Joe Louis Greenway

1. General information

Location and description of the intervention

City or FUA

Detroit (FUA)

Region

Northern America

Short description of the intervention

The Joe Louis Greenway is a 27.5-mile recreational pathway designed to create safe, connected, and equitable spaces throughout Detroit. It will link 23 neighborhoods across Detroit, Hamtramck, Highland Park, and Dearborn, connecting them to each other and to the Detroit riverfront. The greenway will transform a blighted, abandoned rail corridor into a park that runs through the heart of Detroit's communities. (Ref. 2, 3)
This project is guided by a Framework Plan funded by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and shaped by extensive community input. Residents voiced a strong desire for the greenway to provide off-street recreation and increased access to green spaces across Detroit. Additionally, they advocated for the restoration and remediation of former industrial sites, which the Conrail section of the greenway will address. (Ref. 4) The design incorporates stormwater management to mitigate flooding, native meadow plantings to support bird habitats, and tree-lined paths for shade and improved air quality. The Framework Plan ensures the Joe Louis Greenway will transform infrastructure that once divided neighborhoods into one that unites them, reconnects natural systems, drives economic redevelopment, and fosters a resilient social network. (Ref. 13)
The concept originated in 2007 with the Friends of the Inner Circle Greenway local NGO and became part of the Detroit Greenways Coalition Network Vision in 2009. The Detroit Greenways Coalition Network Vision is a comprehensive plan developed by the Detroit Greenways Coalition (NGO), an organization dedicated to promoting non-motorized transportation and green infrastructure throughout the city. After years of advocacy and collaboration with the city of Detroit, the project’s route was finalized. In 2017, Mayor Mike Duggan announced the greenway would be renamed in honor of Joe Louis, the legendary boxer and Detroit native who championed African Americans' rights and symbolized social justice. (Ref. 1, 2,)

Website of the intervention

https://detroitgreenways.org/projects/joe-louis-greenway/

Principal problems

Land use and Socio-economic change

Unequal availability and access to public green spaces

Health, Well-being and Social cohesion

Inadequate access to recreational opportunities

Disconnection from nature

Implementation area characterization

Climate

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

Ecosystem

Urban or built environment

Address

8627 Alpine Street
Detroit, 48204
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

https://detroitgreenways.org/projects/joe-louis-greenway/

Area description

Urban (main city)

Other urban area outside city center (e.g. another municipality in the FUA, commuting zone)

Type of area before implementation of the NBS

Industrial

Previous derelict area

Residential

Vacant or abandoned land

Timeline of intervention

Start date of the intervention (planning process)

2007

Start date of intervention (implementation process)

2021

End date of the intervention

ongoing

Present stage of the intervention

Ongoing

2. Objectives of the intervention

Objectives of the intervention

Goals of the intervention

To create a continuous 27.5-mile pathway that links neighborhoods, parks, and key destinations across Detroit and neighboring cities integrating existing trails (including former industrial areas)
To ensure a safe and accessible route for pedestrians, cyclists, and other non-motorized users through protected bike lanes and well-maintained trails, reducing vehicle reliance and promoting healthier, sustainable transportation options.
To promote equitable access, cohesion by bridging gaps between neighborhoods, especially in historically underserved areas, ensuring all residents benefit from the new infrastructure (expanding green spaces and inclusive opportunities for recreation)
To implement along the pathway several sustainable urban drainage systems including bios wales, planted rain gardens full of native plant species, native meadows to mitigate flooding
To address poor air quality, years of pollution, heath island effect by planting trees
To promote accessibility for a wide variety of users through ADA compliance for those who may benefit from visual and auditory accommodations.
To include the local community in the design and decision making process (Ref. 1, 2, 3, 4, 13)

Key Priorities

Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation)

Social Justice and community

Sustainability challenge(s) addressed

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

Climate change adaptation

Environmental quality

Air quality improvement

Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)

Green space creation and/or management

Regeneration, land-use and urban development

Conversion of former industrial areas

Promote natural styles of landscape design for urban development

Water management (SDG 6)

