Neighborhood transformation design: A case study of Islandview Village, Detroit.

Abstract

Over the past several decades a 'movement' to rebuild the most distressed residential portions of cities has emerged. It has been called community development, neighborhood revitalization, and more recently, community rebuilding. This movement is characterized by comprehensive initiatives that seek to integrate social, economic, political and physical systems in a balanced and coordinated manner in targeted geographical areas, led by locally-based organizations and individuals. In many cases, these initiatives and projects are led by churches, often the last remaining stable institution in inner city neighborhoods. This research focused on this phenomenon by studying an existing urban neighborhood in Detroit, now called Islandview Village. This community began a neighborhood reconstruction effort over twenty years ago, led by Church of the Messiah, an Episcopal parish. The research also examined initiatives and projects in other neighborhood areas and cities with similar conditions in order to compare experiences and lessons. A unique vantage point as a participant-observer was established as a result of architectural and planning work in this neighborhood over the past six years, and over twenty years of experience working in the field of urban revitalization, primarily in the City of Detroit. In addition to the case study and participant-observer approaches, the 'action research' methodology introduced by the social psychologist Kurt Lewin in 1946 was utilized. In this method, research is situated in a real setting with pragmatic needs and a valuable service is provided while achieving scientific goals. The research led to the formulation of a neighborhood transformation design model that synthesizes a series of components: process, stabilization, children, youth and families, sustenance, shelter and security, culture and spirit, and building. The study concludes with a discussion of a theory which might guide the development of comprehensive community rebuilding strategies. The key principles of this theory are: focusing on targets, understanding of the human and physical environments, creation of linkages between human and physical realms, and achieving balance in the application of initiatives and projects. The actualization of such a model and the principles proposed is based on a recognition of clearer performance links between theory, reality and practice.