(Dow Fellows Program 2016)

Currently, in Detroit, there are many precedents of urban farms under the care of various non-profit organizations, all community-based and community governed. From the time that the idea of urban farming was conceived to the present when these concepts have become practice, there have been many varying innovative typologies of how urban farming has been implemented at various scales; however, not many have attempted at shrinking this large scale and permanent method of farming to that of horticulture which exists in a more temporary and smaller scale, appropriate to be installed within the land area of any private lawn in Detroit, thus serving smaller portions of population at the community or even the family-oriented level. Using the Condon House as a foundation, assessments can be made that make it a prototype of backyard horticulture, which can be replicated in other properties within Detroit as well as regions with similar environmental characteristics. This study assessed weather conditions from the aspects of seasonal light availability specific to Detroit. The goal of this analysis was to assess the conditions of shaded and unshaded parts of the plot of land, a condition that farmers pay close attention to. The main contributor to shade is the house’s own shadow. Data were compared between three seasons under the percentages of shaded/exposed regions. This helped suggest species of vegetation that could be used, as well as determining dthe most appropriate location of engagement for individual species.

Project Report

Factsheet