Stormwater and rainfall management and storage

Health and well-being (SDG 3)

Creation of opportunities for recreation

Enabling opportunities for physical activity

Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)

Inclusive governance

Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)

Social cohesion

Social justice and equity

Social interaction

Sense of community and community engagement

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

Increase urban vegetation cover to reduce urban heat island effect

Implement sustainable urban drainage schemes to manage stormwater

Implementation activities and NBS focus

Implementation activities

The project officially began in May 2021 with a groundbreaking ceremony, marking the start of physical construction on the greenway. Development is currently focused on the first segments of the 27.5-mile pathway. Active construction is underway to create new trails and integrate protected on-street bike lanes, aiming to establish a continuous and safe route for pedestrians and cyclists that connects neighborhoods and key destinations across Detroit. A core activity involves linking existing trails, such as the Dequindre Cut and the Detroit RiverWalk, into the greenway network. The city also coordinated the Joe Louis Greenway Neighborhood Planning Study (ongoing) to examine the current condition of these areas and make recommendations and implement strategies.
City of Detroit staff have engaged businesses and property owners along the alley corridor, with ongoing coordination from the Detroit and Hamtramck City Managers. The General Services Department conducted door-to-door surveys to gather input on the proposed alleyway connection, and most business owners agreed that improvements would benefit the community.
An extensive process of engagement among community residents (Small and Large Group activities—designed to enable community participants to identify the greenway features and amenities that are most important to them), City of Detroit staff, agency and jurisdictional partners, stakeholders and the consultant team is underway. (Ref1-4)

Type of NBS project

Creation of new green areas

Creation of green corridors (including connectivity between urban and rural ecosystems)

Creation of large parks and urban and peri-urban forests

Creation of semi-natural blue areas

Implementation of green areas for water management (e.g. rain gardens)

Transformation of previously derelict areas

Post-industrial site regeneration

Transformation of vacant land into green spaces

Improved governance of green or blue areas

Establishment of inclusive governance mechanisms involving local communities

3. NBS domains, ES and scale

NBS domain and interventions

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

Green areas for water management

Rain gardens

Swales and filter strips

Grey infrastructure featuring greens

Alley or street trees and other street vegetation

Parks and urban forests

Large urban parks or forests

Green corridors and green belts

Amenities offered by the NBS

Benches and drinking water stations

Playgrounds

Cultural (museum, concert areas)

Complementing infrastructure (bathrooms, café)

Design elements for well-being

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

Auditory elements (e.g., birdsong, water features, quiet areas, rustling leaves)

Olfactory elements (e.g., floral scents, earthy smells)

Services

Expected ecosystem services delivered

Provisioning services

Water (surface and ground water for drinking and non-drinking purposes)

Regulating services

Local climate regulation (temperature reduction)

Air quality regulation

Cultural services

Aesthetic appreciation

Recreation

Mental and physical health and wellbeing

Social and community interactions

Scale

Spatial scale

Meso-scale: Regional, metropolitan and urban level

Beneficiaries

Demographics in implementation area

"When completed, 46,000 Detroiters will live within a 10-minute walk to the Joe Louis Greenway." The demographics of the implementation area include people from large variety of backgrounds, ages, ethnicity, etc. (Ref.6)

Socio-economic profile of the area

Mixed income

Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts

Non-government actors

Non-governmental organisation (NGO) / Civil society / Churches

Citizens or community groups

Primary Beneficiaries

Citizens or community groups

Marginalized groups

Specify primary beneficiaries

-Local Residents: Detroit residents, especially those living in neighborhoods directly connected by the greenway, are the primary beneficiaries. The project provides them with safe, accessible recreational spaces and alternative transportation options, reducing reliance on vehicles.
-Underserved Communities: The project places a strong emphasis on equity, targeting historically underserved and marginalized communities within Detroit. These groups benefit from improved access to green spaces and connectivity to other parts of the city, which can enhance quality of life and economic opportunities.
-Cyclists and Pedestrians: The greenway is designed to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians, offering them protected pathways and a continuous route through the city. This group benefits from safer and more enjoyable options for commuting, exercise, and recreation.
(Ref.2,4)

