Policy Audit Topic: Landscape, Ecology, Open Space

DECEMBER 17, 2010
PHASE ONE: RESEARCH AND PRIORITIES
POLICY AUDIT TOPIC:
LANDSCAPE, ECOLOGY, OPEN SPACE
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010
TABLE OF CONTENTS
OBJECTIVES AND PRIORITIES 1
OVERVIEW 1.1
OBJECTIVES 1.2
GUIDING PRINCIPLES 1.3
SYNERGIES 1.4
METHODOLOGY 2
DATA COLLECTION APPROACH AND SOURCES 2.1
EXISTING CONDITIONS AND TRENDS 3
POLICIES/PLANNING INITIATIVES 3.1
EXISTING CONDITIONS 3.2
DATA RELATIONSHIPS / FINDINGS 3.3
PHASE ONE: RESEARCH AND PRIORITIES
PRECEDENTS AND BENCHMARKS 4
LANDSCAPE, ECOLOGY, OPEN SPACE
CITY PARK SYSTEM PRECEDENTS 4.1 AUDIT ORGANIZATION
RE‐PURPOSING AND STABLIZATION PRECEDENTS 4.2
PRELIMINARY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS 5
OPPORTUNITIES / CHALLENGES 5.1
THEMATIC DEVELOPMENT 5.2
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010
1. OBJECTIVES AND PRIORITIES
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010
POLICY AUDIT TOPIC : LANDSCAPE, ECOLOGY, OPEN SPACE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Overview
1. INTRODUCTION 3. METHODOLOGY 5. PRELIMINARY FINDINGS +

The landscape ecology and open space audit looks at the
current policies, trends, and priorities of Detroit’s open
Key references and resources are outlined, as well as an
acknowledgment of exclusions/missing data that is CONCLUSIONS
space system. The audit looks into historic landscape and unavailable. Leading from the discoveries within the previous sections, a
ecosystems and their erosion within the city as well as series of transformational themes are developed and
depicted diagrammatically. These themes incorporate
those areas where these systems are re‐emerging.
4. EXISTING CONDITIONS + initiatives currently underway in the city, trends based on
It is important that landscape is viewed not only at a
neighborhood scale, but also at a city and region wide
TRENDS past landscapes or the succession of new landscapes, and
precedents set forth by other cities within similar issues
A review of the DRD strategic plan is overviewed related to post‐industrial economies and shifting
scale to establish broader sustainable systems that highlighting the scales of parks desired within the park
Detroit can operate within. populations.
system. Additional scales and typologies of parks are
included from similar cities to provide additional Finally the short term and long term challenges and
2. OBJECTIVES AND PRIORITIES frameworks to hold, redevelop, or convert vacant lands into opportunities are outlined.
Objectives are overviewed, including guiding principles different states.
established in key documents. The City of Detroit
Recreation Department strategic plan as well as A review of the trends from settlement to the present day
community and regional initiatives are referred to including patterns of development and the loss of
throughout this policy audit. ecosystems are included as a base point to understand the
emerging landscape systems which are becoming more
prevalent within the city.
SOURCE: AECOM
1.1 DECEMBER 17, 2010
OBJECTIVES AND PRIORITIES
1.2 Objectives
THE PRIMARY GOALS OF THE DETROIT PARKS AND RECREATION
DEPARTMENT ARE QUALITY FACILIITES, EQUITY IN ACCESS, AND FACILITY
IMPROVEMENTS.
PRINCIPLE 1: FACILITIES PRINCIPLE 2: CONVENIENT PRINCIPLE 3: IMPROVEMENT
The basic existing facilities and programs are appropriate: ACCESS AND MAINTENANCE
focus primarily on improving them. Pay particular attention
to the needs of youth and elderly. Locate parks and recreation centers so residents of all ages The system should be one that the city can successfully
can use them on a regular basis. improve, maintain, and operate.
• Goal 1. Establish a classification system that provides
consistent and sustainable improvement standards for • Goal 5. Ensure proper distribution of park land • Goal 7. Improve service levels by:
each type of facility. throughout the city. 1. Increasing the average facility size for more
• Goal 2. Maintain the current rate of 5.6 acres of • Goal 6. Equitably distribute recreation centers to serve efficient operation, maintenance, and
parkland per 1,000 residents. all city neighborhoods. programming;
• Goal 3. Provide locally‐oriented recreation centers at a 2. Enhancing the quality of facilities; and
ratio of one per 45,000 to 50,000 residents along with 3. Decreasing the overall number of park and
two city‐wide recreation centers. recreation center sites.
• Goal 4. Provide parks and recreation centers of similar
quality throughout the city. • Goal 8. Make local facilities the priority.
• Goal 9. Establish a long‐term plan to phase and finance
system improvements and improve their operation,
maintenance, and programming.
SOURCE , Detroit Recreation Department Strategic Plan AECOM
1.2 DECEMBER 17, 2010
1.3 Guiding Principles

BUILDING ON THE GOALS OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION
DEPARTMENT, THIS POLICY AUDIT VIEWS ECOLOGY AND OPEN SPACE
SYSTEMS AS CENTRAL ORGANIZING AND CAPACITY-BUILDING
ELEMENTS FOR THE CITY.
UNDERSTAND THE UNDERSTAND THAT PROVIDE ALTERNATIVES TO
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN LANDSCAPE PROVIDES DELIVERY OF CITY
REGIONAL, CITY AND BENEFITS TO SOCIAL WELL INFRASTRUCTURE FUNCTIONS
NEIGHBORHOOD LEVEL BEING AND COMMUNITY THROUGH NATURAL SYSTEMS
LANDSCAPES. HEALTH. WITH LOWERED COST OF
Landscape, open space, and ecosystems function at a Publicly available open spaces provide recreational and
DELIVERY.
continuum of scales affecting larger and smaller systems. exercise opportunities, remediation potential, and
The relationship between the landscape and the city, and community pride and stabilization. Natural systems usage to establish green infrastructure at
nature and people are tied into this system. more sustainable fiscal costs, re‐established ecosystem
services at high levels, and provide opportunities for urban
agriculture and eco‐recreation.
SOURCE , AECOM AECOM
1.3 DECEMBER 17, 2010
LANDSCAPE AND OPEN SPACE

IN DETROIT FUNCTION AT
NEIGHBORHOOD, CITY AND
REGIONAL SCALES.
Opportunities to link these networks through the use of
vacant land or emerging landscapes should be explored.
Emerging landscapes include those areas of transition from
developed and maintained lands to a successional
landscape moving toward a more natural state. These
landscapes and the plants and animals that inhabit them
provide greater levels of Ecosystem service than highly
manicured lands.
Opportunities include:
• Greenways and alternative transportation networks
• Wildlife corridors
• Green Infrastructure
• Riverine system redevelopment
• Ecosystem Service improvements
SOURCE : Detroit Greenways Initiative AECOM
1.3 DECEMBER 17, 2010

