Reclaiming The City

Abstract

For over half a century, urban freeways have drastically transformed the urban landscape of cities across the world, especially in North America. With increased automobile dependence and the dawn of the 1956 Federal-Aid Highway Act, freeways began appearing in cities across the United States allowing for fast and efficient auto routes for commuters. While the widespread implementation of freeways in cities has allowed ease of transportation for drivers, it often came at the cost of dividing and demolishing communities. In recent years, urban freeways, many of which are aging and need to be replaced have been facing increasing criticism for the damage they have caused to diverse, integrated communities, especially African American communities. This thesis investigation intends to propose the removal of I-375 through a community-informed, participatory lens that is centered around providing reparations to African American Detroiters. Some research questions which will be explored in the thesis investigation are: Given the historical implications of urban freeways, how can this widespread destruction be remedied? How can reparations/justice be explored through placemaking, urban planning, and design? How can improvements to urban freeways be considered in a more ethical manner?

Through the analysis of MDOT’s I-375 Reconnecting Communities project, an improved design intervention at the urban scale can be informed. This may be achieved through a mixed qualitative/quantitative methodology that includes attending community engagement events, interviews, and various site analysis strategies. While the general community response towards MDOT’s project has been overwhelmingly negative, with a significant number of residents calling for a redesign, the limitations and shortcomings of the project additionally will inform the design proposal of the thesis investigation. In conclusion, an improved proposal for the removal of I-375 can be implemented based on community needs and reparations, identified through the shortcomings and community response to the MDOT I-375 Reconnecting Communities Project.