

Jefferson Chalmers

0 0.25

Gibraltar

Structures

N DIS || CONNECTION

Foreword Concepts Physical Metrics Existing Networks Alternatives

Similar to the total population metric, vulnerable structures within the floodway would indicate a greater risk of impact. What we see within our areas of focus are largely residential structures, with supporting institutional and commercial buildings throughout. Addressing flooding in residential areas will require greater community consensus and may be more incremental in nature. Addressing flooding near cultural, institutional, or commercial areas could be larger in scale, but still require the of a private owner. Areas that have no buildings - vacant lots or natural areas - can also be larger in scale and, depending on ownership, could be provide faster remediation.

Social Metrics

Precedents

Structures

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Foreword Concepts Precedents Social Metrics Physical Metrics Existing Networks Alternatives

By visualizing the existing networks of opportunity, we can begin to understand where the spatial gaps exist. This network is developed with critical facilities in mind - places that not only provide shelter and resources during an emergency, but places that contribute to the day-today quality of life of an area - civic buildings, markets, and transportation nodes. Understanding this amalgam of opportunity and risk explored in this analysis lays the groundwork for site-specific interventions to mitigate risk and enhance opportunity, thus improving overall quality of life and the long-standing ecological quality of the area. This analysis is not conclusive, prescriptive, nor exhaustive. It offers a method to using mapping as a means to unveil unseen risks, opportunities, and possible futures.

N DIS || CONNECTION

Foreword Concepts Physical Metrics Existing Networks Alternatives

Transportation networks provide access to myriad other resources within an area, including food and medical care. These networks are at risk of disruption when flood waters overwhelm stormwater and sewer systems, forcing delays in medical care or evacuation and completely cutting off residents and communities from one another.

Jefferson Chalmers is a residential, affluent neighbourhood. This is probably the reason a highway isn’t passing through. On the other hand, Gibraltar which has a highway close by acts as a bane as most of the activities are concentrated to the west of the highway cutting off the residents on the east side of the highway.

Social Metrics

Precedents

Roads

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Jefferson Chalmers

N DIS || CONNECTION

Gibraltar

Foreword Concepts Precedents Social Metrics Physical Metrics Existing Networks

Food is a critical resource for daily quality of life and even more so in the event of an emergency. The map shows two circles, one for Jefferson Chalmers and the other for Gibraltar. The circles have been zoomed in to a radius of 2miles to show existing networks within that area. It also allows us to compare the two focus areas for the resources and facilities made available. The discrepancies seen could be due to median household income, housing density and population. It could also be influenced by political will and governance.

For the two areas in focus, JC has a lot of grocery stores, some also high end, to support the wants of the neighborhood. Gibraltar, in contrast, has just 1 grocery store within the 2 mile radius that is accessed by all the residents living in the area.

Alternatives

Grocery Stores (Food Access)

61

Jefferson Chalmers

N DIS || CONNECTION

Gibraltar

Foreword Concepts Precedents Social Metrics Physical Metrics Existing Networks

When waste water treatment plants are overwhelmed by flood waters, it threatens to compromise the entire region. Additionally, stress on such critical infrastructure could lead to untreated grey water entering the Detroit River. This circumstances lead to health and environmental hazards and cause irreparable damage to property and lives. Gibraltar doesn’t have any water treatment facilities near the water edge. Jefferson Chalmer’s closest CSO facility is in the Connors Creek area, not affected by the floods mapped in the earlier section of this document.

Alternatives

Waste Water Treatment Facilities

63

Jefferson Chalmers

N DIS || CONNECTION

Gibraltar

Foreword Concepts Precedents Social Metrics Physical Metrics Existing Networks

Access to quality medical care can impact the recovery of communities when faced with climate and weather emergencies. The placement of such critical facilities is crucial as it is highly sought after during an emergency. Access to and from hospitals have to be kept clear at all times for ease of usage at a time of panic. Both the focus areas have at least one major health care facility to treat patients at a time of risk. The location of the facilities is also important so it doesn’t pose as a risk in itself by being close to the water edge. It is important for a city to have adequate health care facilities to meet the needs of their residents so as to not cause additional strain on critical facilities such as a hospital.