PROVIDE BENEFITS TO SOCIAL
WELL BEING AND
COMMUNITY HEALTH.
Landscape provides opportunities including:
• Environmental Remediation to reduce toxicity in the soil
through phyto and bio remediation techniques reducing
availability of heavy metals and other environmental
contaminants in the soil to be spread through wind,
water or human activity.
• Access for recreation and exercise to combat illnesses
associated with sedentary lifestyles including , obesity,
heart disease, and diabetes.
• Open space may be used as a tactic to stabilize
communities providing a sense of identity and pride as
well as opportunities for community agriculture, art and
other activities to stimulate community interaction
SOURCE : CDC CHANGE tool AECOM
1.3 DECEMBER 17, 2010

PROVIDE ALTERNATIVES TO THE
TRADITIONAL DELIVERY OF CITY
RECREATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
SERVICES.
Natural systems usage to establish green infrastructure at more
sustainable fiscal costs, re‐established ecosystem services at high levels,
and provide opportunities for urban agriculture and eco‐recreation.
Opportunities include:
• Green infrastructure for treatment of storm water alleviating the
need to continue to maintain storm sewer systems for portions of
highly vacated land and reduce costs associated with meeting
requirements of the Clean Water Act and CSO storage.
• Vacant lands in highly contaminated areas can be ‘turned over’ to
nature to assist in stabilizing contaminated soils and provide
remediation as an interim method prior to future redevelopment
assessments.
• Re‐establish ecosystem services to create a healthier and more
sustainable Detroit.
SOURCE : Atlanta 2108 City in the Forest
1.3
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010
LANDSCAPE AND OPEN SPACE SUPPORT AND COMPLEMENT EFFORTS TO ENHANCE

INFRASTRUCTURE EFFICIENCY, REMEDIATE BROWNFIELDS AND REVITALIZE NEIGHBORHOODS.
Plan Elements Neighborhoods Open Space/Ecology/Urban Ag Environmental Remediation
Compatible uses Open space as organizing framework
Land Use/Zoning
Neighborhood anchors; access to healthy Public health interventions through site
Neighborhoods lifestyle choices; revitalization and land remediation
holding strategies
Park and rec uses tailored to the
Open Space/Ecology/Urban Ag neighborhoods
Efficient reuse of land and the built Open Space and ecology can be used as
environment. Dealing with effects of remediation technique (bio and phyto
Environmental Remediation demolition. remediation) as well as a land holding
strategy
Access to multiple modes of transportation; Non‐motorized mobility options Urban forests and ecosystem services to

Transportation walkability reduce dust, pollutants, and CO2 emissions
Access to utilities; condition of the public Green infrastructure systems and reduced Cleaner technologies; Green remediation

Infrastructure right‐of‐way maintenance and operations costs
Public safety, neighborhood services Maintenance; public/ private partnerships
Public Services
Newer thinking related to open space and
park system can substantially affect the city
Urban Form/Identity form in a positive manner
Land banking and re‐use strategies; green Land banking & re‐use strategies; Site
Economic Development energy production remediation; Remediation training
SOURCE : Synergy Matrix AECOM
1.4 DECEMBER 17, 2010
2. METHODOLOGY
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010
METHODOLOGY
SPATIAL ANALYSIS COMBINES

EXISITING RECREATION SYSTEMS,
DEMOGRAPHIC AND LAND USE
CONDITIONS, HISTORIC FEATURES,
AND EMERGING LANDSCAPES.
Key resources include:
• DRD mapping from Strategic Plan for update
• Historic mapping
• Vacant and publicly owned lands
• Mapping of proposed parks for non‐maintenance
• Mapping of DPS facilities, including schools proposed for
closure/consolidation
• Mapping of potential infrastructure systems for
capping/abandonment
• Mapping of master planned projects related to open space
systems including; River Rouge Green Infrastructure projects,
Detroit river greenway and Riverwalk projects, and planned
greenways.
• Mapping of emerging landscapes using University of Michigan
analysis as background.
• Mapping of regional park network .
SOURCE : DRD Strategic Plan AECOM
2.1 DECEMBER 17, 2010
3. EXISTING CONDITIONS AND TRENDS
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010
EXISTING CONDITIONS AND TRENDS
CITY, COMMUNITY-BASED AND

REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
ACTIVELY PLAN FOR A SYSTEM OF
OPEN SPACE IN DETROIT
• DRD Strategic Plan Update
• DRD/DPS Land Transfer Strategy
• Greenways Initiative
• Detroit Riverwalk
• Community Foundation Access To Recreation Initiative
• ADAMAH Project – University Of Detroit
• River Rouge CSO Green Infrastructure Initiative
• SHAR Recovery Park
• Huron Clinton Metroparks
• Wayne County Parks
• Campus Martius Park (PPP)
• Detroit Heritage River Water Trails ‐ MAC
SOURCE : A Greater Detroit American Heritage River Initiative and Metropolitan Affairs Coalition – Building the Riverfront Greenway AECOM

3.1 DECEMBER 17, 2010
PUBLIC/ PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS ARE

ACTIVELY DEVELOPING NEW
CONNECTIONS IN DETROIT USING
OLD INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS.
SOURCE : Detroit Riverfront Conservancy – Dequindre Cut Greenway map and photo (AECOM) AECOM

3.1 DECEMBER 17, 2010
NATURAL AND REGIONAL ASSETS SUCH AS THE DETROIT RIVER ARE BEING MADE ACCESSIBLE TO THE
PUBLIC THROUGH NEW PROJECTS AND OPEN SPACES.
SOURCE : AECOM AECOM
3.1 DECEMBER 17, 2010
THE DETROIT PARKS AND

RECREATION STRATEGIC
MASTER PLAN CONDUCTED A
FOUR-STEP PROCESS OF
ASSESSING FACILITIES,
What What What How do COMMUNITY NEEDS, AND
do we do we do we we get STRATEGIES.
have? want? need? there? The 2005 Strategic Master Plan for the Detroit Parks and
Recreation Department emphasizes maintaining equitable
access for all citizens, improving existing parks and
community facilities, and ensuring that the locally served
neighborhoods are the primary focus of parks and
community centers. Primary concerns relate to long term
maintenance and improvement funding.
SOURCE : DRD Strategic Master Plan AECOM
3.1 DECEMBER 17, 2010
DETROIT FACES THE CHALLENGE OF

UNDER-CAPACITY FACILITIES AS THE
CITY POPULATION HAS DECLINED.
Shifting and declining populations have created a spatial mismatch
between the available capacities of a widely dispersed city park and
recreation facility system and residential demand.
3.2 DECEMBER 17, 2010
DETROIT FACES THE CHALLENGE OF

MAINTAINING PARKS AND
RECREATION FACILIITES AS
REVENUE AND POPULATION
DECLINE.
Analysis conducted during the Strategic Master Plan indicates that
the vast majority of parks in the system are in poor or fair condition.
3.2 DECEMBER 17, 2010
THE CITY IS EXPLORING RE-

POSITIONING, LAND TRANSFERS,
AND PROPOSALS FOR THE NON-
MAINTENANCE OF FACILITIES TO
ADDRESS REVENUE GAPS AND
EXCESS SYSTEM CAPACITY.
Based on capacity in the existing park system as well as shifts in city
population.
3.2 DECEMBER 17, 2010
PARK PRIORITIZATION EMPHASIZES

