A waterfront for changing urban needs

The nature of a place can be defined by its public spaces and evolving lifestyles, as project coordinator Annie Marrs learns on a visit to Detroit

The UNESCO City of Design network is made up of 22 cities across the world, and sharing our stories and learning from each other is one of the most valuable aspects of being part of this global network.

This proved true yet again when I was recently invited by Detroit’s UNESCO City of Design team – Detroit Creative Corridor – to participate in their Design Summit.

This was a gathering of 250 designers, local officials, planners, students, teachers, artists and international representatives from design cities Saint-Étienne, Kobe and Puebla, who came together to discuss what design can mean for Detroit.

We spent time getting a better understanding of the city’s waterfront regeneration project, something which is of particular interest to me considering Dundee’s current waterfront redevelopment.

Detroit’s project is run by the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, a not-forprofit organisation which manages the infrasructure development and oversees the park’s operation.

Their vision was to develop and improve access to the city’s waterfront and to create “a world class gathering space for all”.

A significant part of the infrastructure is already in place and the focus is on how the public are r using the space.

For instance, it is important the experts find a balance between a managed space that has some rules enforced by park managers, and a green space that encourages the residents of Detroit to use the area as they please.

The city faces many challenges and a central focus for The Riverfront Conservancy is to provide a safe and secure park area.

There’s a highly developed network of security cameras, security personnel and emergency call points - which city representatives told us are mainly used by people looking for the nearest toilet!

Being able to walk, cycle and generally enjoy the waterfront without using a car is a key element of the area’s development.

Once you have passed the Detroit Renaissance Centre, there are a few buildings which sit on the water’s edge; the view is almost uninterrupted and the wide open spaces are good gathering places.

Richie Harrison, a riverfront development planner, walked us through the park and the Dequindre Cut – a former railway line now allocated to accomodate mixed pedestrian and bike use. It links the Eastern Market, a thriving historical food and produce market.

As we got closer people passed us on bikes with baskets full of fresh fruit and veg and it made me wonder whether a similar market facility would work in Dundee.

In the Cut there is also a performance space – with lots of informal seating areas and walls displaying some of the amazing talent of Detroit’s street artists.

Detroit City runs a programme where artists can register their artwork and the city removes any unregistered pieces to try and reduce gang graffiti and vandalism.

It was clear the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy has got the balance right and created a space that is accessible to all, lightly managed and versatile.

They have built a space that gives a sense of escapism to the people of Detroit – a breathing space in the heart of the city.

It has also been well adapted to respond to the changes in the way that people use city spaces, not just in the US but globally.

One of the biggest lessons for city planners in the waterfront redesign has been to imagine the ways people will use new public spaces.

After all, the ultimate the success of these spaces and projects will be dictated by the needs of the people who live in the city.