Core City Park(ing)

1. General information

Location and description of the intervention

City or FUA

Detroit (FUA)

Region

Northern America

Short description of the intervention

The PARK(ing) project, completed in April 2022, is an urban private intervention in Core City neighborhood in Detroit, that re-imagines a vacant 24,000-square-foot lot into a dual-purpose public park and a 28-car parking lot. Designed by Julie Bargmann of D.I.R.T. Studio, in collaboration with Prince Concepts and in-house landscape designer Andrew Schwartz, this innovative green space harmonizes urban infrastructure with natural elements. The site is punctuated with 78 newly planted trees, including sumac, maple, and evergreen species, creating an environment rich in vegetation that seamlessly integrates with its urban surroundings.
The design incorporates permeable pavers and sloped berms, which effectively manage storm-water by absorbing and channeling rainwater, mitigating the risk of flooding—an often-overlooked challenge in traditional parking lots. This approach reflects sensitivity to the local environment and a commitment to sustainable urban design.
By day, the park discreetly functions as a parking facility, with cars nestled among dense greenery, while by evening, it transforms into a public garden, extending the communal space of Core City Park. This dual functionality addresses the needs of a car-dependent community while promoting walkability and enhancing the neighborhood's ecological footprint.
PARK(ing) exemplifies a shift in Detroit's urban planning, moving away from the car-centric developments of the past toward a more balanced relationship between people, nature, and infrastructure. The project stands as a testament to the evolving identity of American cities, particularly those like Detroit, historically shaped by the automobile. It offers a vision of urban spaces that prioritize community well-being and environmental stewardship while acknowledging the realities of modern urban life. (Ref. 1, 2)

Website of the intervention

https://www.princeconcepts.com/parking

Principal problems

Climate-Related Hazards

Urban flooding (stormwater)

Environmental Degradation

Soil degradation and loss

Land use and Socio-economic change

Unequal availability and access to public green spaces

Implementation area characterization

Climate

Continental (Cold-summer humid continental, Cold-winter dry continental, Cold-summer dry continental)

Ecosystem

Urban or built environment

Address

4831 Grand River Ave
Detroit, 48208
United States

Location

The NBS is situated in an area, with clear delineation of boundaries and a specific shape (polygon). The NBS project can also have more than one area location (more than one polygon, situated close by).

Area boundary (map-based)

NBS area image

Source of NBS area image

Source: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Core+City+Park/@42.3486435,-83.0884135,84m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x8824cd7545733d53:0xa5447bed2222a62a!8m2!3d42.3485116!4d-83.0883127!16s%2Fg%2F11h71fqs5g?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTAyMS4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Total area

2230.00m²

NBS area

2230.00m²

Area description

Urban (main city)

Type of area before implementation of the NBS

Vacant or abandoned land

Timeline of intervention

Start date of the intervention (planning process)

2022

Start date of intervention (implementation process)

2022

End date of the intervention

2022

Present stage of the intervention

Completed

2. Objectives of the intervention

Objectives of the intervention

Goals of the intervention

Convert an unused 24,000-square-foot lot into a functional and aesthetically pleasing public space.
Create a space that serves as both a public park and a 28-car parking lot, addressing the neighborhood's need for parking while enhancing green space.
Harmonize the parking lot with nature by incorporating trees and greenery, making the space a natural extension of the urban environment, treating the soil and introducing local vegetation
Use permeable pavers and sloped berms to effectively manage stormwater, reducing flood risk and promoting environmental sustainability.
Provide a park that transforms into a public garden in the evenings, encouraging community interaction and enhancing neighborhood walk-ability, exercise (cycling), recreational opportunities and access to green areas for low-income communities
Design a space sensitive to Detroit’s car-centric culture while fostering a more balanced relationship between people, nature, and infrastructure. (Ref. 1, 2, 3, 4)

Key Priorities

Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation)

Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration)

Social Justice and community

Sustainability challenge(s) addressed

Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)

Climate change adaptation

Environmental quality

Soil quality improvement

Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)

Green space creation and/or management

Habitat and biodiversity restoration

Regeneration, land-use and urban development

Promote natural styles of landscape design for urban development

Water management (SDG 6)

Flood protection

Stormwater and rainfall management and storage

Health and well-being (SDG 3)

Creation of opportunities for recreation

Enabling opportunities for physical activity

Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)

Social justice and equity

Social interaction

Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?