THE NORTHEAST, NORTHWEST,
AND THE SOUTHWEST OF THE CITY.
3.2 DECEMBER 17, 2010
3.3 Data Relationships and Findings The current framework for Detroit’s park system is heavily based upon

delivery of recreational services to the community. This historical approach
CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES REQUIRE A NEWER to park development and maintenance has been losing favor amongst parks

planners for several years. The shortcomings of this approach to the park
LOOK AT PARKS AND OPEN SPACE

system in Detroit is evident in the unstable distribution of population which
is the basis for the parks system. By establishing a delivery oriented system
approach the city is reliant on a stable population within a one‐half mile
radius of each park. As the population moves and shifts, the parks that
were created to service these populations undergo a transition to neglect
and further non‐maintenance.
A newer approach to parks system development has been gaining
momentum for the last couple of decades globally that will help to alleviate
some of the issues facing Detroit’s park system as well as provide additional
benefit to the city through an alternative approach to infrastructure system
delivery, health and wellness, environmental remediation and land holding
strategies.
By looking at the parks system as a component of a larger landscape and
open space strategy, additional flexibility can be built into the parks system
to address the changing population distribution and population needs. This
larger system creates a sustainable framework for the city’s land that will
allow for enhancements to:
•Ecosystem Services
•Stormwater Treatment
•Air and water quality
•Environmental remediation
•Alternative transportation – bicycles and pedestrian networks
•Wildlife corridors
•Community gardening and community revitalization
•Place making
SOURCE : AECOM modified from Galen Cranz AECOM
3.2 DECEMBER 17, 2010
3.3 Data Relationships and Findings

COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC OUTREACH PROGRAM
PUBLIC ATTITUDE SURVEY INTERACTIVE COMMUNITY FORUMS

A statistically valid public attitude survey was 10 cluster‐based public forums were held to obtain resident input regarding the planning process. These forums provided residents with a
conducted in 2006 to understand current public platform to give their knowledge and thoughts on how to create a park system that would provide active and passive recreation in a safe, clean
perception of the City’s parks and recreation system and accessible environment. Following are key findings:
and to identify residents needs and priorities. Key
findings from the survey included the following: Overarching Theme: Residents felt that having a well‐maintained park system was very important. The City should identify what they can
realistically maintain before they begin renovating and or building new facilities. Additional thoughts included:
• 1/3 of all residents DO NOT use DRD facilities • Park services need to be reliable more passive activities (i.e. tables for chess, checkers, proper
• 1/2 of all respondents visit a city‐owned park or o Unreliable maintenance staff lighting, picnic shelters, BBQ grills, drinking fountains, water
recreation center at least one per month for a o Residents expressed their desire for simple equipment features (swimming pools/wading pools).
minimum of 2 hours o City needs to create a better sense of accountability and o More instruction and staffing
• 1/3 are satisfied, 1/3 have no opinion, and 1/3 are timeliness in projects and services o Programming and activity planning need to be coordinated at
DISSATISFIED with the quality and quantity of parks neighborhood scale due to varying demographics
and recreation centers • Maintenance and staff is a key issues
• Most of the desired facilities are available, and o More regularly scheduled maintenance • Age Group/User Matrix
residents simply want more of them o Much maintenance and upkeep is performed by o Parks should prioritize youth and seniors
• Residents want more: volunteer residents and organizations
o Neighborhood Parks near home with basic • Outreach
amenities such as basketball courts, • Partnerships to supplement city services are widely encouraged o Better marketing and awareness of activities
swimming pools, playgrounds, picnic o Untapped resources were identified for potential o More signage, better defined entrances
areas, and clean restrooms partnerships including block clubs, sports teams, youth
•Regional Parks provide large source of satisfaction groups, church groups, non‐profits, neighborhood • Access
for city residents. Belle Isle is the most popular and associations, private organizations, Americorps, and o Better parking near active facilities
well used park in the city colleges o More bicycle and pedestrian friendly access ways
•Resident priorities are: o Establish liaison office at the City which would help
1. Improve existing parks and recreation inform and coordinate community efforts
centers o Leverage residents adjacent to parks for daily park tasks
2. Increase operations and maintenance
budgets • Program and Activities
3. Build new facilities o Mobile recreation programs on a park‐to‐park basis AECOM
o Most requested equipment included wings, DECEMBER 17, 2010
benches/seating, walking trails and tracks, trash cans,

COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC OUTREACH PROGRAM
INTERACTIVE COMMUNITY FORUMS (continued)

• Size and Locations
o Preference for smaller more localized parks (3‐6 blocks from individual homes) that are easily accessible in time, energy, and transportation. These spaces were considered the “real
community builders” and due their smaller size have lower maintenance demands
o Larger parks, specifically Belle Isle were considered very popular
o Even geographical distribution of parks
o Better compatibility of land uses adjacent to parks
o Focus resources on populated areas
• Quantities
o All parks should remain open
o If a park closes, another park in the vicinity should be enhanced
• Safety and Security
o Safety and security was identified as a primary concern
o Greater distance between parks and party stores
o Locate parks within blocks to encourage neighborhood ownership and policing
o Security cameras in larger parks
o Proper and adequate signage in parks to back up police citations
• Funding
o Privatization of certain park elements, particularly destination‐type activities (i.e. roller rinks)
o Partnering with large corporations
o Leasing out space for community/personal events and business functions (i.e. office space) particularly within recreation centers.
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010

SECURITY + SAFETY
CITY OF LOS ANGELES | SUMMER NIGHT LIGHTS

The City of Los Angeles provides a great case study of the significant role parks can play in making The results of the program were staggering:
communities safer and more secure. The City of Los Angeles, like many large cities in the US, suffers
from a great deal of violence. In 2007, Los Angeles crime statistics included: • 17% drop in violence related crimes
• 86% reduction in homicides
• 1,323 shootings • City’s safest summer since 1967
• 3,256 aggravated assaults
• 216 homicides
• 2,719 carjackings and robberies
Research found that youth crimes increased during the summer months; particularly between the
hours of 4pm and midnight. In order to address this issue, the City of Los Angeles started Summer
Night Lights to combat violence in some of Los Angeles most dangerous and poor neighborhoods. This
initiative was spearheaded by the Mayor’s Office of Gang Reduction and Youth Development (GRYD) in
collaboration with LAPD, Parks and Recreation staff, interventionist, community coordinators, and
influential youth.
The Mayor’s office identified 16 parks in 12 of the most dangerous neighborhoods and from July 4th to
September 7th, Wednesday through Sunday extended parks hours until 12 midnight. During these
hours, they programmed a multitude of activities based on comprehensive needs assessment studies
completed for each of the GRYD zones. These needs assessment used a variety of techniques including
review of socio‐demographic and crime data, community surveys, focus groups with parents, youth,
and agencies. Activities provided within the parks included competitive sports, arts initiatives, family
programs, acting, dance, fashion design, t‐shirt printing, make‐up design, special effects, music,
drumming, and sound engineering.
Summer Night Lights also served to create jobs. A youth squad was hired for each park which was
comprised of “at risk youth,” defined as potential victims or perpetrators of violence. These youth were
given a stipend for 10 weeks and were hired to staff and assist with the programming of the park.
SOURCE: www.lacity.org/mayor AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010

