Distance from Neighborhood Green Infrastructure (GI) in Detroit and Impact on Perception of Safety

Abstract

In Detroit, green infrastructure (GI) projects are seen as an opportunity to increase both the livability and sustainability of the city. From a livability perspective, GI could help alleviate flooding. Over the last few years there was an increasing intensity of storms in Detroit due to climate change (Li & Davis, 2009). In addition to stormwater management, GI is a component of broader revitalization efforts in the city to improve the environment, quality of life, enhance safety and beautification of the city. Current study draws on data gathered as part of a larger transdisciplinary investigation of GI in Detroit (Nassauer et al. 2015). This investigation considers the effects of distance from project pilot GI sites on the perception of safety. To understand the effectiveness of the GI projects, Professor Nassauer et al surveyed nearby residents about their perceptions of four pilot bioretention flower gardens and their potential effects on the surrounding neighborhood. The survey included visualizations of six vacant lots within two clusters approximately 1.5 miles apart in Detroit’s Warrendale neighborhood. The current study investigates how safe the pilots of design look after installation of the four bioretention flower gardens, and also, how these pilots of design will affect the perception of safety in the whole neighborhood. Results of the study showed that residents found bioretention flower garden design appeared safer than mowed lots and control sites which were an image of a typical vacant lot in Detroit. Furthermore, compared to the control sites, results of the survey showed that, residents believed that the perception of safety would improve after installation of the bioretention flower gardens in the neighborhood. However I did not find a difference in perception of safety between 100 meters and 100 to 200 meters radii from each garden . I considered other factors such as social support in the neighborhood, observation of crime and demographic variables, that may have affect the perception of safety in a neighborhood as well.