Implement sustainable urban drainage schemes to manage stormwater

What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?

Species-focused

What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets?

Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems

Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)

Implementation activities and NBS focus

Implementation activities

The project involved transforming a vacant 24,000-square-foot lot into a dual-purpose public park and parking lot. To enhance the site’s greenery and ecological diversity, 78 trees were planted, including Blue Point juniper, Autumn Blaze maple, American sweetgum, and native staghorn sumac, all atop a base of white clover. Tall green berms were designed and constructed to manage stormwater, address soil conditions affected by buried refuse from previously demolished buildings, and conceal parked cars from public view. Permeable pavers were incorporated into the parking areas to facilitate water absorption, reduce runoff, and mitigate flood risks. Granite ground covers were applied to complement the natural aesthetic while providing durability within the parking lot. Additionally, a corner bike rack was installed to accommodate and encourage cycling within the community. (Ref. 1, 2)

Type of NBS project

Creation of new green areas

Creation of any other green urban spaces

Ecological restoration of ecosystems

Soil remediation and revegetation

Remediation activities of sites with very poor environmental quality

Transformation of previously derelict areas

Transformation of vacant land into green spaces

3. NBS domains, ES and scale

NBS domain and interventions

Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented

Grey infrastructure featuring greens

Green parking lots

Parks and urban forests

Pocket parks/neighbourhood green spaces

Amenities offered by the NBS

Benches and drinking water stations

Other

Please specify other amenities offered by the NBS

Bike rack (Ref.2)

Design elements for well-being

Visual elements (e.g., expansive views, scenic views, natural light, diverse vegetation)

Services

Expected ecosystem services delivered

Regulating services

Flood regulation

Habitat and supporting services

Habitats for species

Cultural services

Aesthetic appreciation

Recreation

Mental and physical health and wellbeing

Social and community interactions

Scale

Spatial scale

Sub-microscale: Street scale (including buildings)

Beneficiaries

Demographics in implementation area

"Core City is a neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan with a population of 2,329" (Ref.3). "Core City median real estate price is $304,603, which is more expensive than 64.7% of the neighborhoods in Michigan and 41.3% of the neighborhoods in the U.S. Core City is a suburban neighborhood (based on population density) located in Detroit, Michigan. The Core City neighborhood stands out for having an average per capita income lower than 99.4% of the neighborhoods in the United States. The Core City neighborhood also has a greater percentage of children living in poverty (60.7%) than found in 97.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods." (Ref.4)

Socio-economic profile of the area

Low-income

Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts

Non-government actors

Private sector/Corporate/Business

Primary Beneficiaries

Citizens or community groups

Marginalized groups

Specify primary beneficiaries

The community, predominantly made up of low-income households, benefits from a new greenspace that enhances the neighborhood's aesthetic and provides a place for recreation, relaxation, and social interaction. The project also provides free parking space for 28 cars, offering convenient parking for those living in or visiting Core City, while ensuring cars are discreetly integrated into the landscape. (Ref.1,2)

Marginalized groups

Socio-economically disadvantaged populations (e.g. low-income households, unemployed)

Measures for inclusion of marginalised groups

The free park/parking lot is mainly for the local residents, who are predominantly from low-income households and have limited access to green spaces, which the project aims to help with, also providing a green space for the community to meet and interact. (Ref.2,4)

Specify measures taken for vulnerable or marginalized communities

Unknown

Other beneficiaries

Local wildlife (e.g., birds, pollinators)

Native plant vegetation

Ecosystem services (e.g. improved air quality, water purification)

City infrastructure (e.g., reduced flooding, improved water quality)

4. Governance and financing

Governance

Governance arrangements

Led by non-government actors

Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative

Prince Concepts, a local Detroit developer, played a central role in envisioning and financing the project, ensuring it aligned with the community's needs and the broader vision for Core City. The project's innovative design was led by D.I.R.T. Studio, a Charlottesville-based firm headed by landscape architect Julie Bargmann. The firm was responsible for integrating parking with a natural landscape. Project designer Andrew Schwartz worked in collaboration with D.I.R.T. Studio and Prince Concepts to execute this vision, carefully balancing functionality and aesthetics. Construction manager Randall Pardy oversaw the project's implementation, ensuring that the design was realized effectively and sustainably. (Ref. 5)

