Detroit RiverWalk Project

Detroit, Detroit (FUA), United States

City population: 4048421

Duration: 2002 – ongoing

Implementation status: Ongoing

Scale: Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level

Project area: unknown

Type of area: Industrial, Previous derelict area, Residential, Public Greenspace Area, Vacant or abandoned land, Mixed-use development (combination of residential, commercial, and/or industrial), Other

Last updated: November 2024

The Detroit RiverWalk is an urban development project along the Detroit River, designed to reconnect residents with their waterfront and revitalize a historically industrial area. Once characterized by abandoned buildings and industrial debris, the riverfront between the MacArthur and Ambassador Bridges had long been inaccessible to the public. To address this, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy was established in 2003 to lead the redevelopment of this space. The RiverWalk currently stretches along a 3.5-mile section, with plans to expand to 5.5 miles, integrating ecological restoration, public access, and recreational opportunities. The esplanade features native landscaping, artistic elements, and amenities, including four pavilions, a custom carousel, and areas for fishing, walking, biking, and inline skating. Environmental remediation has been a crucial part of the project. In collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Great Lakes National Program Office, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy successfully cleaned up 13,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment, significantly reducing pollution and contributing to the removal of the Detroit River from the list of the most polluted sites in the Great Lakes. Furthermore, the project also includes greenways, park creation and revitalization. The RiverWalk is not just a public space; it symbolizes Detroit’s transformation from a Rust Belt city to a sustainable urban environment. It exemplifies the power of public-private partnerships in revitalizing urban areas. The RiverWalk continues to expand, with plans to connect various parks and extend to the Ambassador Bridge, further enhancing the city’s waterfront. Its success was recognized in 2021 when it was named the Best Riverwalk in America by USA Today, cementing its status as a model for urban renewal and community engagement. (Ref. 1, 2, 3, 4)

View of the Detroit RiverWalk

Smith Group

Overview

Nature-based solution

Blue infrastructure
Rivers/streams/canals/estuaries
Green areas for water management
Rain gardens
Parks and urban forests
Large urban parks or forests

Key challenges

Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
Climate change adaptation
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Green space creation and/or management
Habitat and biodiversity restoration
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
Improvements to water quality
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Creation of opportunities for recreation
Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
Inclusive governance
Effective management
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Social justice and equity
Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
Tourism support

Principal problems in Functional Urban Area (FUA)

Environmental Degradation
Biodiversity loss
Poor water quality
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

Key priorities

Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation), Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration), Social Justice and community

Focus

Creation of new green areas, Creation of large parks and urban and peri-urban forests, Maintenance and management of urban nature, Maintenance or upgrade of exisiting green spaces (e.g. parks), Creation of semi-natural blue areas, Implementation of green areas for water management (e.g. rain gardens), Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas, River rehabilitation/ restoration, Protection of riparian vegetation, Restoration of riparian vegetation, Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Remediation activities of sites with very poor environmental quality, Restoration and protection of ecosystems (including water ecosystems), Transformation of previously derelict areas, Post-industrial site regeneration, Transformation of vacant land into green spaces, Improved governance of green or blue areas, Creation of new, innovative governance and management approaches, Establishment of inclusive governance mechanisms involving local communities

Project objectives

To reconnect the community with the waterfront by re-establishing public access to the Detroit River and creating a welcoming space for residents and visitors. To revitalize underutilized land by transforming abandoned industrial sites into public spaces that enhance the city’s image, appeal and tourism To promote environmental remediation by addressing pollution in the Detroit River, cleaning up contaminated sediments , restoring and protecting riparian/coastal habitat To engage public and private partnerships by leveraging collaboration to fund, develop, and sustain the RiverWalk project. To expand recreational opportunities by providing activities like walking, biking, fishing, and cultural events to attract a diverse range of visitors. To revitalize several parks, create new ones alongside greenways by planting trees, native vegetation To help with storm water drainage and local temperatures (vegetative buffer between parking and drive lanes, rain gardens integrated within parking lot, trees and vegetation within parking islands, shade trees within parking lots) To involve the local communities in the planning process through several activities and workshops (Ref. 1 - 7, 13)

Implementation activities

The first phase of the Detroit waterfront transformation spans 3.5 miles of the east riverfront, from Joe Louis Arena to Gabriel Richard Park. Key developments include the complete transformation of Mt. Elliott Park, which reopened in June 2014, enhancements to Gabriel Richard Park, and improvements to the land around Chene Park. The final phase involved constructing public space at the former Uniroyal Tire factory site. The Dequindre Cut Greenway, a two-mile urban recreational path, opened in May 2009. Once a Grand Trunk Railroad line, this below-street-level greenway runs from Mack Avenue to Atwater Street. It is known for urban artwork and graffiti, featuring a 20-foot-wide paved path with separate pedestrian and bike lanes. The 1.2-mile Mayor Dennis W. Archer Greenway, completed in 2021, offers East Siders safe access to the riverfront from Vernor to Jefferson. In 2022, three rain gardens were designed at the Downtown Detroit Authority (DDA) property west of Riverfront Towers. The Southwest Greenway opened in May 2023, and Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park, set to open in 2025, will include tree planting in fall 2024. In 2022, 13,000 cubic yards of polluted sediment were cleaned from a nearby cove to create habitats for fish and wildlife. The Environmental Protection Agency rebuilt a portion of the seawall and also installed a soft shoreline that will facilitate habitats for fish and other aquatic life. (Ref. 1-7, 12, 13)

