Greening the Common Ground: Mapping Equitable Access to Joe Louis Greenway

Abstract

Public investment in green space should be nondiscriminatory. Studies have examined that green space is unevenly distributed in American cities. In this project, we analyze neighborhoods surrounding the proposed Joe Louis Greenway, one of the largest public projects in Detroit, Michigan. We collect environmental, demographic, and socioeconomic data that intersect the greenway project to find neighborhoods confronting severe environmental injustice issues and urgently need access to green space. On a finer scale, we develop a landscape plan in Highland Park as an extension of the proposed greenway to emphasize accessibility for people of all abilities and multifunctionality. Drawing on previous literature, the city’s framework plan, and feedback from public meetings, we provide measurable metrics to assess and monitor the outcomes of greenway constructions. Finally, we discuss how to achieve equitable development by actively engaging the community in a long-haul process using novel tools such as mobile apps. Achieving a more sustainable city includes distributing opportunities and risks equitably and our project aims to provide environmental, fiscal and economic, and social benefits to people of all races, economics, and social status