Green Space in Detroit, Michigan

Tuesday, December 6th, 2016

Empirical Research Report

Green Space in Detroit, Michigan

Tuesday, December 6th, 2016

Empirical Research Report

Researcher: Rebecca Scott

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Green space is defined as land that is partly or completely covered with grass, trees,
shrubs, or other vegetation. Green space also includes parks, community gardens, and
cemeteries. In one particular study conducted in the Netherlands, it was found that green
space actually improved the health of residents.

A survey was conducted to measure the initial perception and utilization of green space in
Detroit, in which participation consisted of current students at Wayne State University.
Results were skewed due to lack of knowledge of what green space is; however,
responses of further green space projects were consistent with final recommendations.

The conclusion made is that green space expansion projects should be continued
throughout the city. Once the current green space projects have been completed, a study
should be conducted to see if the health of the community improves, which could be done
by comparing residents past and current levels of physical activity, weight, BMI (body
mass index), and rates of chronic diseases in the city.

Recommendations include creating more urban gardens, as well as revitalizing current

parks and creating more throughout the city. Greening of Detroit has worked to create
1,500 to 2,000 new urban gardens since 2013 and the city of Detroit has begun a project
to renovate 40 parks between 2016 and 2017.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. Objectives of Research
3. Methods
Survey on Perception and Utilization of Green Space in Detroit
4. Results

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Discussion
Conclusion
Recommendations
Works Cited
References
Figure One and Two: Detroits First Green Alley
Figure Three: Map of Grocery Stores in Detroit
Figure Four: Map of Park Renovations in Detroit

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INTRODUCTION
Some may think of trees, brush, landscape, parks, or untouched pieces of land as
green space. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, green space is land that
is partly or completely covered with grass, trees, shrubs, or other vegetation.
Furthermore, green space also includes parks, community gardens, and cemeteries (EPA,
2016). It is important to note the difference between open space and green space. While
green space can be categorized as open space, schoolyards, playgrounds, public seating
areas, public plaza, and vacant lots can also be categorized as open space (EPA, 2016).
These areas will not be considered in the research.
There have been many studies conducted to showcase the positive correlation
between amount of green space and overall health. One such Dutch study was conducted
in 1987-88 by the Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, which was one of
the earliest studies that looked for a correlation between green space and improved
health. The environmental characteristics focused on were (1) percentage of green space,
(2) percentage of blue space (fresh and salt-water surface), and (3) presence of a garden.
A level of urbanity was also created, with [1] being very strongly urban and [5] being
unurban (Vries, 2003). The study found that people living in a green area appeared to be
significantly healthier than those living in areas with less green. Even the presence of a
garden seemed to improve health (Vries, 2003).
What does this mean for our own cities? The city of Detroit has long relied upon
industry as its main source of income. The automotive industry is deeply rooted in the
city, but what does that mean for the health of its citizens? The zip code of 48217 in
southwest Detroit contains the Marathon oil refinery, which is considered to be the

dirtiest zip code in Michigan and the third dirtiest in the country (Stephanz, 2014).
Detroit has also been said to be a food desert due to inability to access wholesome food
options in some areas of the city (Hill, 2016). While there are many solutions to combat
the adverse health in the city of Detroit, the proposed community health interventions
will focus on the continued addition and utilization of green space options throughout the
city.
OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH
The goal of the study was to assess the amount of green space throughout the city
of Detroit, Michigan and to recommend that more green space be developed throughout
the city. A survey was conducted to measure the initial perception and utilization of green
space in Detroit. Content is presented in the methods and the data is analyzed in the
results. Recent and present expansion projects in the city are later presented in the
discussion. The survey and the expansion projects presented contribute to the initial
assessment of green space and the recommendation of creation of more green space is
presented in the recommendations.
METHODS
The primary method of research consisted of a survey that focused on the
perception and utilization of green space in Detroit. Participation came from many
sources; however, most of the participation came from current students at Wayne State
University, a research university located in Midtown Detroit. The survey was made
available to participants via social media platforms including Facebook and Twitter as
well as academic emails sent to students via Blackboard. A total of 59 responses were
collected from the survey. The content of the survey is shown below.

