Creating World-Class Gathering Places for People and Wildlife along the Detroit Riverfront, Michigan, USA

Abstract

Metropolitan Detroit, Michigan, USA is the automobile capital of the world, part of the industrial heartland and Rust Belt, and a major urban area. For over two centuries, the Detroit River was perceived as a working river that supported commerce and industry. Like many other large North American cities, the Motor City made the Detroit River its back door, with businesses facing inland and away from the river. Compounding the problem, Detroit became indifferent to the water pollution that was perceived as a necessary by-product of industrial progress. By the 1960s, the Detroit River was one of the most polluted rivers in North America. Today, the cleanup and recovery of the Detroit River represent one of the most remarkable ecological recovery stories in North America with the return of bald eagles, peregrine falcons, osprey, lake sturgeon, lake whitefish, mayflies, and more. Out of this recovery has come two transformational projects-the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge and the Detroit RiverWalk-that are helping change the perception of the region from that of a Rust Belt city to one of a leader of urban sustainability that reconnects people to nature, improves quality of life, promotes sustainable redevelopment, and enhances community pride. Key lessons learned include: recruit a well-respected champion; ensure broad support from key stakeholder groups; establish core delivery team, focused on outcomes; build trust; adopt a strategic approach to community engagement, creating a connected community; evoke a sense of place; and measure and celebrate successes to sustain momentum. OPEN ACCESSSustainability 2015, 7 15074

RETRACTED: The Nexus between sustainability of business model innovation, financial knowledge, and environment: A developing economy perspective

“…The research discusses various topics that relate to the operation of businesses sustainably. A sustainable business improves the quality of life for all its stakeholders, helps protect the natural world, and positively contributes to the economy (Hartig and Wallace, 2015). In light of this definition and keeping in mind the SBM definition that was presented earlier, we are in a position to assert that sustainable businesses require an SBM.…”

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Analyzing Questions of Justice Issues in Urban Greenspace

“…Successful community engagement efforts show the need for collaboration not only among disciplines, but also between local and state governments, NGOs, schools, and community-based organizations [65]. From their successful community engagement work in Detroit, U.S., Hartig and Wallace [66] extract lessons that include the recruitment of a champion, the support of local groups, the development of a delivery team, an approach focused on outcomes, and the measurement of success. These efforts, when combined with a capacity building component can result in an enhanced sense of community and higher appreciation for the benefits of greenspace [64].…”

Rewilding the Detroit, Michigan, USA–Windsor, Ontario, Canada Metropolitan Area

“…1 riverwalk in the United States by USA Today three years in a row. Such efforts to reconnect urbanites with land and water through greenways and water trails, including showcasing rewilding, habitat rehabilitation and enhancement, ecosystem services, and conservation, are helping make nature part of daily routines [42,43]. This, in turn, will help develop a personal attachment to the particular place people call home that can help inspire a stewardship ethic [28].…”