> d.
Design
> d1.
NEMO x Leaf It to Me:
Coordinated Greenspaces Strategy in Little Village
8 weeks
Urban Strategy, Experience Design
In collaboration with Enzo Mignano, Matt Kish, and Odiso Obiora
Role: Research & Strategy, Storyboarding, Project Management
The proposal is designed for Little Village, an up-and-coming arts neighborhood in East Detroit, and takes into consideration the unique social and environmental challenges faced in its development.
How can we grow
an engaged
Detroit community?
Similar to other neighborhoods in the area, Little Village faces the challenges of high vacancy and low density, and as these developments take place, concerns are raised surrounding gentrification, cultural integration, and the exchange of existing communities with newcomers.
To promote the natural growth of this community, this studio project imagines ways in which we can design urban systems to create innovative and community-first experiences.
> Research Insights
While most vacant lots were overrun with invasive species due to years of neglect and non-maintenance, we saw an opportunity in the diversity of the urban greenery that is presently available on site. Greenspace maintenance is an expensive problem, and the lack thereof has helped fuel the narrative of vacancy and unwelcome in the area— so how can we switch up the narrative?
Among the trends we identified currently in the arts, we found that the situation of Little Village aligned closely to the decentralized x physical quadrant where physical spaces are expanding access to art for ownership and engagement. We compared the case studies collected in the report and imagined the assistance of AR and digital technology in enriching physical experiences.
> Prototyping
We anchored gardening as the experiential basis for our intervention and identified touchpoints needed to create this experience. In this process, we generated ideas for plant sensors, back-end maintenance dashboards, public education signage, and an AR mobile game feature.
> Design Interventions
1. Sensor Network: A digitally quiet network of sensors to provide continuous monitoring of the living environment;
2. NEMO - Maintenance Dashboard: Data visualization interface to display the real time data and delegate tasks;
3. On-site Signage: A physical interactive intervention to connect the plant data and visitors;
4. Leaf It to Me - AR Game Experience: Provide a fun and productive way for the community to get involved with maintaining their community landscapes.
1. Sensor Network
2. NEMO - Maintenance Dashboard
From our conversations with those in the landscaping and arborist professionals, we learned that they spend most of their time assessing, rather than conducting actual maintenance. With the dashboard, we hope to streamline this process and introduce tech-related skills to the field.
3. On-Site Signage
4. Leaf It to Me - AR Game Experience
Starting with beginner gardening tasks, the game teaches urban residents basic skills in gardening and reduces the barrier of entry to maintaining greenspaces. Through a system of level-ups and reward collaborations with local businesses, we encourage visitors and residents alike to gain an active stake in the wellbeing of Little Village— as well as introduce them to the plants and people around them.
> Projection
Looking at the long-term implicaitons and future applications of this strategy, we envision a potential for building climate resilience, optimizing the field of landscape maintenance, and advocating for collective land responsibility. ◆