Survey Title: Green Space in Detroit, Michigan

Question 1: What do you think of when you hear the words green space?
Question 2: Do you utilize green space in the city of Detroit?
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Yes
No
Not Sure

Question 3: Please select the following locations in which you have visited in Detroit.
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Belle Isle
Dequindre Cut
Campus Martius
Hart Plaza
Eastern Market
Riverwalk
Chene Park
Other (please specify)

Question 4: What other green space options would you like to see created in Detroit?
RESULTS
Survey Results:
Question 1: What do you think of when you hear the words green space?
The most popular answers included trees, grass, gardens, parks, and
environmentally friendly areas.
Question 2: Do you utilize green space in the city of Detroit?
The responses were almost even with 33.90% responding Yes, 37.29%
responding No, and 28.81% responding Not Sure. This could result from lack of
knowledge of green space since a definition was never provided before participants took
the survey.
Question 3: Please select the following locations in which you have visited in Detroit.
1) Campus Martius 81.36%

2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)

Belle Isle 77.97%

Riverwalk 74.58%
Eastern Market 69.49%
Hart Plaza 55.93%
Dequindre Cut 25.42%
Other 10.17%
Chene Park 6.78%

Although 37.29% responded No and 28.81% responded Not Sure when asked
if they utilized green space in Detroit, there was a large majority that responded that they
have visited Campus Martius, Belle Isle, the Riverwalk, and Eastern Market. This, again,
showcases the lack of knowledge about what green space includes. If a definition had
been provided, the results for question two and three may have been more aligned, with
near 80% responding Yes to utilization of green space instead of the original 33.90%.
Question 4: What other green space options would you like to see created in Detroit?
The most popular answers included more urban gardens, more parks, and more
playgrounds for children, beautifying the sidewalks, more farmers markets such as
Eastern Market, utilizing rooftop spaces and creating green space there, and not sure.
The survey focused on perceptions of green space; however, in the future, there
should be a follow-up portion once the definition is given and participants are more fully
informed of the topic. Also, the question of Do you believe Detroit needs more green
space? should have been added. The survey presumes that green space is good and
therefore more should be created. It would be alarming if respondents disagreed and
believed that green space was not necessary in the Detroit. Although the survey could
have been improved, it achieved its overall goal of obtaining initial perceptions of green
space.
DISCUSSION

There have been many efforts, especially in the past decade, to improve the city of
Detroit. Although there are 307 parks and areas designated as green space in the city,
there is always room for more (Crains Detroit Business, 2015). One such opportunity is
increasing the amount of green space and updating the current green space options. One
of the greatest contributors to the city of Detroit is the Ilitch organization. Although most
of their efforts are aimed at infrastructure, they will also be creating various green spaces,
which will be developed concurrently with the district neighborhoods and the new Little
Cesears Arena (PR Newswire, 2014).
One of the more unique green space options that has been developed is the first
green alley, an eco-friendly area behind two Midtown Detroit businesses (Aguilar,
2010). In June of 2010, the University of Cultural Center Association and DTE Energy
partnered up to upgrade an old alley and bring it to modern standards. The projects cost
was more than $110,000 with a sewer upgrade taking up approximately $45,000 of that.
UCCA was able to raise $52,500 and the two businesses invested $10,000 each. DTE
Energy provided the energy-saving lights, which was another first for the city (Aguilar,
2010). A photo of the completed alley is provided on the reference page. The hope of the
alleys creators is that it will become a model for all alleys in need of an upgrade.
Even the residents of the city are making their own green space. The El Moore
apartments, located on Second Avenue and Alexandrine in Midtown Detroit, are looking
for a greener option. The new outbuilding of the complex was created from recycled
material. The building is multipurpose and can be used for gardening, to meetings, and
anything in between. More so, each resident recieves their own plot of land so that they
may garden (Gallagher, 2015).

Many of the current green space options are being renovated as well. The Detroit
Riverwalk will gain another two miles in length and will be five and a half miles upon
completion. The Dequindre Cut, right off the Riverwalk, has recently received an
upgrade; even Eastern Market has expanded its public space (Crains Detroit Business,
2015).
CONCLUSION
Both the survey and the projects presented in the discussion showcase that current
green space is being utilized and upgraded, and that there is also a desire for more green
space to be created. While there is still work to be done, efforts for the development of
green space are being furthered in the city of Detroit. Through the combined efforts of the
local government, local partnerships, nonprofits, and the residents of the city, green space
will flourish and we can only hope that the overall health of the city will continue to
improve. Once all of these developments have been made, a follow-up study should be
conducted in Detroit to confirm the theory that green space makes for a healthier
community; increased levels of physical activity with decreased weight, BMI (body mass
index), and rates of chronic diseases in the city may give insight if the community is
healthier.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The recommendation to be made is that more green space be created in the city of
Detroit. When asked, What other green space options would you like to see created in
Detroit? the most popular answers were more urban gardens, more parks, and more
playgrounds for children, beautifying the sidewalks, more Eastern Markets, utilizing