ECONOMIC BENEFITS
PROXIMIATE PRINCIPLE Increase Revenues: Proximate Principle

Much research has been completed on the economic benefits of parks and open space; specifically
related to their role in increasing property values. Professor John Crompton from Texas A&M is widely Dallas Fort-Worth Metroplex, TX
considered the leading authority in this topic and has identified this notion as the Proximate Principle
The proximate principle deals with the impact of parks and open space on property values and the
property tax base. It essentially states that over time, a park will pay for itself and ultimately increase
the city’s revenues through an enhanced tax base. Many studies that quantify the impact of parks and
open space on property values have been completed over the years but arguably, one of the most
notable and comprehensive studies was completed by a graduate student at MIT. This study looked at
the impact of 14 neighborhood parks in suburban Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. 3,200 home sales
were recorded and analyzed over a 2.5 year (1998 – 2001) period. The 14 neighborhood parks ranged
in scale between 2.5 acres – 7.3 acres. All the parks were considered to be of standard park quality
well within the range of an evenly marginally committed developer. The study found that:
•Homes adjacent to the park (within 100 ft) have a
22.3% price premium relative to homes ½ mile away
•Homes within 300 ft. have a 15% price premium
•Homes within 600 ft. have a 5% price premium
•Price premium is Insignificant after 1,300 ft.
SOURCE : Source: Miller, 2001; Farr, 2008 AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010

PARK PROTOTYPE COMMENTS
PUBLIC ATTITUDE SURVEY • Community Park

o Good family park and should accommodate all ages during
o Residents requested inclusion of
technology training, access to
During the Interactive Community Forums held in the 10 clusters of the City, summer and winter internet, and after school
residents provided comments regarding the various park typologies found in o Appropriate for inclusion of recreation centers and dog parks educational classes
Detroit's park system. Following are key comments o Theatric opportunities
• Large Urban Parks
• Mini Parks o Spoken of very highly by residents, particularly due to Belle Isle • Regional Recreation Center
o Well received by residents as they provide leisure and respite o Facilities requested for large urban parks included go‐karts, mini o Well received and requested that
opportunities for children and seniors golf, camping, educational nature trails, amphitheaters, and they be spread out throughout the
o Residents would like to see more seating areas, shaded areas, recreation centers city
small paved multi‐use areas, and be aesthetically pleasing o Management , rule enforcement, and patrolling to minimize o Potential training centers for world
o No comfort stations should be provided unless specifically inappropriate use and illegal activities class sports events
requested o Overall, residents felt that large urban parks should be improved o Indoor track considered important
as opposed to building more within the City health‐related element that serves
• Neighborhood Parks elderly all year long
o Well received and commended for combining activities for a • School Parks o User fees for non‐residents
variety of age groups while keeping them relatively separate and o Residents were less enthused with school parks due to security
visible concerns
o Comfort stations should be included with amenities such as o Keep schools separate from parks or
drinking fountains o School may be well suited as parks for neighborhoods without
o Walking paths, good visibility, access control were considered parks but only at schools that serve higher level grades and have
desirable on all neighborhood parks good visibility
o Multi‐use fields, courts, and play areas encourage
• Sports Complex
• Garden Park o Good for the city and surrounding suburbs
o Idea of garden park was met with mixed reviews
o Residents felt that gardens might be included within larger parks • Community Recreation Center
o Garden parks should be established on a neighborhood‐to‐ o Considered an INVALUABLE neighborhood asset
neighborhood basis dependent on local interest o Stressed multi‐use facilities and availability of staff to use
o Consider locating near schools and senior citizens to foment specialized equipment
education and ownership o Importance of recreational centers serving as after school
o Theme gardens might be created to encourage children AECOM
catchment areas DECEMBER 17, 2010
involvement

DETROIT’S EXISTING PARK TYPOLOGIES
3.2 DECEMBER 17, 2010

3.2 DECEMBER 17, 2010

3.2 DECEMBER 17, 2010

3.2 DECEMBER 17, 2010

3.2 DECEMBER 17, 2010

3.2 DECEMBER 17, 2010

3.2 DECEMBER 17, 2010

LAFAYETTE PARK – COMMUNITY PARK EXAMPLE CAMPUS MARTIUS –PLAZA PARK EXAMPLE
3.2 DECEMBER 17, 2010

DETROIT’S EXISITING AND EMERGING OPEN SPACES COULD BE
ORGANIZED INTO TWO MACRO TYPOLOGIES: CULTIVATED AND
UNCULTIVATED
By understanding the role of natural systems and limitations of the current
delivery of parks and open spaces within the City of Detroit, a newer
framework for parks and open spaces should be created. As populations
Cultivated Uncultivated shift and additional fiscal and maintenance stresses are put on the city’s
systems, emerging landscapes develop and landscape plays a larger role
within the context of the city. By broadly defining landscapes as cultivated
or uncultivated a new vocabulary and new typologies are created.
parks meadows
community
forests
gardens
commercial riparian
agriculture buffers
natural
SOURCE , AECOM areas AECOM
3.3 DECEMBER 17, 2010

THE INCLUSION OF UNCULTIVATED AREAS IN THE OPEN SPACE
INVENTORY ALLOWS FOR THE TRANSITIONING OF LAND, FLEXIBLE
USES, AND LESS RESOURCE-INTENSIVE MAINTENANCE
CULTIVATED LANDSCAPES UNCULTIVATED LANDSCAPES
• Parks • Brownfields
• LOS analysis and DRD strategic plan • Associated with limited near term likelihood
• Stabilization of neighborhoods by conversion of of redevelopment
individual lots to park space in a maintained • Used for phyto or bio remediation as a
state temporary holding mechanism
• Community perception and desires for what is • Preservation of historic urban fabric with little
needed based upon DRD analysis to no redevelopment potential.
• Existing adopted master plan in place
• Specific typology based upon DRD strategic plan • Natural areas
+ additional identified strategies for • Used as a temporary holding mechanism in
stabilization. light of costs associated with maintenance.
• Provides ecosystem services and should be
• Community gardens maintained for a longer term or in perpetuity
• Part of an existing adopted master plan
• Use is currently in place • Green infrastructure
• Aids in confronting food security issues • Provides community benefit associated with
storm water storage/treatment, alternative
• Commercial agriculture transportation, or other community asset
• High potential for job creation such as air quality.
• Aids in confronting food security issues • Represents an immediate cost savings to
• Part of an existing adopted master plan continued maintenance of existing grey
infrastructure systems.
• Represents an immediate cost savings over
other infrastructure projects under
development.
3.3 DECEMBER 17, 2010
EXISTING AND NEW PARK TYPOLOGIES
Existing Park typologies
Cultivated landscapes New Park typologies ‐ cultivated lands
Uncultivated landscapes New Landscape typologies – uncultivated lands
Mini‐park – addresses limited, isolated, or specialized recreational needs Community Garden and Market Gardens – typically ranges in size from one Remediation Parks – used to stabilize soil and ground water which is
at small sites in heavily developed areas at with unique recreational tenth of an acre up two acres. Community gardens should be incorporated as contaminated. Can be used as a temporary land holding strategy or for
opportunities part of a larger strategy to address food security issues. These spaces require longer term phyto‐remediation sites. Can range in design from meadows to
close partnerships with community and neighborhood organizations. forests.
Neighborhood Park – serves as the recreational focus of the Historic Opportunity Parks – This typology incorporates historic structures and Uncovered Streams – re‐establishing riverine and hydric landscapes to
neighborhood, offers a balance of active and passive recreation activities components to provide unique recreational and programmatic opportunities. provide storm water utility benefits and relief to the existing combined sewer
to neighborhood residents, and provides facilities within walking distance Creates the ability to repurpose industrial properties and maintain some of the system. These landscapes become part of a larger system to provide wildlife
of their homes. unique character of Detroit. and eco‐corridors throughout the city and create non‐motorized access to
the river.
Community Park – provides for active and passive recreational needs of Rain Gardens – normally at the scale of a portion of a single lot, rain gardens Urban Forests – pockets of heavily forested lands especially those associated

