REINVENTING DETROIT
DETROIT, MI — SENIOR CAPSTONE PROJECT: CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY
For my senior capstone project, I designed a site within an abandoned lot in Detroit with the goal of fostering economic and environmental stability for local residents. I selected a neighborhood with a predominantly Black and low-income population and intentionally designed the project to address the community’s needs—taking careful measures to prevent gentrification and foster a sense of belonging.
My objective with this project was to help stabilize vacancy and establish a micro-business district through landscape architecture to serve as a catalyst for economic recovery. This project explores how neighborhood-scale interventions can drive larger-scale stabilization by introducing a small-scale landscape architecture project in a city with an abundance of vacant lots, abandoned houses, and neglected land.
Main plaza rendering showing the local micro-businesses and community art elements that are intertwined throughout the site—creating a strong sense of place and promoting community involvement. Rendering produced by Nicole Romrell using Rhino, Lumion and Photoshop.
SITE MASTER PLAN
Site Context
NOTE: Plan above is not to scale. All images produced by Nicole Romrell in Photoshop.
Master Plan Legend:
11. Local restaurants
12. Stage for live music
13. Outdoor garden
seating area
14. Micro-business
marketplace
15. Planter benches
16. Community art boxes
17. Existing church
18. Community center
19. Church parking
20. Playground
21. Community garden
1. Main parking
2. Grocery store
3. Laundromat
4. Drugstore
5. Post office
6. Planters with benches
7. Community painted
central path
8. Benches
9. Rain garden retention
ponds
10. Open lawn
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
The chosen neighborhood for this project is highly susceptible to gentrification. To combat this, this park is tailored to the community. Amenity stores, local micro-businesses and local restaurants are present to provide for the needs of the residents and for local
Local micro-businesses perspective. Rendering produced by Nicole Romrell using Photoshop.
employment opportunities. The micro-business market shown in the rendering below aims to counteract the local poverty by housing 10 local businesses. By providing job opportunities, this park will foster inclusive economic recovery.
WATERSHED AND FEMA CONSIDERATIONS
The site is located within the 100-year flood plain Zone AE, meaning this region is classified as a high-risk flood zone or a “Special Flood Hazard Area.” According to the watershed map, the majority of water flow is coming from the northwest.
Due to these environmental concerns, I regraded this site to include rain garden retention ponds in order to collect the excess storm water. All diagrams below were produced by Nicole Romrell in Photoshop, Rhino and InDesign.
PROPOSED GRADING PLAN
WATERSHED MAP
FEMA ZONES MAP
RAIN GARDEN RETENTION PONDS SECTION
EXISTING GRADING PLAN
MONTHLY CLIMATE
Seasonal climate overview for Detroit. Rendering produced by Nicole Romrell using Rhino, Lumion, InDesign and Photoshop.