Taking Stock of Neighborhoods:
Transforming Neighborhood Problem-Solving in Detroit
The system for addressing persistent neighborhood problems in the City of Detroit is broken. "Transforming Neighborhood Problem-Solving in Detroit" brings together community development groups, residents and Wayne State University in a new information-driven, technology-enabled collaborative process that empowers neighborhood residents to identify and prioritize persistent neighborhood problems, develop innovative solutions, and monitor progress toward remediation of problems. This new model features youth involvement (community mapping), capacity building with neighborhood city halls, data-driven problem tracking, and increased accountability through systematic follow-up and evaluation. The goal of our project is to achieve systemic change in how government and community work together, smarter, and faster to address persistent neighborhood problems that affect Detroiter's quality of life.
Wayne State University's Center for Urban Studies is working with Detroit Community Initiative to build capacity in several Detroit-area community development corporations (CDCs). The project aims to develop skills with CDCs to use geographic information systems and mobile mapping technologies. This initiative features youth involvement, technology capacity building, data-driven problem analysis and tracking, and increased government accountability through systematic follow-up and evaluation. The goal of our project is to achieve systemic change in how government and community work together, smarter, and faster to address persistent neighborhood problems that affect Detroiter's quality of life.
Capacity Building
Several community projects bring together neighborhood groups and Wayne State University's Center for Urban Studies' Urban Safety Program in a new information-driven, technology-enabled process that empowers residents to identify and prioritize persistent neighborhood problems, develop innovative solutions, and monitor progress toward remediation of problems. This new model features youth involvement (community mapping), technology capacity building, data-driven problem analysis and tracking, and increased accountability through systematic follow-up and evaluation. The goal of our project is to achieve systemic change in how government and community work together, smarter, and faster to address persistent neighborhood problems that affect Detroiter's quality of life.
Using laptops and Google Earth, students and volunteers map locations and characteristics of dangerous properties, take photographs, and research property ownership. They also set priorities and identify the most problematic locations in neighborhoods. Properties with the most egregious violations, known as “The Dirty Dozen”, offer a compelling picture of hazards residents face daily. This information is presented to community leaders and city officials who attempt to correct dangerous situations.