Key actors - initiating organization

Private sector/corporate actor/company

Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)

Private sector/corporate actor/company

Stages of citizen and community engagement

Other

Level of citizen and community engagement

Limited

Community empowerment or capacity-building initiatives

Unknwon

Participatory methods/forms of stakeholder involvement (all stakeholders)

Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)

Uncommon actors ("Missing actors")

Unknown

Land owners

Real estate developer

Policy drivers

NBS intervention implemented in response to a Regional Directive/Strategy

Unknown

NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan

Unknown

NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan

Yes

Please specify the "local regulation/strategy/plan"

The project mentions that it is designed to fit " the broader vision for Core City" - Neighborhood Stabilization Program "stabilization of neighborhoods most severely impacted by foreclosure and abandonment" (1)

Relevant strategy or plan

Urban redevelopment plan

Mandatory or voluntary intervention

Voluntary (spontaneous)

Enablers & Barriers

Type of enablers

Unknown

Governace and decison-making instruments

Strategic instruments (e.g. GI strategies, green space strategy or plans)

Arrangements for governance cooperation

Unknown

Barriers

Unknown.

Financing

Total cost

€50,000 - €100,000

Please specify total cost (EUR)

$75,000 (67,438.88 Euro) (Ref.5)

What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?

67,438.88 Euro (Ref.5)

Source(s) of funding

Corporate investment

Type of fund(s) used

Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)

Non-financial contribution

Unknown

Co-finance for NBS

Entrepreneurship opportunities

Unknown

Business models

Risk reduction model

Vacant space model

Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?

Private for-profit actor (e.g. firm, insurer)

5. Evaluation and learning

Impacts, benefits

Environmental impacts

Climate change

Storm / wave induced erosion and flooding

Achieved storm / wave induced erosion and flooding

Environmental quality

Improved soil quality

Achieved improved soil quality

Water management and blue areas

Improved stormwater management

Achieved improved stormwater management

Green space and habitat

Increased green space area

Achieved increased green space area

Increased conversion of degraded land or soil

Achieved increased conversion of degraded land or soil

Increased number of species present

Achieved increased number of species present

Description of environmental benefits

-Improved soil quality/Increased conversion of degraded land or soil: “Tall green berms mediate the soil conditions caused by buried refuse from previously demolished buildings” (Ref.2). “Approximately 540 cubic yards of soil were imported and formed into elongated earthen mounds, which were then planted” (Ref.7).
--Achieved storm / wave induced erosion and flooding/Improved stormwater management: “But the project — which transforms a long-vacant lot — is much more than just a cosmetic intervention. Its precisely sloped berms and porous surfaces absorb and channel rainwater and melting snow, alleviating the risk of flooding. It’s a stark contrast to most surface parking lots, which erase natural landscapes and exacerbate stormwater damage.” (Ref.2)
-Increased green space area: “Conversion of empty lot into a public park and greenspace; 2230 sq m.” ; "With three times more trees than car stalls, the 24,000-square-foot space achieves a ruderal quality" (Ref.1)
-Increased number of species present: “Atop a base of white clover, the lot’s 78 trees comprise Blue Point juniper, Autumn Blaze maple, American sweetgum and a wealth of native staghorn sumac.” (Ref.2)

Environmental impact indicators

Total number of vascular plant species protected or introduced

78 (Ref.1)

Green space area created (in ha)

0.2 (Ref.1)

Economic impacts

Stimulate development in deprived areas

Achieved stimulate development in deprived areas

Description of economic benefits

-Stimulate development in deprived areas: “The area is in the Core City neighborhood, located just west of Woodbridge and about 2 miles from downtown, and a part of Detroit that hasn't seen much development or redevelopment action in decades.” (Ref.9)

Evidence for use of assessment

Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process

Unknown

Presence of indicators used in reporting

Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports

No evidence in public records

Availability of a web-based monitoring tool

No evidence in public records

Name of any specific impact assessment tools

Unknown.

Use of GIS in mapping impacts

No evidence in public records

Cost-benefit analysis

Unknown

Transparency

Unknown

Justice

Community satisfaction

Positive: The majority of feedback and reports indicate high levels of satisfaction and appreciation for the NBS project within the community.

