1. General information Location and description of the intervention City or FUA Mobile (FUA) Region Northern America Short description of the intervention The Africatown Connections Blueway project aims to create a recreational water trail by linking 14 culturally and historically significant points along a 10-mile route (Ref 1). Central to this initiative is the preservation of Africatown's rich heritage and natural resources. The project seeks to reconnect residents of Africatown, descendants of the original founders of this self-governing community, which maintained a strong sense of African cultural heritage, to waterways that were historically vital for food, transport, and spiritual practices (Ref 1). By restoring access to these waters, the community can address both environmental and social issues, promoting eco-tourism and business growth while safeguarding cultural heritage (Ref 2). Local leaders emphasize the environment’s role in healing the community and preserving history, highlighting how this initiative can provide economic opportunities and improve quality of life (Ref 2). The project seeks to address the environmental injustices that Africatown communities have endured for decades. The area surrounding Africatown has long been dominated by harmful industries, including aluminium plants and paper mills, which have heavily polluted the water and restricted residents' access to it (Ref 1). With support from the National Park Service and contributions from Mississippi State University, the Blueway transforms neglected river access points into recreational areas, promoting environmental stewardship and cultural awareness (Ref 2). Website of the intervention https://mobilebaykeeper.org/blog/take-me-to-the-river-the-africatown-connection… Principal problems Environmental Degradation Poor water quality Land use and Socio-economic change Unequal availability and access to public green spaces Other Please specify other principal problem Land use and Socio-economic change -Unequal availability and access to public blue spaces (river) Implementation area characterization Climate Temperate ( Humid subtropical, Hot-summer Mediterranean, Warm-summer Mediterranean, Warm-temperate with dry winter) Ecosystem Rivers/streams Urban or built environment Address Mobile, 36610 United States Location The NBS area is spread over a linear space, the GIS coordinates serve as points along a line (e.g. along a river) Area boundary (map-based) Area description Urban (main city) Type of area before implementation of the NBS Industrial Residential Cultural Heritage Area Public Greenspace Area Timeline of intervention Start date of the intervention (planning process) 2016 Start date of intervention (implementation process) in planning stage End date of the intervention unknown Present stage of the intervention In planning stage 2. Objectives of the intervention Objectives of the intervention Goals of the intervention 1) Transform neglected river access points into safe recreational spaces, with docks, lawn spaces and walking trails (instead of the current muddy riverbanks with lots of dirt and overgrown bushes) (Ref 2). 2) Preserve Africatown's rich history and natural resources (Ref 1). 3) Reconnect the community to its waterways (Ref 1). 4) Address environmental injustices caused by industrial development (Ref 1). 5) Promote eco-tourism and provide economic opportunities (Ref 2). 6) Improve water quality and remove dirt (Ref 2) Key Priorities Social Justice and community Sustainability challenge(s) addressed Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15) Green space creation and/or management Regeneration, land-use and urban development Conversion of former industrial areas Water management (SDG 6) Improvements to water quality Cultural heritage and cultural diversity Preservation of natural heritage Protection of historic and cultural landscape/infrastructure Health and well-being (SDG 3) Creation of opportunities for recreation Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10) Social justice and equity Environmental and climate justice Sense of community and community engagement Economic development and employment (SDG 8) Tourism support Implementation activities and NBS focus Implementation activities 1) Upgrading infrastructure at key sites with the construction of pocket parks and green spaces, with docks, lawn spaces and walking trails for enhancing public access points for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing (Ref 2) 2) Restoration of the natural environment, where previously harmful industries were active, through clean up work (Ref 2) 3) Concept planning by Mississippi State University: creating plans for transportation, recreation, and shoreline restoration addresses previous environmental and social challenges by improving the area's sustainability and accessibility (Ref 2). 