Climate-focused activities

Climate change adaptation:

Increase urban vegetation cover to reduce urban heat island effect
Implement sustainable urban drainage schemes to manage stormwater

Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities

Biodiversity restoration:

Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)

Main beneficiaries

Citizens or community groups
Other

Governance

Management set-up

Co-governance with government and non-government actors

Type of initiating organisation

Local government/municipality
Public sector institution
Non-government organisation/civil society
Private sector/corporate actor/company
Private foundation/trust

Participatory approaches/ community involvement

Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
Dissemination of information and education
Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)

Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project

In 2003, local leaders from the Kresge Foundation, the City of Detroit, and General Motors, led by GM executive Matt Cullen, established the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy (DRFC), a nonprofit organization to oversee the revitalization of Detroit's riverfront. The DRFC is governed by a diverse Board of Directors representing both public and private sectors within Michigan, and six committees oversee fundraising, gathering community feedback. The City of Detroit supported the initiative through land use planning, regulatory approvals, and facilitating public-private partnerships. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), via the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, managed and funded the cleanup of contaminated sediments along the river. Funding Between 2018 and 2021, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy held six major community meetings, attracting over 800 attendees. Additional outreach included information sessions, educational programs with Detroit Public Schools. (Ref. 1-4)

Project implemented in response to ...

... an EU policy or strategy? Unknown

... a national policy or strategy? Unknown

... a local policy or strategy? Yes (The East Riverfront Framework Plan (Ref. 2))

Type of enablers

NGOs/Community groups driving the implementation, Governance innovations (such as public private partnerships)

Financing

Total cost

More than €4,000,000

Source(s) of funding

Public local authority budget
Corporate investment
Private Foundation/Trust

Type of funding

Earmarked public budget
Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Donations

Non-financial contribution

Type of non-financial contribution

Provision of land
Provision of labour
Provision of expertise

Who provided the non-financial contribution?

Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)
Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
Private sector (businesses, financial institution)

Impacts and Monitoring

Environmental impacts

Climate change
Lowered local temperature
Expected lowered local temperature
Water management and blue areas
Improved water quality
Achieved improved water quality
Improved stormwater management
Expected improved stormwater management
Enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems
Achieved enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems
Green space and habitat
Increased green space area
Achieved increased green space area
Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
Achieved increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
Increased presence and recovery of wild species
Achieved increased presence and recovery of wild species

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)
More sustainable tourism
Achieved more sustainable tourism
Attraction of business and investment
Achieved attraction of business and investment
Expected attraction of business and investment

Socio-cultural impacts

Social justice and cohesion
Improved liveability
Achieved improved liveability
Increased opportunities for social interaction
Achieved increased opportunities for social interaction
Health and wellbeing
Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Achieved gain in activities for recreation and exercise

Type of reported impacts

Presence of formal monitoring system

Yes

Presence of indicators used in reporting

Yes

Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports

Yes

Availability of a web-based monitoring tool

Potential risks of implementation and trade-offs

Other

References

Hartig, J. (2019). Chapter 5 - From Cleanup of the Detroit River to Revitalization of the Waterfront. p. 27-31 Accessed on August 16, 2024, [Source link];

Riverfront Conservancy (n.d.). Detroit RiverWalk. Accessed on August 16, 2024, [Source link];

United States Environmental Protection Agency (n.d.). Detroit Riverwalk Great Lakes Legacy Act Project in the Detroit River AOC. Accessed on August 16, 2024, [Source link];

Detroit Historical Society (n.d.). Detroit International RiverWalk. Accessed on August 16, 2024, [Source link];

Aimery, J. (2023). 'Dream come true': Detroit RiverWalk now stretches east to Belle Isle. The Detroit News: Accessed on August 16, 2024, [Source link];

Council of Great Lakes Industries and the Great Lakes Commission (2018). “Assessing the Investment: The Economic Impact of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative - A Case Study of Detroit, MI”. Accessed on August 16, 2024, [Source link];

point2homes (2022). West Riverfront, Detroit, MI Demographics. Accessed on August 16, 2024, [Source link];

FOX 2 Staff (2024). Detroit Riverfront receives $35 million fund to complete projects amid embezzlement case. FOX 2 Detroit, Accessed on August 16, 2024, [Source link];

Detroit Riverfront Conservancy (2013). ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY Detroit Riverfront 2013. Accessed on August 16, 2024, [Source link];

10.

Detroit Riverfront Conservancy (2018). 2018 ANNUAL REPORT. Accessed on August 16, 2024, [Source link];

11.

Ikonomova, V. (2024). Experts review how Detroit Riverfront Conservancy could have missed alleged $40M fraud. Detroit Free Press, Accessed on August 16, 2024, [Source link];

12.

Detroit Free Press Editorial Board (2024). Amid $40 million embezzlement probe, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy has work to do | Editorial. Detroit Free Press, Accessed on August 16, 2024, [Source link];

13.

City of Detroit (2020). EAST RIVERFRONT ASSET STUDY. Accessed on October 23, 2024,;