Marginalized groups

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

Disadvantaged ethnic or racial groups

Measures for inclusion of marginalised groups

"We have a chance to use this project to protect housing affordability, spur new economic development, while learning how we can support the current needs of residents, community organizations, and local businesses." (Ref.5) The group tested innovative engagement activities, provided suggestions for larger meetings, and assisted with outreach to hard-to-reach populations. Overall, there were 17 planned events with over 600 attendees, with translators and fliers in Spanish, Arabic, and Bengali. (Ref.6)

Specify measures taken for vulnerable or marginalized communities

Targeted outreach and engagement efforts with vulnerable or marginalized communities to understand concerns or identify risks

Implementation of specific programs to address the needs of these communities

Collaboration with local community organizations or advocacy groups representing these communities

Other beneficiaries

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

Native plant vegetation

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

Public health (e.g. increased physical activity opportunities, reduced stress)

4. Governance and financing

Governance

Governance arrangements

Co-governance with government and non-government actors

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

The City of Detroit initiated and oversees the project to ensure it aligns with broader urban planning and community goals. The Detroit Greenways Coalition (NGO) has played a key role in conceptualizing the greenway, modifying routing plans, and championing the project within the community.
The Friends of the Inner Circle Greenway (NGO) have been instrumental since 2007, advocating for the project and helping to shape its vision. Local residents and communities have been engaged through consultations and meetings to ensure the project meets their needs and promotes equity. City of Detroit staff engaged businesses and property owners along the alley corridor, as well as involving a team of experts and consultants. The General Services Department conducted door-to-door surveys, with business owners.
Federal and state governments have provided significant funding, including a $20.7 million grant; Ralph A. Wilson Legacy also provided funds (Ref. 2,6)

Key actors - initiating organization

Local government/municipality

Non-government organisation/civil society

Citizens or community group

Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)

National government

Regional government

Non-government organisation/civil society

Citizens or community group

Private sector/corporate actor/company

Private foundation/trust

Stages of citizen and community engagement

Planning and design (e.g. site selection, identification of key priorities)

Development of project proposal

Decision-making among different alternative plans

Feedback during project implementation (e.g. review sessions)

Level of citizen and community engagement

High

Community empowerment or capacity-building initiatives

Formation of community-led groups responsible for the the implementation, maintenace or monitoring of the project

Creation of collaborative decision-making processes that actively involve community members

Participatory methods/forms of stakeholder involvement (all stakeholders)

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

Taskforce groups

Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)

Citizen oversight (e.g. boards, advisory)

Uncommon actors ("Missing actors")

Unknown

Land owners

Public space owned by the city

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"

Joe Louis Greenway Framework Plan Vol1. and 2. (Ref.3) in connection to the City of Detroit Non-motorized Urban Transportation Master Plan

Relevant strategy or plan

City specific green space strategy or plan

Urban redevelopment plan

Mandatory or voluntary intervention

Mandatory (based on policy)

Intervention is mandatory

Spatial planning law

Environmental regulation

Enablers & Barriers

Type of enablers

Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city)

Please provide details (e.g, name of the plan or strategy) for the selected policies or initiatives.

"$20.7 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity, or RAISE, grant" (Ref.7).
Ralph A. Wilson Legacy also provided funds (Ref. 2,6, 13)

Governace and decison-making instruments

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

Economic and fiscal instruments (e.g. subsidies or grants, charges or fees, payments for ecosystem services (PES))

Public - community agreement (e.g. citizen science programs; citizen assemblies)

Arrangements for governance cooperation

Formal coordination mechanisms to oversee project implementation and decision-making (e.g., multi-stakeholder steering committees, working groups)

Task forces or commissions (e.g. group of multi-disciplinary experts)

Information-sharing platforms or networks (e.g. websites for sharing best practices, data or resources pertinent to the project)

Barriers

Unknown.