Alternatives

Hospitals

65

Jefferson Chalmers

N DIS || CONNECTION

Gibraltar

Foreword Concepts Physical Metrics Existing Networks Alternatives

Police departments provide the necessary public safety and medical response in the event of a flood.

They also help keep the crime rate low, prioritize the safety of all residents and abide by the law to ensure a smooth working environment. Public service providers are especially useful during an emergency as they can act as mediators between the government and the residents. In case of a flood, they can act as leaders for small groups of residents and aid in evacuation due to the training they have undergone.

Social Metrics

Precedents

Police Stations

67

Jefferson Chalmers

N DIS || CONNECTION

Gibraltar

Foreword Concepts Physical Metrics Existing Networks Alternatives

Fire departments provide the necessary public safety and medical response in the event of an emergency.

They handle the population at ease especially in a time of panic and chaos. It is however alarming to notice that a fire department isn’t present in the Gibraltar focus area causing concern. As the region has a high density population, it is important for the municipality to take care of not straining critical facilities which are very important for day to day activities and especially during an emergency.

Social Metrics

Precedents

Fire Stations

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DIS || CONNECTION

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Data

Scale + Alternatives

Foreword Concepts Precedents Social Metrics Physical Metrics Existing Networks Alternatives

Climate change is here and we need to take responsibility and act now. To mitigate the risk of disconnection from flooding, this section of intends to serve as a stimulus for generating public and political support for action and awareness.

There are an array of specific ideas and attainable goals that can be utilized by residents, institutions, governments and organizations acting towards flood risk management and improving overall connectivity among communities and their needs. The purpose of this section is to suggest interventions that minimize risks and maximize opportunities for all communities near the river edge. Predominant strategies include water harvesting and productive landscapes as we are dealing with a case of risk management associated with flooding.

Small Lot

Institutional

Block

Community

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Foreword

Block - Multiple lots of varying scales and institutional spaces combine to form a block.

Community - Numerous blocks and several governing bodies constitute a community. This can be a neighborhood, a city, or a region.

Alternatives are also given approximate ratings for length of time to implement and relative cost of implementation, denoted by the following symbols:

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Social Metrics

Precedents

Concepts

Institution - Schools, religious centers, museums, industries, etc. which have a larger plot of land or an amalgamation of plots come under this scale.

Physical Metrics

Lot - This scale deals with residents and their individual housing lots.

Existing Networks

This section has a breakdown of alternatives at different scales to allow for various sections of the community to contribute. In this project, we’ve approached this section in four scales based on land occupied, governance, ownership, and size of investment:

Alternatives

Scale

75

DIS || CONNECTION

Foreword Concepts Physical Metrics Existing Networks Alternatives

Detroit has a mix of various housing types, with our two focus areas being comprised of predominantly single family homes. The alternatives suggest interventions that a resident can undertake within their plot of land. The following strategies can be incorporated depending on availability of funding, resources, and time.

Social Metrics

Precedents

Small Lot(s)

77

20. Water collection

21. Porous ground cover

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$ Pavements, parking lots and other hardscapes deter water percolation and groundwater recharge.

During rains, the abundance of rainwater entering the combined sewer systems causes additional strain on the water treatment plants which then causes untreated sewage to be dumped in the river. To avoid this, transforming impermeable surfaces to permeable will reduce strain on the infrastructure and increase the groundwater table. The options available as alternatives are - open cell concrete blocks, grass concrete pavers, woodchips, shells or gravel that can be used as paving materials.

Social Metrics

Precedents

Concepts

Foreword

Transform Surfaces

Physical Metrics

Water harvesting from roof stromwater runoof is a great sustainable option to utilise rain and snow.