several neighborhoods on a 30 to 50 acre site that is easily accessible by can provide localized storm water treatment as well as habitat for wildlife. or proximate to freeways and industrial areas which typically have mid to
automobile or public transit. This category allows for group activities and long term truck idling. These landscapes can provide air quality measures
other recreational opportunities not feasible at the neighborhood park and carbon sequestration as well as wildlife habitat and water quality.
level.
Regional Park – provides for active and passive recreational needs of the Pocket Park – single to multiple lots to create green space on vacant lands. Can Pixilated Open Spaces – networking and linking smaller vacant sites within

entire community by preserving large open spaces, usually greater than be used for multiple purposes or be highly naturalized. neighborhoods to provide opportunities for a greater combined system on
250 acres that can accommodate recreational activities not feasible the land which can be utilized to create greenways, eco‐corridors and green
within smaller park classifications and are easily accessible by automobile infrastructure solutions. Can be short term holding strategies or longer term
or public transit interventions.
Plaza Park – public spaces set aside for civic purposes and commercial Corner and Gateway parks – can be used to act as gateways or as entrances to

activities. They are usually located at the intersection of important neighborhoods. Used in conjunction with greenways, these spaces provide rest
streets or other significant locations. The landscape is mostly hard‐ areas and amenitize the trail system.
surface and may have trees or other plantings.
Sports Park – Consolidates heavily programmed athletic facilities and Agricultural landscapes – provide the opportunity to incorporate larger scale
associated fields at larger and fewer sites strategically located throughout agricultural production within the city landscape.
the community.
Intensive maintenance needs to minimal maintenance needs
SOURCE : DRD Strategic Plan, ReImagining Cleveland, and AECOM AECOM

3.2 DECEMBER 17, 2010
RESTORING THE HISTORIC,

NATURAL LANDSCAPE COULD
CREATE AN ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM
OF OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION
FOR THE CITY.
Detroit’s land was originally comprised of wetlands, swamps, and
lowland forests, with few mesic to xeric forests.
Much of this historic landscape has been lost to development by
agricultural and urban patterns.
SOURCE : SEMCOG Pre‐settlement mapping
3.3
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010
HISTORIC MAPPING AND LAND

COVER DATA ALLOW US TO
“REDISCOVER” THE LOST
LANDSCAPES AND NATURAL
SYSTEMS OF DETROIT AND MAP
EMERGING LANDSCAPES.
Historical development of Detroit shows that until the early 1900s a
fair amount of the City and region was still in natural or agricultural
landscape uses. During this timeframe, multiple water courses were
lost including: River Savoyard, Fox Creek, Conner’s Creek, Bloody Run
Creek and Baby Creek.
Early settlement focuses around the fort and waterfront with
portions of inland Detroit converted to farmland.
SOURCE : various historic maps US Library of Congress
3.3
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010

Settlement patterns generally continue to develop around the fort
and waterfront.
3.3
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010

First immigration wave occurs along with early industrialization.
River Savoyard becomes the city’s dump area and is filled in due to
health concerns.
3.3
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010

Rapid urbanization begins to occur with Bloody Run Creek beginning
to be encroached on. Majority of development is still focused along
the waterfront and the remainder of the city is characterized by
agricultural lands.
3.3
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010

Bloody Run Creek is lost, and Fox Creek is channelized. Conner’s
Creek becomes the last remaining natural hydrological feature in the
landscape. The immediate area surrounding Conner’s Creek is
designated as park land.
3.3
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010

Conner’s Creek is buried and the associated park land is developed
for industrial use. Portions of Fox Creek and Baby Creek are the only
remaining surface water features in the city.
Detroit’s natural features and systems are lost or compromised to a
point of diminished ecosystem services as Detroit’s economy
develops and potential use of the land creates higher priority than
the services provided by nature.
3.3
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010
AS VACANT LAND HAS INCREASED

AND URBAN FABRIC IS LOST, A NEW
SERIES OF LANDSCAPES ARE
BEGINNING TO EMERGE
THROUGHOUT DETROIT.
As land is vacated and not maintained, a new series of landscapes are
emerging. These emerging landscapes provide challenges and
opportunities for the future of Detroit.
SOURCE : PDD 2000 vacant lands
3.3
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010
X LANDSAT IMAGERY AND VACANCY

1 PATTERNS WITHIN THE CITY SHOW
MORE AREAS THAT ARE INCREASING
CLEAR IN VEGETATIVE COVER AND
EVIDENCE BASED
S T R AT E G I C
REVERTING TO NATURE.
DIRECTION
A study conducted by the University of Michigan GIS Department
showed strong increases in vegetation between 1975 and 1992 in
several census tracts, particularly on the city's eastside.
When combining these areas identified in 1992 with current

vacancy patterns in the city, the map on the left shows additional
areas of emerging vegetation and indicates the spread of open
space reversion to adjacent neighborhoods.
Area that combine lighter green colors with red parcels indicate new clusters of vegetative landscapes emerging in the city since 1992
(shown in red circles)
SOURCE : University of Michigan and AECOM

AECOM
2.2 DECEMBER 17, 2010
X OPEN SPACE REVERSION CONTINUES

1 THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
CLEAR A survey of vacant land by Detroit's City Planning Commission in
1990 noted that in those areas containing over 30% vacant land
“the amount of vacant land is beginning to have an effect; there are
EVIDENCE BASED
S T R AT E G I C
numerous weed covered lots and the decline is spreading to the
DIRECTION maintenance of the existing housing stock.” Areas reporting more
than 70% vacant land are described as “vast areas of open
space.”
Using the 30% vacancy percentage as a threshold, the map to the

left identifies in dark green those census tracts that based on
2010 vacancy data are in a likely state of open space reversion.
NOTE: The analysis of land satellite (landsat) remote sensing data

is the only method to accurately differentiate between vegetative
and impervious surfaces at a fine-grain scale such as a lot or
block. Working with landsat imagery requires approval to access
available data sets and the compression of multiple data views to
analyze the entire city.
SOURCE : Using Remotely Sensed Imagery to Detect Urban Change by Rhonda Ryznar and Thomas Wagner AECOM
2.2 and AECOM DECEMBER 17, 2010
EMERGING LANDSCAPES OF DETROIT