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rooftop spaces and creating green space there. These are some of the more feasible ways
to create green space in the city.
The first recommended green space addition includes urban gardens. Many parts
of the city are said to be a food desert due to the lack of access to healthy foods (Hill,
2016). An image of location of grocery stores throughout the city can be found on the
reference page. Some areas have a few grocery stores, however, the closest grocery store
in some areas is miles away. Creating urban gardens may not improve nutrition but it has
a major impact on the community (Hill, 2016). The nonprofit Greening of Detroit has
contributed greatly to this issue and has created and obtained between 1,500 and 2,000
within the citys limits in 2013 (Resnikoff, 2014).
The second recommended addition is new parks and improving those that already
exist. In the downtown area, there are many parks that have been created and updated,
including Campus Martius, Grand Circus Park, Capitol Park, and Paradise Valley, also
known as Beatrice Buck Park (Downtown Detroit Partnership, 2014). What about the
parks located in the neighborhoods of the city? Mayor Duggan announced in April of
2016 that $11.7 million had been invested to improve over 40 parks throughout the city
starting in 2016 and continuing into 2017 (City of Detroit, 2016). A map of the park
renovations and their status can be found on the reference page.

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Works Cited
Advance to park place; From riverside paths to picnic spots, Detroit quickens the pace for
space. Crain's Detroit Business. Retrieved November 16, 2016, from
http://go.galegroup.com.proxy.lib.wayne.edu/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=lom_waynesu&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE
%7CA435032780&sid=summon&asid=1e4d92abac0ab4663dd6ccb41db8872f
Aguilar, Louis. "Eyesore Goes Green." Detroit NewsJun 04 2010. ProQuest. Web. 19
Nov. 2016
Downtown Detroit Parks - Outstanding public spaces in the heart of Downtown. (2014).
Retrieved December 06, 2016, from http://downtowndetroit.org/exploredowntown/downtown-parks/
GreenAlley.(2012,July10).RetrievedDecember6,2016,from
http://www.bing.com/cr?
IG=DF86C39AB6244B19A215DEB898B73D08&CID=05C73FA76CAA6F7536
E436446D9B6E54&rd=1&h=YrU1Y9N0wP3LIIrItBEb0Jq6NKq8l9a
DL4MgRjdug&v=1&r=http://www.greengaragedetroit.com/index.php/File:Nails.j
pg&p=DevEx,5050.1
Hill, A. (2016, April 29). Detroit Food Map. Retrieved December 06, 2016, from
http://detroitfoodmap.com/
"Ilitch Organization Shares Bold Vision for Building World-Class, Mixed-use Sports and
Entertainment District in Detroit." PR Newswire Jul 20 2014. ProQuest. Web.
Retrieved November 19, 2016.

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Mayor Duggan announces plan to invest $11.7 million to renovate 40 neighborhood

parks. (2016, March 17). Retrieved December 06, 2016, from
http://www.detroitmi.gov/News/ArticleID/716/Mayor-Duggan-announces-planto-invest-11-7-million-to-renovate-40-neighborhood-parks
Resnikoff, N. (2014, July 25). Detroit has a secret weapon... Retrieved December 06,
2016, from http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/detroit-gardening-weapon-againstfood-insecurity
Stephanz, H. (2014, August 11). The Need to Fight for Michigan's Dirtiest Zip Code.
Retrieved December 05, 2016, from http://earthjustice.org/blog/2014-august/theneed-to-fight-for-michigan-s-dirtiest-zip-code
What is Open Space/Green Space? | Urban Environmental Program in New England.
(2016, February 23). Retrieved November 27, 2016, from
https://www3.epa.gov/region1/eco/uep/openspace.html
Vries, S. D., Verheij, R. A., Groenewegen, P. P., & Spreeuwenberg, P. (2003). Natural
EnvironmentsHealthy Environments? An Exploratory Analysis of the
Relationship between Greenspace and Health. Environment and Planning A.
Retrieved December 05, 2016.

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References
Figure One and Two: Detroits First Green Alley. Before and after photos from July 10,
2012 provided by Green Garage.

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Figure Three: Map of grocery stores throughout the city of Detroit. Provided by Detroit
Food Map.

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Figure Four: Map of park renovations made between 2016 and 2017 throughout the city
of Detroit. Provided by the city of Detroits Department of Parks and Recreation.

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