There are two ways of utilising harvested water - the simplest being reuse for outdoor landscape irrigation.

The other option is utilising it for non-potable use, greywater supply (after treatment) such as toilet flush and landscape irrigation.

Existing Networks

$$

Alternatives

Harvest Water

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22. Roof gardens

23. Rain gardens

24. Vacant lot reclamation DIS || CONNECTION

Rock swales, bioswales, gardens with a variety of local vegetation and permeable surfaces decrease stormwater runoff, keep the micro climate cooler than surrounding areas and also help recharge groundwater.

Reclaim Vacant Lots

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In the case of Detroit, the number of vacant plots are many.. Residents can utilise the opportunity to have their own vegetable garden, increase aesthetic appeal and promote cooler micro climate. In the summer months, residents can also have their own composting pit and utilize the manure for their vegetation.

Precedents

Concepts

Foreword

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Social Metrics

Plant Rain Gardens

Physical Metrics

Vegetated roofs and vertical walls offer better air quality, decrease urban heat island effects, decrease building insulation, filter roof stormwater runoff and also offer aesthetic appeal. The cost associated is slightly expensive, hence it is not generally adopted for a small scale project.

Existing Networks

$$

Alternatives

Plant Roof Gardens

81

DIS || CONNECTION

Foreword Concepts Precedents Existing Networks Alternatives

A number of lots put together or a larger commercial, educational, or religious lot forms an institution scale piece of land that can be utilized for numerous interventions. Institutions can also comprise one large lot that is privately held. Following are some strategies that can be implemented on these larger public/private lots.

Physical Metrics

Social Metrics

Institutional Lot(s)

83

25. Parking lot remediation

26. Campus landscaping and tree planting

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$$

Planting more trees and increasing softscape - Given the scale of institutional/industrial development, planting more trees will affect the micro climate, bringing the temperature down, providing shade to pedestrians and creating man made water bodies to attract wildlife.

Social Metrics

Precedents

Concepts

Foreword

Plant Trees

Physical Metrics

Utilizing Parking Lots- Generally all institutional scale buildings have a lot of space for parking. These are all well paved, asphalt or concrete lots. However, changing these large masses of impenetrable surfaces which also reflect and retain a lot of heat, into permeable surfaces would increase stormwater surface runoff percolation cooling the land. This can be achieved by adding bioswales and breaking the monotony of parking lots and changing the paving into pervious pavers. Additionally, water can be collected and harvested for landscape

Existing Networks

$$

Alternatives

Transform Parking Lots

85

DIS || CONNECTION

Foreword Concepts Physical Metrics Existing Networks Alternatives

A combination of lots, both small scale residential and larger scale institutional, forms a block. At this scale, neighbors must work together, possibly with local government, to implement larger remediation projects.

Social Metrics

Precedents

Block

87

27. Community garden in Detroit

28. Roadside ditch in Detroit

DIS || CONNECTION

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Similar to rain gardens and parking lot bioswales, ditches along the side of the road in residential areas can help retain stormwater runoff and prevent roads from being submerged. In older neighborhoods, sewer and stormwater systems can easily be overwhlemed and ditches provide a low impact alternative to expensive infrastructure.

Social Metrics

Precedents

Concepts

Foreword

Dig Ditches

Physical Metrics

Medium scale gardens can produce fresh produce to supplement grocery purchases. These gardens help remediate the soil and siphon rainwater, protecting nearby homes and businesses. In Detroit, where neighbors are already purchasing and merging vacant lots, small-scale gardens can quickly become a neighborhood initiative. Along with gardens, small-scale neighborhood tree planting can help mitigate erosion and further regulate stormwater while contributing to the reduction of heat and air pollution in the area.