Site level analysis was performed for the areas around one of the first creek
systems to be removed in Detroit, Bloody Run Creek, to begin to understand
when the various components of these emerging landscapes developed and
what their progression might be.
• The image from 1960 shows very little vacancy and primarily residential uses
in the area. The box highlights a specific set of residential and commercial
blocks.
• By 1981 many of the residential buildings have been removed and a trend
towards the introduction of larger scale industrial development is occurring.
The highlighted area shows that the earlier residential and commercial uses
have been recently removed based upon the exposed soil and lack of
1960 1981 vegetative cover. The small dark areas at the Northern end of the property
show signs of water pooling.
• In 1997 the changes continue to develop with more land becoming vacant
and landscapes emerging from those areas abandoned previously. The
highlighted area shows that new vegetation in the forms of forests and
meadows are beginning to develop. The areas where water is pooling are
developing into larger and seemingly more permanent vernal pools.
• Today this area is characterized by a high degree of vacancy. New landscapes
are emerging and previously emerging landscapes are going through
succession and maturation. The highlighted area shows the maturation of
the early forest systems as evidenced by the deeper shadow patterns
indicating growth of the canopy. The vernal pools are still present but appear
that they are transitioning to a vegetative state as a natural wetland.
1997 2010
SOURCE : AECOM
3.3
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010

This diagram highlights the current state of the blocks located near East
Alexandrine and St. Aubin Streets. The land has gone through natural
succession and currently exhibits several habitats and forms a small
version of an urban ecosystem.
Natural pooling is occurring on the site create small ‘urban vernal pools’
which are beginning to transition to wetlands. Pockets of meadows and
forests provide habitat for wildlife and hold down dust levels improving
air quality and providing a carbon sink. The site is located in the historic
bed of Bloody Run Creek. If this system were expanded back toward the
Detroit river using the vacant parcels, a functioning ecosystem could be
returned to the city and provide multiple benefits including; lowered
storm water infrastructure needs, clean water, clean air, habitat for
pollinators and wildlife, recreation, and non‐vehicular linkages to the
river.
AECOM
SOURCE : Google Earth and AECOM DECEMBER 17, 2010
3.3
These two images show natural systems emerging on vacant lands in Detroit . This newly forming ecosystem is located near the intersection of East Alexandrine and St. Aubin Streets. The
images show vernal pools and wetlands, meadows and forest systems emerging from the city fabric. The area, originally residential, was demolished prior to 1981 with all of the
ecosystems seen here developing as natural succession occurs. These lands were originally lowland forests with the former Bloody Run Creek bed located in the vicinity. These natural
systems and processes are providing ecosystem services and community benefits, but should be designed to maximize these benefits.
SOURCE : Google Earth
3.3
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010
HOW DO EMERGING LANDSCAPES

COMPARE WITH PARKS AND RECREATION
CENTERS IDENTIFIED FOR
REPOSITIONING AND NON-
MAINTENANCE?
• Do synergies exist between these identified parks and opportunities for
additional open space usage outside of what would typically be considered a
park?
• Can any of these parks integrate into a larger system with vacant lands to
create ecosystem service capacity or public benefit through redevelopment
or as green infrastructure components?
SOURCE : University of Michigan GIS Department and City of Detroit
3.3
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010
4. PRECEDENTS AND BENCHMARKS
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010
PRECEDENTS AND BENCHMARKS
BENCHMARKING
DETROIT’S PARK
SYSTEM
•Tied for 17th with number of playgrounds
with 3.4 per 10,000 residents
•Ranks last in funding per resident at
$26/resident. Median expenditure for all
cities is $93/resident.
•Ranks last in operational funding per
resident at $23/resident. Median
expenditure for all cities is $64/resident.
•Ranks near the bottom in regular
employees per resident at 2.1
employees/10,000 residents. Median for
major cities is 5.4 employees/10,000
residents.
•42nd oldest park in the country (Grand
Circus) and 27th most visited park in the
country (Belle Isle).
•Below average in parkland as a percentage
of city area and parkland per 1,000
residents.
SOURCE : 2010 City Park Facts, Trust for Public Land
4.1
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010
PARK ACREAGE – TOTAL, AS % OF LAND,

PER 1000 RESIDENTS
Text
Detroit MI – 5,921 AC (6.7%)
6.5 AC/1000
Cincinnati OH – 6,817 AC (13.7%) St. Louis MO – 3,419 AC (8.6%) Chicago IL – 11,907 AC. (8.2%)

20.5 AC/1000 9.6 AC/1000 4.2 AC/1000
AECOM
SOURCE : AECOM DECEMBER 17, 2010
4.1

PER 1000 RESIDENTS
Text
Detroit MI – 5,921 AC (6.7%)
6.5 AC/1000
Cleveland OH – 3,130 AC (6.3%) Minneapolis MN – 5,864 AC (16.7%) Milwaukee WI – 15,037 AC (9.7%)

15.3 AC/1000 AECOM
SOURCE : AECOM 7.2 AC/1000 15.8 AC/1000
DECEMBER 17, 2010
4.1

PER 1000 RESIDENTS
Detroit MI – 5,921 AC (6.7%)
6.5 AC/1000
Pittsburgh PA – 3,120 AC (8.8%) Buffalo NY – 2,180 AC (8.3%) Boston MA – 4,897 AC (15.8%)

10.1 AC/1000 8.1 AC/1000 7.9 AC/1000
AECOM
SOURCE : AECOM IN‐PROGRESS: OCTOBER 20, 2010
4.1
BENCHMARKING WATER ACCESS

Detroit:
•3.5 miles of walking and biking trails currently built, full build out to 5.5 miles
•Mostly urban and hard edged with little access to the water
•Several parks are linked by the river walk with Milliken State Park and Harbor as the
primary ‘natural’ area
Pittsburgh:
•21 miles of walking and biking trails linking the three rivers in Pittsburgh
•Multiple large regional parks
•Various conditions from highly natural to very urban and hard edged
•Multiple access points to the water.
Chicago:
•26 miles of walking and biking trails linking multiple destinations along the lake front
•Multiple large regional parks
•Multiple access points to the water including beaches, piers and marinas
Cleveland:
•9 miles of walking and biking trails
•419 acre Lakefront State Park is the center piece
•Multiple access points to the water including beaches, piers, and marinas
Cincinnati:
•4 miles of walking and biking trails
•Multiple large regional and natural parks along the river
•Part of a larger regional network of parks and trails eventually completing a 75 mile
link between Kentucky and Columbus Ohio
AECOM
SOURCE : AECOM IN‐PROGRESS: OCTOBER 20, 2010
4.1
SAXONY-ANHALT, GERMANY ALTERS

