Mapping Detroit: Land, Community, and Shaping a City

258 Pages·2015·47.039 MB·English

by  June Manning Thomas, Henco Bekkering, Monica Ponce de Leon, Brian Leigh Dunnigan, Yanjia Liu, Robert Fishman, Joe Grengs, Maria Arquero De Alarcon, Larissa Larsen, Margaret Dewar, Robert Linn, Lars Graebner, Toni L. Griffin

Mapping Detroit
great Lakes Books
a complete listing of the books in this series can be found online at wsupress.wayne.edu
eDitor
Charles k. Hyde, Wayne State University
aDvisory eDitors
Jeffrey abt, Wayne State University
Fredric C. Bohm, Michigan State University
sandra sageser Clark, Michigan Historical Center
Brian Leigh Dunnigan, Clements Library
De Witt Dykes, Oakland University
Joe grimm, Michigan State University
richard H. Harms, Calvin College
Laurie Harris, Pleasant Ridge, Michigan
Thomas klug, Marygrove College
susan Higman Larsen, Detroit Institute of Arts
philip p. Mason, Prescott, Arizona, and Eagle Harbor, Michigan
Dennis Moore, Consulate General of Canada
erik C. nordberg, Michigan Humanities Council
Deborah smith pollard, University of Michigan–Dearborn
Michael o. smith, Wayne State University
Joseph M. turrini, Wayne State University
arthur M. Woodford, Harsens Island, Michigan
M a p p i n g D e t r o i t
Land, Community, and Shaping a City
D
Edited by
June Manning Th omas and Henco Bekkering
Wayne State University Press
Detroit
© 2015 by Wayne state University press, Detroit, Michigan 48201.
all rights reserved. no part of this book may be reproduced without formal permission.
Manufactured in the United states of america.
isBn 978-0-8143-4026-4 (paperback)
isBn 978-0-8143-4027-1 (e-book)
Library of Congress Control number: 2014947712
C o n t e n t s
Foreword by Monica ponce de Leon vii
preface ix
1
introduction: Land and Change in Detroit
June Manning Thomas and Henco Bekkering
part i part ii part iii
evolving detroit: past to present portions of the city understanding contemporary
space and potential
77
1. Charting the shape of early Detroit: 4. Detroit: Linear City
17
1701–1838 Robert Fishman 8. Mapping the Urban Landscape: revealing
169
Brian Leigh Dunnigan the archipelago
5. Comparing people and places with
27 Lars Gräbner
2. Mapping Detroit: “The City of Holes” transportation accessibility in
101
Henco Bekkering and Yanjia Liu Metropolitan Detroit 9. redesigning Community with propinquity:
189
Joe Grengs Fragments of Detroit’s region
3. redevelopment in Detroit:
51 June Manning Thomas
spatial evolution 6. Mapping Delray: Understanding Changes
115 209
June Manning Thomas in a southwest Detroit Community epilogue: Detroit Future City
María Arquero de Alarcón and Larissa Larsen Toni L. Griffin and June Manning Thomas
143
7. remaking Brightmoor
Margaret Dewar and Robert Linn
233
Contributors
 237
index
v

F o r e W o r D
am very pleased to write the foreword to this book, which offers an array the world. as an industrial and cultural pioneer, Detroit played a pivotal
io f critical insights into the spatial evolution and present conditions role in transforming the infrastructure and social fabric of cities worldwide.
of the city of Detroit. The perspectives range from simple historical The cars, trucks, and other vehicles assembled there have helped to speed
accounts to analyses of key topics and subareas to innovative presentations up the processes of urbanization, and the urban form of cities worldwide
envisioning possible alternative futures. several of the authors have been reflects the influence of motor vehicles and the economic opportunities
associated with the University of Michigan’s taubman College of architec- they have brought. Detroit’s role in shaping urban areas worldwide can-
ture and Urban planning, as current or previous faculty members or, in two not be overstated. However, the city itself has proven to be a precursor for
cases, as former students. We in the college highly value our long-standing the consequences of many challenges, such as those resulting from overde-
relationships with Detroit and our history of efforts to help envision a bet- pendence on the manufacture of vehicles and other durable goods. Detroit
ter city and region. This book’s collection of unique, beautifully illustrated has experienced negative environmental effects, fluctuating business cycles,
insights into the spatial dynamics of that important city is just one facet of manufacturing decline, the spatial decentralization of the metropolis, and
these efforts. Detroit belongs to a unique cadre of american cities in which diminishing population and tax bases in the central city. yet it also offers
determination and ingenuity led to a distinctive identity known throughout many opportunities for innovation and adaptation.
vii
This book presents compelling illustrations of the history and evolving history, architecture, archival maps, landscape architecture, land use plan-
land use patterns of Detroit, as well as clear explanations of pivotal issues ning, redevelopment policy, transportation, and urban design. Thus the
and potentialities. The issues covered include land vacancy, redevelopment, orientation of this book is definitely toward land use and spatial dynamics.
industries’ location policies, neighborhood development in two key areas, However, sociopolitical insights are provided as well, with chapter topics
and lack of transportation access for all citizens. The potentialities include such as changing redevelopment policy, social inequity in transportation
opportunities to recognize and support informal land development strate- access, and residents’ responses to vacant land or industrial intrusions in
gies in abandoned neighborhoods, enhance regional cooperation and con- their neighborhoods.
nection, reuse vacant land, unearth ancient waterways, and create a better i think you will find this to be an exciting volume, filled with knowl-
future city of Detroit. These are tangible, attainable visions that in some cases edge and stimulating to the senses and the imagination. each chapter
have gained widespread attention and in other cases have not. The circum- offers its own insights into some fascinating aspect of Detroit. The inter-
stances of Detroit make it ripe for such innovative ideas and proposals. disciplinary collection of authors captures the incredible challenges and
all the authors of this volume present descriptive and historical maps opportunities of Detroit, a city that has exemplified unprecedented trans-
and images but then build upon these by offering analytic observations formation over the past three centuries.
about people, places, and institutions. The areas of author expertise include
Monica Ponce de Leon
viii ForeWorD