Existing Networks

$$

Alternatives Alternatives

Plant Food

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DIS || CONNECTION

Foreword Concepts Physical Metrics Existing Networks Alternatives

This is the largest scale of intervention which comprises many blocks, neighborhoods, or municipalities to form communities or networks of communities.

Alternatives at this scale require government initiative, funding, and coordination aimed at improving the larger network of development.

Social Metrics

Precedents

Community

91

29. Tree planting in Detroit

30. Fitzgerald neighborhood revitalization Strategic Neighborhood Fund

DIS || CONNECTION

Large scale urban agriculture can be accomplished through zoning, brownfield remediation, and proper incentives. Bringing farming closer to the city can provide jobs, improve permeability of an area, and make use of swathes of vacant land.

Create a Network

$$$

By implementing the previous strategies and connecting them to existing parks, agriculture, and water bodies, a regional network of resiliency can be formed. Natural systems have been disrupted by human development and the most vulnerable communities pay the price - careful planning and coordination can begin to reconnect and balance these systems and communities.

Precedents

Concepts

Foreword

$$$

Social Metrics

Plant More Food

Physical Metrics

City-wide tree planting initiatives already exist in Detroit, such as the Greening of Detroit. By improving the urban tree canopy, more rain water can be siphoned, more pollution can be sequestered, and urban heat islands can be reduced. This improves the livability, aesthetic quality, and safety of a community.

Existing Networks

$$$

Alternatives

Plant More Trees

93

Detroit Climate Action Plan From Fallow BREEAM

A01 River Sites

University of Michigan Vulnerability Study A Fluid Frontier

A01 Postcards

Vignettes + Precedent Studies

DIS || CONNECTION

!

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Data

Scale + Alternatives

Sources 1. The guardian, Why does anyone still live in Detroit?

2. MLive; https://www.mlive.com/galleries/ JLSL5L5Q2JAKJD7L7S3UKZANCE/ 3. Wall Street Journal; https://www.wsj.com/articles/as-itspopulation-falls-detroit-adjusts-1492394760 4. Milligan’s Gander Hill Farm; https://milligansganderhillfarm. wordpress.com/2012/09/07/city-farm/olympus-digitalcamera-127/ 5. From Fallow; https://fromfallow.com/Ideas 6. Ibid.

7. Foundations for Community Climate Action; http://graham. umich.edu/media/files/ClimateChateActionDetroit.pdf 8. Ibid.

9. Wayne County, Michigan 10. U.S. Census Bureau; 11. Ibid.

12. Federal Emergency Managment Agency; https://www.fema. gov/flood-maps/products-tools/national-flood-hazard-layer 13. Data Driven Detroit; https://sdc.datadrivendetroit.org/ profiles/14000US26163513700-census-tract-5137-wayne-mi/ 14. Data Drven Detroit; https://sdc.datadrivendetroit.org/ profiles/14000US26163597000-census-tract-5970-wayne-mi/ 15. National Land Cover Dataset 16. Ibid.

DIS || CONNECTION

17. Data Driven Detroit 18. SEMCOG 19. All aerial imagery and location data was derived from Google.com 20. Environmental Finance Blog 21. Cypress Creek Project 22. Greenroofs.com 23. Hobbyfarms.com 24. Deposit Photos 25. The Nature Conservancy Benefits Local Church 26. University of Michigan School of Music, Theater, and Dance 27. Daily Detroit; http://www.dailydetroit.com/2015/07/06/10detroit-urban-farms-rooting-goodness-into-the-city/ 28. InfraManage; https://inframanage.com/implication-ofdetroits-bioswale-on-its-infrastructure-asset-managementplanning/ 29. Model Media; https://www.modeldmedia.com/features/ greening-of-detroit-25th-071514.aspx 30. City of Detroit; https://detroitmi.gov/es/node/10801

Special thank you to Professor Maria Arquero de Alarcon and the Fall 2020 Fluid Commons class for all of the fantastic work and discussions throughout an incredibly difficult semester (and year). This work would not have been possible without you.