Resilient by Design

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Resilient by Design

Sanders, Evan

URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10429/2574

Date: 2024-05-08

Abstract:

This study looks into the complexities of urban development frameworks, particularly in the context of limited funding, with a focused lens on Detroit's North End. It seeks to offer innovative solutions by proposing alternative frameworks that not only rejuvenate local infrastructure but also integrate sustainability and resilience through small-scale interventions with the North End neighborhood in Detroit. Emphasizing the crucial aspect of resilience-building within neighborhoods, the research draws upon post-positivist perspectives, as well as literature on sustainable urban development and neighborhood planning, including works such as Designing Urban Transformations by Aseem Inam and Neighborhoods by Emily Talen. Grounded in understanding social construction and contextual factors around neighborhoods, the study investigates how Detroit can effectively support neighborhoods amidst social and economic changes, aiming to uncover strategies for long-term neighborhood resilience. Employing a comprehensive methodology involving historical analysis, mapping exercises, interviews, community planning game exercises, and scenario planning prototype models, the research yields novel insights into neighborhood adaptability, social inclusion, and long-term resilience, informing effective urban strategies for sustainable community development. Ultimately, this study not only offers practical insights into small-scale interventions to address immediate needs and foster resilience in Detroit's North End but also contributes to the broader discourse on inclusive and community-driven urban planning. Its findings hold relevance for cities grappling with similar challenges, advocating for context-sensitive and participatory approaches in nurturing resilient communities.

Description:

The overarching focus of this investigation is to address the challenges that arise after a city establishes a framework for urban development but lacks the necessary funding for implementation. In particular, the study delves into the context of Detroit, a city experiencing rapid growth alongside potential economic downturns that could hinder ongoing restoration efforts. It aims to propose alternative frameworks that rejuvenate existing infrastructure, leverage the city's unique history and culture, and integrate sustainable practices. Additionally, the research emphasizes the importance of resilience-building within neighborhoods through small-scale interventions, particularly in Detroit's North End. By adopting a grassroots approach and incorporating scenario planning techniques, the study offers an alternative perspective on urban development, similar to the transformative impact of form-based zoning in Detroit's traditional zoning practices. Through this lens, the research seeks to foster comprehensive urban revitalization strategies that promote economic, social, and environmental sustainability, with the ultimate goal of ensuring Detroit's resilience for both present and future generations. Urban acupuncture principles will be explored as part of this transformative strategy, aiming to create a framework applicable initially in the North End but eventually extending citywide. The perspective of this thesis will be guided by post-positivism primarily. By examining the social, economic, and environmental aspects of sustainable urban development in the Detroit neighborhood of North End. It allows for a more holistic view that goes beyond the simple cause-and-effect relationship. Intersubjective and contextual frameworks are secondary guides for the research. By understanding the importance of social construction, while understanding that the success of urban planning in Detroit relies on the shared vision and consensus of multiple agents. The research takes a contextual approach, acknowledging that Detroit's unique history, culture, and challenges shape how sustainable urban development must be approached. It recognizes that what works in one context may not work in another. What is known about the topic is studied through literature reviews, precedents, and case studies from cities that have achieved sustainable urban development from post-industrial cities. Books such as Designing Urban Transformations by Aseem Inam are very informative, where he discusses the need for urban transformation as cities grapple with issues like rapid urbanization, environmental sustainability, and social equity. He provides a comprehensive understanding of the contextual factors driving the need for change. The study looked at how cities can help neighborhoods adapt to changes like population shifts. It asked: How can cities support neighborhoods? How can urban strategies effectively support the adaptation of neighborhoods? And, how can designers make neighborhoods in the North end stronger for the long term? The goal was to find ways to make the North End neighborhood more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable through small-scale intervention led by residents. Many cities surrounding Detroit face a common issue a lack of essential amenities for residents. Even in areas where urban frameworks exist, immediate construction is often delayed. My work aims to revolutionize initial neighborhood planning, urging city officials to adopt a new perspective. By introducing small-scale interventions, we can address the pressing needs of underserved neighborhoods. This research confronts the crucial question of what happens when funding falls short, advocating for zoning reform to facilitate these interventions. By bringing in retail, services, and public spaces, we can enhance residents' quality of life and foster community stability. Ultimately, my goal is to inspire proactive strategies that empower neighborhoods to thrive despite financial constraints. The methodology employed a multifaceted approach, starting with a historical analysis of North End Detroit through secondary data. This was followed by various mapping exercises, including S.W.O.T. analysis, demographic mapping, and asset mapping. Interviews with urban designers and city professionals in Detroit provided further insights, supplemented by a secondary analysis of interviews with North End residents. Prototype models based on a developed neighborhood resilience model were then integrated into a systematic neighborhood plan. Additionally, observations of the neighborhood, utilizing secondary data analyses and news articles, were conducted to understand its S.W.O.T. dynamics. Photographic and historical analyses were also employed to identify factors contributing to a thriving North End. Through this comprehensive methodology, the research generated new understandings regarding neighborhood adaptability, social inclusion, and long-term resilience, informing the emerging position on effective urban strategies for sustainable community development. While small-scale interventions hold promise, they alone may not be sufficient to address the multifaceted challenges facing Detroit's neighborhoods. The study acknowledges limitations in fully capturing the diverse perspectives of residents within the constraints of time and resources. Additionally, the research confronts the inherent tension between innovative design proposals and the practical constraints imposed by existing zoning regulations. Moreover, while the study endeavors to draw insights from other cities' experiences, it recognizes the need for context-specific strategies that resonate with Detroit's unique context. The study aims to understand how neighborhoods develop sustainably over time but acknowledges the challenges in achieving adaptability. It also looks at urban planning issues in Detroit, trying to relate its approach to reality while recognizing the limitations of the zoning and policy restrictions in the city of Detroit. Understanding residents' feelings and neighborhood dynamics is important, but there are constraints due to time limits, which make it difficult to include all perspectives from the community members. Testing different design ideas shows the need to balance creativity with practicality, given zoning restrictions. Despite these challenges, the study aims to offer insights into building resilient and inclusive urban communities through small-scale interventions. Despite these challenges and critiques, the study offers valuable insights into the potential of small-scale interventions to address immediate needs and foster resilience within Detroit's North End. By advocating for a shift in urban planning paradigms towards more inclusive and community-driven approaches, the research contributes to ongoing conversations within the disciplines of architecture and design. Its emphasis on grassroots and adaptive urban strategies underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in shaping more equitable and sustainable cities. Overall, the study's findings hold relevance not only for Detroit but also for other cities grappling with similar urban challenges, highlighting the importance of context-sensitive and participatory approaches in fostering resilient communities.

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