4) Community Engagement: involving over 200 residents in planning ensures that the project reflects community needs, addressing past disconnection and fostering a sense of ownership (Ref 2). Type of NBS project Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas River rehabilitation/ restoration Transformation of previously derelict areas Post-industrial site regeneration Strategy, plan or policy development Creation of city-wide or neighborhood green and blue infrastrcuture protection or enhancement strategies/plans 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 Blue infrastructure Rivers/streams/canals/estuaries Deltas Riverbank/Lakeside greens Amenities offered by the NBS Benches and drinking water stations Playgrounds Sports areas and equipment Swimming areas Educational or biodiversity trails Cultural (museum, concert areas) Complementing infrastructure (bathrooms, café) Viewing and outlook points 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) Tactile elements (e.g., natural materials like wood or stone, exposure to sunlight) Services Expected ecosystem services delivered Habitat and supporting services Habitats for species Cultural services Tourism Aesthetic appreciation Recreation Mental and physical health and wellbeing Spiritual and / or emblematic (symbolic, sacred and / or religious) Physical and experiential interactions with plants and animals Social and community interactions Scale Spatial scale Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level Beneficiaries Demographics in implementation area The project is located in the Africatown neighbourhood, which has a significant history and a unique demographic profile. The community was founded by West Africans who survived the last known transatlantic slave ship, the Clotilda, which arrived in Mobile in 1860 (Ref 1) - Africatown is predominantly African American (98% in 2010) (Ref 6) - 251 people / 55 households live in the neighbourhood (Ref 5) - the median age is 28.46 (Ref (5) - the median income: $17,041 (Ref 5) - The average household size is three people, with 47% of the households having children (Ref 5) Socio-economic profile of the area Low-income Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts Yes Specification of climate or environmentally vulnerable communities Riverfront communities Communities near industrial areas Minority or marginalized ethnic groups Non-government actors Non-governmental organisation (NGO) / Civil society / Churches Researchers, university Citizens or community groups Primary Beneficiaries Citizens or community groups Marginalized groups Specify primary beneficiaries - the communities of Africatown Marginalized groups Disadvantaged ethnic or racial groups Vulnerable populations in disaster-prone areas Measures for inclusion of marginalised groups The project is specifically plan to benefit the Africatown communities. "We had become frustrated with how industry over time had blocked our access to the water in so many ways, transforming the land and making it terribly unhealthy" (Ref 1), "has aimed to reconnect the neighborhood and its people to the water in an effort to preserve history and to rebuild the area." Rref 2) Specify measures taken for vulnerable or marginalized communities Targeted outreach and engagement efforts with vulnerable or marginalized communities to understand concerns or identify risks Collaboration with local community organizations or advocacy groups representing these communities Other beneficiaries Local wildlife (e.g., birds, pollinators) Native plant vegetation Natural habitats (e.g. wetland, forests, coastal areas) 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 Alumni Association of the Mobile County Training School: envision the project (Ref 1) - Africatown leaders (Liz Smith-Incer, Major Joe Womack, Anderson Flen, and others) (Ref 1) - Africatown’s C.H.E.S.S. organization (Clean. Healthy. Educated. Safe. Sustainable.) has developed a trail map and booklet showcasing the points of interest (Ref 1) - Africatown Heritage Protection Foundation (AHPF): coordinate the project - the Mississippi State University’s Department of Landscape Architecture students: formulated concept plans (Ref 2) - with technical assistance from the National Park Service – Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance program (ref 2) - Regional government of Alabama: allocated funding to Mobile County (through the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act funds) (Ref 1) Key actors - initiating organization Non-government organisation/civil society Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors) Regional government Local government/municipality Non-government organisation/civil society District/neighbourhood association Citizens or community group Researchers/university Stages of citizen and community engagement Planning and design (e.g. site selection, identification of key priorities) Level of citizen and community engagement Moderate Community empowerment or capacity-building initiatives 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) Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls) Uncommon actors ("Missing actors") Unknown Land owners Public space owned by the city Other Please specify other landowner Public space owned by the State of Alabama (Ref 1) 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" Africatown Connections Blueway is a part of the Mobile County Blueway system (Ref 1) Relevant strategy or plan Water regulation strategy Mandatory or voluntary intervention Voluntary (spontaneous) Enablers & Barriers Type of enablers Change agents (individual with major role influence on launching) Please provide details (e.g, name of the plan or strategy) for the selected policies or initiatives. - Change agents (individual with major role influence on launching: Africatown leaders (Liz Smith-Incer, Major Joe Womack, Anderson Flen, and others) (Ref 1) Governace and decison-making instruments Strategic instruments (e.g. GI strategies, green