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Parks & Greenspace Features

UIX invites urban innovators to exchange ideas in Detroit

Cities are reinventing themselves in creative new ways. Can small-scale projects have big impact? Join us Sept. 24-26 in Detroit to explore creative projects driving neighborhood transformation and trade ideas for the future.

Permaculture: Green economy takes root in Highland Park

An approach to designing a self-maintaining garden modeled after natural ecosystems, Permaculture maximizes the distribution of rainwater by aligning it with exposure to sun and wind. Dennis Archambault went digging for this story.

The Art of Neighborhood Innovation recapped

Artists skilled at community and business development were our panelists at this standing room only event at one of  MOCAD's largest galleries. Just for you, Cass Corridor Films and Walter Wasacz were there to report it all. 

Crossing Paths with Kyle Bartell

Photographer Noah Stephens goes out in search of innovation and crosses paths (more than once) with a young Detroiter on a mission to transform unused parcels into parks. Meet Kyle Bartell, who has a vision to create more public gathering spaces in places where trails are already being blazed. (Photo essay from The People of Detroit for UIX.)

Call for Ideas: Innovative ways to fund small-scale community projects?

Detroit has very active foundations and corporations that invest millions of dollars in our community. Usually these funds are directed toward larger, established civic institutions and non-profit organizations with a demonstrated record of impact and success. But what if you have a new, untested idea to address a neighborhood need? How can we create more funding opportunities for smaller-scale but potentially transformative community projects?
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Parks & Greenspace Videos

VIDEO: Matthew Naimi, Recycle Here!

Recycle Here! was formed in 2005 to address the need for recycling options in the City of Detroit. What began as a grassroots neighborhood recycling event has evolved into a city-wide, fully-funded, neighborhood recycling program. As founder Matthew Naimi says here in the video, "It's one of the most Detroit things you're ever gonna see." Video by DETROIT LIVES

VIDEO: Rebecca Willis

"A bleeding heart gives way to the consciousness that people are all interconnected and dependent upon one another in some way." This sentence is highlighted on the website for Bleeding Heart Design, founded by Rebecca Willis, and it captures the essence of Bleeding Heart's goal: to reimagine community spaces with art, design, and a sense of altruism and interconnectedness. Video by DETROIT LIVES

VIDEO: Tom Nardone

Tom Nardone, founder of the Detroit Mower Gang, doesn't really see himself as an innovator. He's just a guy who saw a need and a way to address it. While his "gang" has attracted the attention of visiting celebrities like Anthony Bourdain and Andrew Zimmern, what gives him the most satisfaction is seeing kids playing on a swingset he just mowed around. Video by DETROIT LIVES!

VIDEO: Khalil Ligon

Khalil Ligon is the project manager of the Lower Eastside Action Plan (LEAP), a grassroots community organization that seeks to address land use issues and development planning on Detroit's lower-east side. Video by DETROIT LIVES!

VIDEO: Erik Howard

Erik Howard is the co-founder of Young Nation, a non-profit organization that promotes holistic development of youth in urban settings through building relationships, community education, and passion-driven projects. See him and several other UIX innovators on Friday, April 12 starting at 5:30 p.m. at MoCAD as UIX celebrates our one-year anniversary with a special UIX+ArtXDetroit discussion on placemakingVideo by DETROIT LIVES! for Detroit Creative Corridor Center
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