Financing

Total cost

More than €4,000,000

Please specify total cost (EUR)

"The City of Detroit, Joe Louis Greenway Partnership, and Detroit Riverfront Conservancy formed the Unified Greenway Partnership, and has already raised $178 million (~161 million Euros) of its goal of $350 million for the completion and endowed maintenance of the JLG." (Ref.6)

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

expected to be around $350 million (~316 million Euros) (Ref.6)

Source(s) of funding

Public local authority budget

Public national budget

Public regional budget

Private Foundation/Trust

Type of fund(s) used

Earmarked public budget

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

Non-financial contribution

Yes

Who provided the non-financial contribution?

Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)

Citizens (e.g. volunteering)

Type of non-financial contribution

Provision of land

Provision of expertise

Co-finance for NBS

Yes

Co-governance arrangement

A fund / grant

Entrepreneurship opportunities

Unknown

Business models

Green densification model

Local stewardship model

Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?

Public actor (e.g. municipality)

5. Evaluation and learning

Impacts, benefits

Environmental impacts

Climate change

Lowered local temperature

Expected lowered local temperature

Environmental quality

Improved air quality

Expected improved air quality

Improved waste management

Achieved improved waste management

Water management and blue areas

Improved stormwater management

Expected improved stormwater management

Green space and habitat

Increased green space area

Expected increased green space area

Enhanced support of pollination

Expected enhanced support of pollination

Restoration of derelict areas

Expected restoration of derelict areas

Description of environmental benefits

--Expected lowered local temperature/Expected improved air quality: "Greenways hold immense promise as they can have significant social and environmental benefits, such as improving air quality, reducing urban heat island effects"
-Achieved improved waste management: " To date, the project has removed more than 68,000 cubic yards of debris (which could fill 22 Olympic-sized swimming pools) and nearly 23,000 old, illegally dumped tires from the area, and is investing in permanent infrastructure and beautification that enhances the quality of life and provides equitable access to public resources."
-Expected improved stormwater management: "The design of the greenway incorporates stormwater management to reduce flooding impacts, native meadow plantings to provide bird habitat, and trees throughout to provide shade and help with air quality. Sustainability, however, goes much further than just the environment. This project will impact many facets of sustainability, including public health, economic development, neighborhood stabilization, park access, and connectivity"; A buffer of landscaping or lawn with trees separates the shared-use path, and lawn with trees or landscaping between the path and street edge, private property or the active rail line." ; " planted rain gardens full of native plant species reimagine the role of vacant land in the city."
Increased green space area: “Detroit is on a mission to create more green spaces for cycling already and to connect cycling routes with neighborhoods and the metro area.” ; "The 27.5-mile greenway will connect parks and neighborhoods across the city, allowing residents to travel safely from McNichols to the riverfront—all without a car—through a combination of new trails, on-street protected bike lanes and links to existing trails like the Dequindre Cut and the RiverWalk."
Restoration of derelict areas: “The objective is to [...] clean up these blight, contaminated areas.”
(Ref.1, 2, 9, 13)

Economic impacts

Generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation)

Achieved generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation)

Expected generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation)

Stimulate development in deprived areas

Expected stimulate development in deprived areas

Attraction of business and investment

Expected attraction of business and investment

Description of economic benefits

Generation of voluntary work opportunities: “They created a Citizen Advisory Council (CAC), made up of one member from each of the five Detroit Council Districts along with members from the other three cities, to volunteer long-term participation in the JLG.” (Ref.11)
Stimulating development in deprived areas: “Residents of Midwest see the development as a first step toward reviving a neighborhood left behind by the boom”. (Ref.12)
Attraction of business and investment: “City of Detroit Group Executive Brad Dick says the project will connect the city’s more developed areas to neighborhoods, providing an additional means of transportation, and will draw businesses and visitors to less popular areas, such as the Midwest neighborhood.” (Ref.12)

Evidence for use of assessment

Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process

Yes

Actors involved in the assessment, monitoring or evaluation of NBS impacts

Citizens or community group

Researchers/university

Presence of indicators used in reporting

Yes

Type of indicators

Outcome indicators

Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports

Yes

Link to monitoring/evaluation reports

https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/handle/2027.42/176167

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

Yes

Link to GIS monitoring data

https://detroitmi.gov/webapp/joe-louis-greenway-interactive-map

Cost-benefit analysis

Unknown

Transparency

Meetings with stakeholders’ representatives

Inclusion of diverse stakeholders in project governance processes (e.g. planning, implementation, monitoring, etc.)