PERCEPTIONS OF LOSS THROUGH THE
CREATIVE RE-USE OF ONCE VACANT
SPACES
Declining industrialized cities in the former German Democratic Republic have
banded together to investigate alternative and creative means to curb the
continued decline of their urbanized areas. The region’s economy, based almost
solely on manufacturing and heavy industry, has declined since reunification.
Population declines of 25% with an additional 30‐40% projected decline leaves
the region with a need to reorganize its urban areas to incorporate high rates of
vacant lands that have become ‘holes’ in the urban fabric. Multiple
interventions have been explored including; village clusters with ‘claims’ areas
Changing perceptions – local symphony performs in an abandoned recreation center swimming pool. for open space, artistic intervention into the landscape to change the perception
of loss, and to refocus the development patterns within urbanized areas to take
natural resources into account as a primary driver of urban form.
Linking the ‘holes in the urban landscape’ – new open space interventions provide opportunity for new form
SOURCE : IBA Cities initiative – Halberstadt
4.2
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010
RE-IMAGINING CLEVELAND USES

NATURAL FEATURES AS THE ORGANIZING
FACTOR OF THE CITY.
ReImagining Cleveland is a project that reveals former landscape and natural
features to become the organizing factor of the city as it moves out of its post
industrial shadows to focus growth, deconstruction, and community activities.
Strategies embedded within the plan include; deriving quantifiable benefits from
the growing inventory of vacant property, promoting opportunities for
revitalization, and linking natural and built systems within the city to improve
the quality of life, health and environmental benefits to the citizens of Cleveland.
Using nature as a primary driver, Cleveland hopes to increase the community’s
self reliance on food and energy production and to create a more sustainable
vibrant city.
Land Bank Decision making flow chart for the City of Cleveland
SOURCE : City of Cleveland Planning Commission from ReImagining Cleveland
4.2
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010
THE PHILADELPHIA VACANT LAND

STABLIZATION PROGRAM CREATES
POCKET PARKS AND OTHER
MAINTENANCE STRATEGIES ON VACANT
PARCELS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
The Philadelphia vacant lands stabilization program was developed by the City of
Philadelphia, Wharton School of Business, and the Pennsylvania horticulture
society to create pocket parks and other maintenance strategies on vacant
parcels throughout the city. Levels of development vary from rehabilitation of
structures to the incorporation of temporary landscape to full blown park or
community garden development. The strategy has at its core a series of
interventions onto publicly acquired parcels of vacant land to either serve a
community need or to hold the parcel in a maintained state until redevelopment
can occur. To date the program has invested $10m USD and developed 160
acres of new gardens, pocket parks, and amenities land.
SOURCE : Philadelphia Green
4.2
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010
MANY CITIES AROUNDTHE WORLD REINTERPRET THEIR

INDUSTRIAL REMNANTS IN CREATIVE SPACES.
Around the world communities have developed innovative ways of maintaining the relics of their past and
converting those into new active landscapes.
How could we achieve a similar intervention for Detroit?
How can we repurpose roads to provide stormwater conveyance and treatment outside of the traditional grey
infrastructure method of piping?
Seattle Gas Works Park
Maurice Rose Airfield – Frankfurt/Main – repurposed runway infrastructure to wetlands and green

infrastructure.
Duisburg Nord – Landschaft Park
SOURCE : Flickr.com AECOM
4.2 DECEMBER 17, 2010
MANY CITIES AROUNDTHE WORLD

REINTERPRET THEIR INDUSTRIAL
REMNANTS IN CREATIVE SPACES.
Around the world communities have developed innovative ways of maintaining
the relics of their past and converting those into new active landscapes.
How could we achieve a similar intervention for Detroit?
Duisburg Nord – Landschaft Park
SOURCE : Flickr.com
4.2
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010
5. PRELIMINARY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010
POLICY AUDIT TOPIC : URBAN AGRICULTURE + FOOD SECURITY
PRELIMINARY FINDINGS + CONCLUSIONS
5.1 Opportunities + Challenges
SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM
• Identify land holding strategies that address short to long •Identify a land holding entity for long term open and
term direction for parks and open spaces in the city. ecological spaces or change the charter of the Detroit Parks
Department to include open and natural spaces as part of
•Identify ‘grey infrastructure’ maintenance and update their purview.
needs and evaluate alternate delivery of these needs
through ‘green infrastructure’ systems to create cost •Identify lands that should become part of the urban fabric
savings and new open spaces. as permanent open and natural spaces.
• Identify opportunities to partner with local artists and •Establish a long term maintenance strategy that does not
institutions to provide new perceptions of vacated land. create a separation between the maintenance aspects of
Build upon industrial remnants and historic structures. parks and the planning and operations components.
• Identify additional open space typologies to incorporate •Identify highly contaminated sites which are not likely to
bio‐remediation, phyto‐remediation, urban agriculture, and redevelop in the next 10+ years for long term holding
urban ecology systems. strategies.
•Establish better connections between maintenance •Identify funding mechanisms with community groups,
regimes based upon newly established typologies. state and federal funding to establish additional value
within the parks and open space system.
• Identify community and government partners that are
large land owners within the city to establish potential
exchanges based upon need.
•Identify and categorize emerging landscapes as part of the
open space system to minimize negative environmental and
safety aspects of vacant lands.
SOURCE: AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010
5.1
PRELIMINARY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS
EMERGING LANDSCAPES PRESENT

CHALLENGES RELATED TO PERCEPTIONS
OF COMMUNITY DECLINE AND UNSAFE
CONDITIONS AND INFRASTRFUCTURE
DECAY.
Challenges of the non‐maintained landscape:
• Landscapes that revert to a non‐maintained state tend to continue to de‐
stabilize neighborhoods. Just as neglected and vacant homes stress the
fabric of a neighborhood, ‘overgrown’ landscapes show the same correlation
of effect.
• Public health hazards may be created by lack of maintenance including
mosquito borne illnesses, illegal dumping, illegal activities.
• Other infrastructure may suffer as a result of these non‐maintained
landscapes. Storm water and water infrastructure decays due to clogging and
corrosion. Streets become stressed as the systems designed to remove water
and snow are no longer functional or employed.
• Community perception of their area tends to decline as a result of the
perception of the lost rather than a focus on what is gained as a result. This is
especially true in older residents with a memory of the ‘good times’
associated with the place lost or the people associated with those places.
• As nature advances on these non‐maintained landscapes structural damage
will occur to historic properties and features of the urban landscape.
5.1
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010
EMERGING LANDSCAPES PRESENT

OPPORTUNITIES FOR A NEW PATH
FORWARD.
Opportunities embedded within the non‐maintained landscape:
• Allowing emerging landscapes to continue to revert to a natural state
presents an opportunity for land management at a lower cost than
traditionally maintained landscapes and open spaces.
• New natural systems can allow the recreation of ecosystem services to the
city. Ecosystem services would include cleaning the air, water and land.
• Creates habitat and resources for pollinators which are necessary for any
agricultural development either community based or commercial to exist in
a sustainable way in the urban environment.
• More sustainable and cost effective means of treating storm water
conveyance and treatment than manmade systems.
5.1
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010
HOW CAN WE HAVE LANDSCAPE AFFECT

CHANGE IN THE CITY OF DETROIT?
• What does the historic landscape and development pattern indicate are
areas for intervention?
SOURCE : AECOM
5.2
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010
WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE

EXISTING CITY PARK SYSTEM?
• Although a little below average as it relates to other comparable cities, the
Detroit park system suffers from larger issues that relate to the design of
the system around recreation and service delivery. This pattern does not
work well with a shifting population and declining tax revenues.
SOURCE : Detroit Parks and Recreation department and AECOM
5.2
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010
HOW DO DETROIT’S LANDSCAPES

INTERACT WITH THE LARGER COUNTY
AND REGIONAL SYSTEMS?
• The larger county and regional park systems create a framework to tie
Detroit’s system into. Although there is little connectivity in the way of true
green belts and greenways, surface streets and boulevards can be used to
stitch together an effective framework for the city.
5.2
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010
WHAT IF WE IDENTIFIED ALL THE VACANT

AND UNDERUTILIZED INDUSTRIAL
LANDS AND TRANSFORMED THEM INTO A
NEW OPEN SPACE AND RECREATIONAL
NETWORK?
Opportunities could include:
• Using the “remnants of Detroit’s industrial heritage” for recreational
purposes:
• rock climbing
• amphitheaters
• outdoor gymnasiums
• gardens
• Converting some select industrial corridors that are no longer viable into
green zones that can be remediated and links to existing parks
areas/neighborhoods that have high volumes of vacant land
5.2
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010
WHAT IF WE BROUGHT ALL OF THE

BURIED CREEKS TO THE SURFACE?
• Bloody Run Creek has been studied
• Conner Creek ‐ a park as late as the 30s
• Baby Creek and Fox Creek ‐ partially at surface
• Re‐establishes eco‐system services lost to development and decreases
dependence on grey infrastructure.
• Establishes eco‐corridors and connections between existing parks and open
spaces effectively creating a landscape network to improve the quality of
the city.
• Continues to build upon ‘green infrastructure’ initiatives along the River
Rouge.
• Creates a broader network of open space, ecosystem function and provides
more and better direct access to the Detroit river to city residents.
5.2
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE WITH VACANT

AND UNDERUSED LAND?
• Vacant land is currently viewed as an issue in Detroit, but from the Saxony
Anhalt IBA studies, we know that ‘holes’ in the urban fabric can be used to
change the perception and function of not only the city but the larger
region. In several of the cities studied in Saxony Anhalt, art interventions
and performances were incorporated to change the public’s perception
from lost place to new place.
• These vacant lands are currently yielding to emerging landscapes
throughout the city, creating huge potential for newer more sustainable
open space systems to create a new fabric for the city or hold lands in a
productive way for short to mid range periods of time.
5.2
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010
WHAT IF WE VIEWED DETROIT AS A

SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPE RATHER THAN
A CITY AND ALLOWED NEIGHBORHOOD
CENTERS TO ACT AS NEW
VILLAGES WITHIN THIS LANDSCAPE?
Opportunities could include:
• Restoring natural systems ‐including food, water & shelter for vital
organisms‐pollinators and low food chain animals
• Restoring biodiversity through planting and allowing successional processes
to occur
• Using nature to clean water and soil, finding uses for waste products if
necessary
• Landscape interventions can easily co‐exist with the urban fabric.
• Strategies for the use of the land should be constructed around giving equal
priority to the value of eco‐system services, economic development, and
stabilization of residential areas.
SOURCE : HAA and AECOM
5.2
AECOM
DECEMBER 17, 2010

Policy Audit Topic: Landscape, Ecology, Open Space

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DECEMBER 17, 2010

1. INTRODUCTION 3. METHODOLOGY 5. PRELIMINARY FINDINGS +

1.3 Guiding Principles

LANDSCAPE AND OPEN SPACE

LANDSCAPE AND OPEN SPACE

LANDSCAPE AND OPEN SPACE

LANDSCAPE AND OPEN SPACE SUPPORT AND COMPLEMENT EFFORTS TO ENHANCE

Access to multiple modes of transportation; Non‐motorized mobility options Urban forests and ecosystem services to

Access to utilities; condition of the public Green infrastructure systems and reduced Cleaner technologies; Green remediation

SPATIAL ANALYSIS COMBINES

CITY, COMMUNITY-BASED AND

SOURCE : A Greater Detroit American Heritage River Initiative and Metropolitan Affairs Coalition – Building the Riverfront Greenway AECOM

PUBLIC/ PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS ARE

SOURCE : Detroit Riverfront Conservancy – Dequindre Cut Greenway map and photo (AECOM) AECOM

THE DETROIT PARKS AND

DETROIT FACES THE CHALLENGE OF

DETROIT FACES THE CHALLENGE OF

THE CITY IS EXPLORING RE-

PARK PRIORITIZATION EMPHASIZES

3.3 Data Relationships and Findings The current framework for Detroit’s park system is heavily based upon

CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES REQUIRE A NEWER to park development and maintenance has been losing favor amongst parks

LOOK AT PARKS AND OPEN SPACE

3.3 Data Relationships and Findings

PUBLIC ATTITUDE SURVEY INTERACTIVE COMMUNITY FORUMS

3.3 Data Relationships and Findings

INTERACTIVE COMMUNITY FORUMS (continued)

3.3 Data Relationships and Findings

CITY OF LOS ANGELES | SUMMER NIGHT LIGHTS

3.3 Data Relationships and Findings

PROXIMIATE PRINCIPLE Increase Revenues: Proximate Principle

3.3 Data Relationships and Findings

PUBLIC ATTITUDE SURVEY • Community Park

3.3 Data Relationships and Findings

3.3 Data Relationships and Findings

3.3 Data Relationships and Findings

3.3 Data Relationships and Findings

3.3 Data Relationships and Findings

3.3 Data Relationships and Findings

3.3 Data Relationships and Findings

3.3 Data Relationships and Findings

LAFAYETTE PARK – COMMUNITY PARK EXAMPLE CAMPUS MARTIUS –PLAZA PARK EXAMPLE

3.3 Data Relationships and Findings

3.3 Data Relationships and Findings

EXISTING AND NEW PARK TYPOLOGIES

Community Park – provides for active and passive recreational needs of Rain Gardens – normally at the scale of a portion of a single lot, rain gardens Urban Forests – pockets of heavily forested lands especially those associated

Regional Park – provides for active and passive recreational needs of the Pocket Park – single to multiple lots to create green space on vacant lands. Can Pixilated Open Spaces – networking and linking smaller vacant sites within

Plaza Park – public spaces set aside for civic purposes and commercial Corner and Gateway parks – can be used to act as gateways or as entrances to

SOURCE : DRD Strategic Plan, ReImagining Cleveland, and AECOM AECOM

RESTORING THE HISTORIC,

HISTORIC MAPPING AND LAND

HISTORIC MAPPING AND LAND

HISTORIC MAPPING AND LAND

HISTORIC MAPPING AND LAND

HISTORIC MAPPING AND LAND

HISTORIC MAPPING AND LAND

AS VACANT LAND HAS INCREASED

X LANDSAT IMAGERY AND VACANCY

When combining these areas identified in 1992 with current

SOURCE : University of Michigan and AECOM

X OPEN SPACE REVERSION CONTINUES

Using the 30% vacancy percentage as a threshold, the map to the

NOTE: The analysis of land satellite (landsat) remote sensing data

EMERGING LANDSCAPES OF DETROIT