space strategy or plans) Public - community agreement (e.g. citizen science programs; citizen assemblies) Arrangements for governance cooperation Unknown Barriers unknown Financing Total cost Unknown Please specify total cost (EUR) Only for developing Lewis Landing (one of the 14 public access points): $1.5 million = 1 349 683,95 Euros (exchange rate on 22/08/2024: 1 USD = 0,899789 EUR) (from Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act funds) The rest of the costs are unknown. What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements? Unknown Source(s) of funding Public regional budget Other funding sources are unclear Type of fund(s) used Earmarked public budget Other funding types are unknown Non-financial contribution Unknown Co-finance for NBS Unknown Entrepreneurship opportunities Unknown Business models Business models Green heritage model Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model? Citizens / local communities 5. Evaluation and learning Impacts, benefits Environmental impacts Water management and blue areas Improved water quality Expected improved water quality Enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems Expected enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems Green space and habitat Increased green space area Expected increased green space area Restoration of derelict areas Expected restoration of derelict areas Description of environmental benefits -Enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems & Improved water quality: [talking about the waterway] "We’re trying to preserve and protect the environment and make it better for the residents here.” (Ref 2) "What we’re doing really not only affects the lives of people, but the environment" (Ref 2) -Increased green space area: the project is expected to increase access to the water through "walkable access " and "new parks" (Ref 1) -Restoration of derelict areas: "transforming neglected and muddy river access points" (Ref 2), as the project focuses on the restoration spaces where previously harmful industries were active. Environmental impact indicators Green space area created (in ha) unknown Total area of habitat restored (in ha) unknown Area of river/lake or riparian area restored (in ha) 10 miles route Water supplied or available from nature restoration (in m³ or L) unknown Area of water management infrastructure (e.g. SUDs, rain gardens) (m2) unknown Economic impacts More sustainable tourism Expected more sustainable tourism 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 - More sustainable tourism: "Eco-tourism is a huge industry, and these things present opportunities for the community, not only to share their story but also create economic opportunities" (Ref 1) - Stimulate development in deprived areas: "can be an economic basis, it will transform everything that we have in this community,” Howell said. “Every part of the project includes opportunities for business growth in the community, including boating services and restaurants for visitors"". (Ref 2) -Attraction of business and investment: "We want to bring small business back to the community" (Ref 1) Economic impact indicators Number of jobs created (e.g. park maintenance, landscaping, ecotourism) unknown Number of businesses attracted by the NBS (number) unknown Social and cultural impacts Social justice and cohesion Improved access to urban green space Expected improved access to urban green space Health and wellbeing Gain in activities for recreation and exercise Expected gain in activities for recreation and exercise Enhanced cognitive restoration, relaxation and stress relief Expected enhanced cognitive restoration, relaxation and stress relief Cultural heritage and sense of place Protection of historic and cultural landscape / infrastructure Expected protection of historic and cultural landscape / infrastructure Preserved spiritual and religious values Expected preserved spiritual and religious values Increased sense of place identity, memory and belonging Expected increased sense of place identity, memory and belonging Increased awareness of flora and fauna as culturally and historically meaningful Expected increased awareness of flora and fauna as culturally and historically meaningful Increased appreciation for natural spaces Expected increased appreciation for natural spaces Education Increased knowledge of locals about local nature Expected increased knowledge of locals about local nature Social and cultural impact indicators Surface area of accessible green spaces (in ha) unknown Total area of recreational green space created or restored (in ha) unknown Number of participants in outdoor activities or exercise programs in green spaces unknown Number of community events, gatherings, or volunteer activities organized in green spaces unknown Number of environmental education programs, workshops, outreach activities (eg. in schools, community centers, public spaces) unknown Description of social and cultural benefits -Improved access to urban green/blue space: "help create a trail plan to make the waterways accessible to residents again" "walkable access points Africatown residents had to the Mobile-Tensaw Delta" "increased access to the Blueway" (Ref 1) -Gain in activities for recreation and exercise: "creating greater recreational opportunities for the surrounding communities." (Ref 1) -Enhanced cognitive restoration, relaxation and stress relief: "Peaceful, meditational, looking at the water" (Ref 1 video) -Protection of historic and cultural landscape / infrastructure: "Water plays an essential role in African culture" "We want the community to understand how they can benefit from the Blueway, how they can appreciate the history and how their ancestors valued the waterways there, and how it connected all of the people up and down" (Ref 1) -Preserved spiritual and religious values: "With the later adoption of Christianity, the local community churches used a portion of Three Mile Creek for their baptism rituals." (Ref 1) -Increased sense of place identity, memory and belonging: "The Africatown Connections Blueway will be composed of 14 points of interest that highlight natural, historical or cultural themes" (Ref 3) "reconnect the neighborhood and its people to the water in an effort to preserve history and to rebuild the area." "Smith-Incer and community members had been working to link the historical neighborhoods and Africatown USA State Park via a water trail" (Ref 2) -Increased awareness of flora and fauna as culturally and historically meaningful: "“Life is connected to water. Without water we cannot survive. The water brought us here,” says Leavie King, current Chairman of the Africatown Heritage Preservation Foundation (AHPF). “And once established here, the original residents understood how crucial the waterway was to their survival.”" (Ref 1) -Increased appreciation for natural spaces: "“What you’re doing with the Blueway — it’s giving people access. A means to come out and enjoy" (Ref 1)"they can take those plans and make Mobile what it should be, in terms of working with nature as opposed to trying to dominate it." (Ref 1) -Increased knowledge of locals about local nature: "We thought a swim program would be a great segue with the Blueway, to continue to keep the enjoyment of the waterways and remove that fear and apprehension.” (Ref 1) Mental health benefits Reduced stress Improved mood Restoration and relaxation Increased feelings of nature connection Increased feelings of happiness and contentment Evidence for use of assessment Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process Unknown Presence of indicators used in reporting Yes Type of indicators Outcome indicators 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 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 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 "According to Womack, not only was the consent enthusiastic, but there was much “oohing and aahing” when the concept designs were shown." (Ref 2) Trade-offs & Negative impacts Unknown Emphasis of existing social inequalities or injustices No information reported related to negative social justice-related impacts of the NBS project Measures to prevent gentrification or displacement Unknown High-quality & Transformative NBS Multiple impacts delivery (climate, biodiversity, just community) No Goal setting and impacts delivery No, project goals were not set, and benefits were not delivered in all 3 key areas. Reaching original project goals Inconclusive as the project is still undergoing implementation, or is still on its planning stages Long-term perspective Unknown: No information about the project's long-term sustainability. Cost-effective solutions Unknown Equitable impacts C. Unknown Transformative capacity Social change (e.g. social relationships, networks and dynamics within them) Ecological change (e.g. ecosystem functions and their distribution) Magnitude of change Reformist: by focusing on addressing underlying drivers of change but failing to address the problem structurally or systemically Application of lessons learned Unknown Perception of Environmental Change Unknown 6. Sources References 1. Wilkes, S. (2023). Take Me To the River: The Africatown Connections Blueway. Mobile, Al: Mobile Bay Keeper, p. 1-9 Accessed on August 22, 2024, [Download]; 2. Gach, M. (n.d.). Reconnecting Creeks to Culture in Africatown. Mobile, Al: National Park Service, p. 1-4 Accessed on August 22, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 3. Africatown HPF (n.d.). Africatown HPF Donations - Africatown Connections Blueway. Mobile, Al: Africatown HPF , p. 1 Accessed on August 22, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 4. Smith-Incer, E. (n.d.). Africatown Connections Blueway: Healing Begins by Reclaiming Our Heritage and Happiness. Mobile, Al: American Trails, p. 1 Accessed on August 22, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 5. weichert.com (2024). Africatown demographics 1. Mobile, Al: weichert.com, Accessed on August 22, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 6. Wilkins, C., Kemp-Rotan, R. (n.d.). Racialization of space and spatialization of race. Mobile, Al: The Architectural League, p. 5. Accessed on August 22, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; Comments and notes Public Images Image Map of the africatown-blueway-connection project, with 14 points of interest that highlight natural, historical or cultural themes along a 10+ mile route https://mobilebaykeeper.org/blog/take-me-to-the-river-the-africatown-connections-blueway/ accessed on 22/08/2024
Image Map of the africatown-blueway-connection project, with 14 points of interest that highlight natural, historical or cultural themes along a 10+ mile route https://mobilebaykeeper.org/blog/take-me-to-the-river-the-africatown-connections-blueway/ accessed on 22/08/2024