Community forums for information sharing and encouraging the participation of marginalized groups

Clear communication channels for stakeholders to provide feedback, raise concerns, and ask questions about the project

Public disclosure of project funding sources and/or budgets

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

“I know for the folks that live on the near-east side that have been waiting for a very long time, asking when are we going to build off of the Dequindre Cut, where is that going to keep going north? This is the project. This is the time. We are all excited about the possibilities this project brings.” (Ref.7) "there is so much positive to come from the greenway," (Ref.8). “Just to see the uplift and beautification of our area is so exciting for me. I already use the Dequindre Cut — I walk it, ride my bike on it so I cannot wait until the entire project is completed so I can go from end to end.” (Ref.10)

Trade-offs & Negative impacts

Unknown

Measures to prevent gentrification or displacement

Affordable housing provisions or rent control measures

High-quality & Transformative NBS

Multiple impacts delivery (climate, biodiversity, just community)

Yes

Goal setting and impacts delivery

No, although benefits were delivered in all the 3 key areas, but in the planning phase, the project did not aim to address issues in all the 3 key priority areas.

Reaching original project goals

Inconclusive as the project is still undergoing implementation, or is still on its planning stages

Please specify the achievements of the project goals

The project is still undergoing implementation.

Long-term perspective

Yes

Cost-effective solutions

Unknown

Equitable impacts

A. All stakeholders benefit fairly from the project

Transformative capacity

Social change (e.g. social relationships, networks and dynamics within them)

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)

Systemic change (the NBS caused changes across the social, ecological and technological dimensions)

Magnitude of change

Transformative: (deep) by focusing on and substantially changing structures, including institutional ones (norms and rules).

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

Smith Group (2023). Joe Louis Greenway. Accessed on August 19, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Detroit Greenways Coalition (2022). Joe Louis Greenway. Accessed on August 19, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

City of Detroit - general services department (2024). Joe Louis Greenway. Accessed on August 19, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Joe Louis Greenway Partnership (2023). Joe Louis Greenway Partnership . Accessed on August 19, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

City of Detroit - Planning and Development Department (2024). Joe Louis Greenway Neighborhood Planning Study. Accessed on August 19, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

American Society of Landscape Architects (2023). Joe Louis Greenway Framework Plan. Accessed on August 19, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Fernandez, D. (2024). Joe Louis Greenway project in Detroit gets $20.7M grant for expansion. Click on Detroit, Accessed on August 19, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Dunn, P. (2024). Here's how Detroiters are working to ensure residents benefit from the Joe Louis Greenway. model d media, Accessed on August 19, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Gomółka, M. (2023). A PLACE WITH NO NAME | establishing an urban identity - Joe Louis Greenway. issuu, Accessed on August 19, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

10.

Favenyesi, J. (2023). City of Detroit awarded $20.7M in federal funds for greenway links. Bridge Detroit, Accessed on August 19, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

11.

Power, J., Koth, S., Zhang, S. (2023). Joe Louis Greenway As A Strategy For Community Empowerment: Multidisciplinary Methods For Ensuring Positive Impacts. Accessed on August 19, 2024, [Download];

12.

Winn, A. (2020). Is The Joe Louis Greenway a Pathway to Success?. Hour Detroit, Accessed on August 19, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

13.

SBN Detroit (2023). Joe Louis Greenway Project Aims to Transform Abandoned Rail Corridor into 27.5-Mile Recreational Pathway. Accessed on October 23, 2024, [Download];

Comments and notes

Comments

Difficulties with drawing up the greenway on the map as it was difficult to distinguish on which road exactly does the greenway fall (or planned to) based on the maps found on the internet.
https://sbn-detroit.org/joe-louis-greenway-project-aims-to-transform-abandoned-rail-corridor-into-27-5-mile-recreational-pathway/

Public Images