Team Number 1

(Also Distinguished Award)

Sustainability Topics Addressed: Infrastructure, Water Quality, Community Building

Prof. Larsen has completed the first phase of a project that maps the impediments to implementing green infrastructure in the City of Detroit, but has not been able to find the time nor resources to put that plan into action. Our intent is to collaborate with Oday Salim (Great Lakes Environmental Law Center ), Prof. Larsen, and CAPHE to create a neighborhood-based action agenda for overcoming impediments to implementing green infrastructure in the city of Detroit.

PROJECT SUMMARY

According to American Forests, Detroit land cover in 2006 was composed of 31% tree canopy cover compared to 47% of impervious surface. By 2009, tree canopy cover decreased by 0.7%. The loss of trees in major cities is similar across the nation.1 The loss of services provided by trees, significantly impact stormwater, urban heat island effect, and air quality.2 While Detroit residents face threats of air pollution from multiple sources such as freeways, international bridges, incinerators, and other industrial sites, trees offer a mitigation strategy.1 Studies have provide conservative estimates of human health values of urban trees, valued at $4.6 billion dollars in 2010 across US cities.1 However, despite efforts to begin planting trees in Detroit, outdated state and local ordinances often inhibit trees planting and other vegetative buffers.

PROJECT SCOPE: Our project will create a package of legal and local tools necessary to recover the crucial benefit trees provide urban residents of Detroit. These tools will provide City Council with a clear vision and quantification for how Detroit neighborhoods will benefit under the proposal, while providing community based organizations the critical platform to connect with one another and build consensus moving forward in creating a more livable Detroit. The project will take a three-pronged approach to produce:

1. Three ordinance proposals for Detroit City Council to adopt that promote progressive action for tree canopy conservation and recovery in Detroit.
2. Two Detroit neighborhood case studies including: detailed tree planting plans, cost-benefit analyses, health benefits (monetized), visual renderings of canopy recovery.
3. An interactive online directory of Detroit community based organizations actively engaged in urban canopy recovery related activities