Description of locals satisfaction with the project

"There was something that was so subversive about this ... there’s this undercurrent of urban renewal and urban decay that is transformed into a retreat space for the community.” (Ref.5) “I can’t wait. Like, imagine this park in 10 years when these trees are growing up. It’s going to be magnificent.” (Ref.6) “There’s so much pride in the car, and it’s a historic thing, so seeing these beautiful cars alongside some naturally seeded Queen Anne’s lace with some butterflies fluttering around is so cool,” (Ref.7)

Trade-offs & Negative impacts

Unknown

Measures to prevent gentrification or displacement

No initiatives or policies were implemented

High-quality & Transformative NBS

Multiple impacts delivery (climate, biodiversity, just community)

Yes

Goal setting and impacts delivery

Yes, from the planning phase the project aimed to address issues in these three key priority areas and it also delivered benefits across these three areas.

Reaching original project goals

Most of the project goals were achieved

Please specify the achievements of the project goals

Climate action and biodiversity goals:
-Improved soil quality/Increased conversion of degraded land or soil: “Tall green berms mediate the soil conditions caused by buried refuse from previously demolished buildings” (Ref.2). “Approximately 540 cubic yards of soil were imported and formed into elongated earthen mounds, which were then planted” (Ref.7).
--Achieved storm / wave induced erosion and flooding/Improved stormwater management: “But the project — which transforms a long-vacant lot — is much more than just a cosmetic intervention. Its precisely sloped berms and porous surfaces absorb and channel rainwater and melting snow, alleviating the risk of flooding. It’s a stark contrast to most surface parking lots, which erase natural landscapes and exacerbate stormwater damage.” (Ref.2)
-Increased green space area: “Conversion of empty lot into a public park and greenspace; 2230 sq m.” ; "With three times more trees than car stalls, the 24,000-square-foot space achieves a ruderal quality" (Ref.1)
-Increased number of species present: “Atop a base of white clover, the lot’s 78 trees comprise Blue Point juniper, Autumn Blaze maple, American sweetgum and a wealth of native staghorn sumac.” (Ref.2)
Social justice and community Goals:
-Improved access to urban green space: “the objective was to allow continued convenient access to the park by visitors living beyond walking distance, while also assimilating the car park into the overall design scheme, making it an extension of the natural landscape” (Ref.5).
-Increased opportunities for social interaction: “in the evening, the park serves as an extension of Core City Park, as a thoughtful public garden for connection, contemplation and enjoyment.” (Ref.1)
-Increased appreciation for natural spaces: “People come and eat lunch in the car just to enjoy the scenery,” (Ref.2)

Long-term perspective

Yes

Cost-effective solutions

Unknown

Equitable impacts

A. All stakeholders benefit fairly from the project

Transformative capacity

Ecological change (e.g. ecosystem functions and their distribution)

Technical change (e.g. built infrastructure of cities and their parts, roads, buildings and so on)

Magnitude of change

Incremental: shallow; that is, mostly maintaining business-as-usual approaches to adaptation

Application of lessons learned

The NBS has been shared or used as a good practice to trigger transformative change

Perception of Environmental Change

Unknown

6. Sources

References

Prince Concepts (2022). PARK(ing): DETROIT. Accessed on August 21, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Novakovic, S. (2023). Detroit’s Park(Ing) Is a Green Space First and Parking Lot Second. Azure Magazine, Accessed on August 21, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Niche (n.d.). Core City. Accessed on August 21, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

NeighborhoodScout (n.d.). Detroit, MI (Core City). Accessed on August 21, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Volner, I. (2023). Park(ing) by D.I.R.T. Studio. Architect Magazine, Accessed on August 21, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Neavling, S. (2022). Green parking lot in Detroit is brimming with 100+ trees. Metro Times, Accessed on August 21, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Schuler, T. (2023). Chucking the Seed Julie Bargmann embraces the urban wilds of Detroit with PARK(ing), designed for Prince Concepts. Arch Paper, Accessed on August 21, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Loop Design Awards (2023). Park(ing) Prince Concepts. Accessed on August 21, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Reindl, J. (2021). Detroit's Core City project revitalizes abandoned Detroit buildings, land. Detroit Free Press, Accessed on August 21, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

10.

Novakovic, S. (2023). Metamorphosis: Prince Concepts Reimagines Detroit’s Core City. Azure Magazine, Accessed on August 21, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Comments and notes

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