Cities like Detroit are increasingly turning to green infrastructure improvements such as greenways to provide multifunctional benefits including connectivity, improved social and environmental health, and even community empowerment and healing. How does an infrastructure project accomplish environmental justice goals and how can we ensure that the local communities are receiving the benefits? Through our research project, we examine how the Joe Louis Greenway will impact Detroiters and what strategies can be used to promote equity.

To answer these questions, we took a multidisciplinary research approach. This included a literature review to understand the challenges and opportunities greenways offer communities and to identify key elements of equitable green development including what should be measured to ensure local benefits Evaluating local news provided a non-intrusive understanding of public perception of the greenway, which is an important indicator of its long term viability. We also conducted an analysis of the impact of design by examining existing and notable urban greenway projects from different cities and scales through the lens of landscape architecture, urban planning, and design.

Our findings are shared through a Detroit-specific scenario as a tangible example of how to apply the lessons learned for the future of the Joe Louis Greenway and surrounding communities. This scenario includes the suggestions on immediate, short-term elements such as design, paired with longer-term strategies, as well as ongoing initiatives including engagement, evaluation, and adaptive management.