Shining a GREEN Light on Detroit Vacant Land Reclaiming Vacant Land Through Green Infrastructure PROBLEM
RESEARCH QUESTION
There are an estimated 20 square miles of vacant land in Detroit. The City of Detroit is strapped for resources and needs community support to reclaim, manage and maintain vacant parcels. In order to do this we must equip communities and those interested in redeveloping vacant land with the knowledge and tools needed to shape the future land uses of their neighborhoods.
How can communities in Detroit utilize a flexible planning tool to develop green infrastructure on vacant land?
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RECOMMENDATIONS
INVESTIGATION METHODS Interviewed experts
1. The City should streamline the vacant land ownership process
Analyzed Motor City Mapping Data
2. Motor City Mapping should
Held focus group
collect more precise data on the amount of vacant and structureless parcels in the city
Reviewed examples from other cities
3.The City should develop a
framework for neighborhood cooperation on vacant land reclamation
The Greening of Detroit Vacant Land Program uses green infrastructure to turn vacant lots into vibrant community assets that reduce storm water runoff, and provides additional benefits to neighborhood stabilization, safety, property values and air quality.
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This project is part of a larger effort throughout postindustrial cities to streamline the vacant land reclamation process.
4 (FLEXIBLE) STEPS TO DEVELOPING GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE ON VACANT LAND
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Find a location
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Survey the neighborhood
Community Food Access Parks and Open Contamination Based Space Organizations
Naria Kiani Client: The Greening of Detroit Faculty Advisor: Vinit Mukhija
CSO Events
Safety
Dumping
Vacancy
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Choose and rank community priorities
Stormwater Mitigation
Cost
Beautification
Maintenance Effort
Safety
Income Generation
Environmental Cleanup
cost maintenance efforts storm water mitigation benefits active use benefits income generation benefits
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Match treatments to community priorities garden
tree stand
pocket park
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native planting $$$