re:define_re:develop_re:invent re: Detroit

Danielle Romano

Danielle RomanoNew York Institute of Technology

A thesis proposal forDetroit, Mi.

Introduction----------------------Thesis Abstract

Chapter 1-------------------------------Research

Chapter 2-------------------------Site Selection

Chapter 3-------------------Project Program

Chapter 4-------------------Form Generation

Chapter 5----------Project Advertisements

When we think of Detroit, Michigan, we think of the rich his-tory that made this city fabulous. We think of paved roads, au-tomobiles, assembly lines and Motown. When we describe the living conditions of Detroit, we talk about the poor economy, the out of work residents, the number of foreclosures, and the vacant city it is becoming. Everyone thinks of the bad and how much worse it will get. When people talk about the good things they discuss outdated events and places from their for-mer utopian city that no longer exists. People do not realize what Detroit still has to offer to its residents, to its neighbors, and to the world.

The city of Detroit is in a strategic location. The city sits on the edge of the Detroit River, which is a strait between two of the Great Lakes. On the other side of the river is Windsor, a Canadian city that has also felt the impacts of the failed au-tomobile industry on their own economy. Detroit and Wind-sor are connected through not only their geography but also through their industry. They would import and export cars and car parts and then distribute them throughout their coun-tries. Detroit and Windsor are currently connected by the Am-bassador Bridge which serves as the connection for the major-ity of Canadian/United States imports and exports. This link serves as the master trade route between the United States and Canada. This link has been used for many years and on average over three hundred million dollars worth of goods are trans-ported over this bridge per day.

Abstract

If we embrace the connection between these two neighbors, we can strengthen both cities and advance them in ways peo-ple have not imagined. In order to build the strong connec-tion between these two cities, we must develop a strategy and program that benefits both sides of the river. The strategy has the potential to generate a new reputation for these cities. It could create growth by the development of new industries and expand tourism. Detroit will become an import spot on the map and a stop for traders and travelers to stop in instead of just passing through. Detroit’s future will succeed alongside of Windsor’s starting success.

Windsor currently has a small zone dedicated to tax free shop-ping where Canadians and tourists can come and shop. Right now only people who are in driving distance of the shopping area visit. People from all over the two countries shop in spe-cial areas like this because of the great prices. By expanding this project with entertaining attractions and places to stay people will stay in these cities longer than a few hours. Some may stay for days and create a vacation out of it.

Chapter 1Research

North American Trade Routes

Michigan Area

Detroit, Mi.

Chapter 2Site Selection

Did you know...

The Windsor-Detroit border is the busiest international crossing in North America

Detroit, MiU.S.A.

Windsor, CA

The SiteApprox 821,000 sq ft

The site is in a key location between the Ambassador Bridge, the tunnel to Windsor, CA and a railway station. This site is current-ly an industrial wasteland where there are very few function-ing businesses. Many buildings in this area went out of business within the past 5-10 years and are currently vacant.

United States

Am

bass

ado

r Br

idg

e

Canada

What crosses the Ambassador Bridge each day?

Why would tourism be successful in Detroit?

On average...

$323 million worth of goods, 10,000 trucks and 4,000 cars

Because...

People travel great distances for duty free shopping and

for activities that are illegal in their home areas

Existing Site Conditions

Chapter 3Program Development

Tourism--------------------------------Customs--------------------- Transportation----------------Duty-Free Shopping---------------------------------Hostels----------------------------------Casino

Medical Facility (Non-traditional)

---------------------Research Center-------------------Treatment Center---------------------------Cloning Lab-------------------------Stem Cell Lab

Customs

MedicalFacilities

Transportation Hub

Casino &Shopping

Hostels

Program

Medical research & treatment

Tourismreinventing the water front

Transportation Hub reasons to stop and stay in Detroit

Temporary HousingTruckers, merchants, and tourists

Trade Space international relations, customs, tax

free shopping

GLOBALDETORIT IGNORE THE RULES...

Re:Define Connections

Re:Invent Laws

Re:Develop Your City

...and just have fun

Program Diagrams

Hostel/Hotel

Medical Care

Center

TransHub

Garden

HerbalScience

Stem CellResearch

CloaningFacility

Shopping

Casino

Customs

From Bridge-Tourist ProgFrom Bridge-Medical ProgFrom People Mover-Tourist ProgFrom People Mover-Medical Prog

Existing site

Extension of Detroit People Mover

Supporting Program for Tourists

Hostel/HotelTrans

Hub Shopping

Casino

Customs

Existing site

Extension of Detroit People Mover

Care

Garden

HerbalSci.

StemCellCloan

Chapter 4Form Generation

Research

Housing

Entertainment

Priv

ate

illeg

al

Publ

ic

Lega

l

Hostels

Program serves as filter horizontally on site at the ground level and veritically through the building

Program Filter Strategy

Entertainment

Internal Landscape

Private Shops

Public Shops

Hostels

Treatment

Zone 1- Level 1A small footprint on the ground leaves the existing fabric of the city uninterupted

3

2

1

Zone 1- Level 3Connection to the Detroit People

Mover & extending connections to the downtown

3

2

1

Zone 2- Level 7

3

2

1

Zone 3- Level 12

Chapter 5Project Advertisements

Next Stop: Fun City

Detroit’s Green Light District

Detroit’s Green Light District

Re (invent) Detroit

The possibilities are endless