Green Alley Research Center

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Our Alley - Off Second Ave in Midtown Detroit

This project is intended to create a model for sustainable alleys of the future for our city and region... yeah, maybe the world. One of our culture's least favorable faces can be found in our alleys. So often an alley is a visible representation of the worst of our culture...the waste, trash, concrete...no life...an urban wasteland. And yet, we long for a more respectful relationship with the earth than our alleys represent. The way we treat the earth in our alleys hurts our whole earth community. What a possibility they represent to bring new life to our alleys and make them a source of vitality and renewal to our community. What new life could the light from the sun bring forth in an alley? The people Africa imagined a different future for their alleys and they now have "alley farms" that help feed their community. A grandmother in one of the poorest, polluted areas of the world...has created thriving green oasis' in the alleys of Jakarta. Our alleys spaces have great possibilities...we need to just envision a new future and make it happen. Who knows where this may lead...all we need is one green alley...and then another.

This is the story of one alley in Detroit. It is between Canfield and Prentis off Second in the midtown section of Detroit.


Learning from Other's Thinking

  • Green Streets are covered in Christopher Alexander's - A Pattern Language. He encourages all low volume roads be paved only with stones for the wheel tracks and leave the rest green...open to the earth below. He states "There's too much hot asphalt in the world." The asphalt and concrete destroy the microclimate...they do nothing with the solar energy that falls on them, they are unpleasant to walk on, nowhere to sit, no where for children to play, the natural drainage is devastated; animals and plants are paved away.

Learning from Other's Work

After Picture of an alley in Vancouver
Alley converted into a Pedestrian Mall in Seattle
Pedestrian Mall in Miami


  • Chicago Green Alleys Description of the great work being done in Chicago on greening their alleys. The key is the award winning Chicago Green Alley Handbook.
  • Portland's Green Streets - Excellent set of goals and benefits. Also, the 2007 Portland (Maine) Green Streets Tour Map (pdf) gives wonderful examples of what can be done...see the pictures of the Eco-lock pavers. Also, look at the city council resolution it's very good.
  • Green Alleys Filter Water - short CNN story on the benefits of greening the alleys in Chicago. Shows how the alleys are playing a new role in cleaning the water before it gets to the Lake Michigan.
  • Liverpool Alley Report This little project was part of a Masters Thesis by a man named Matthew Cocks in Liverpool. I'm including it because it shows how he worked with a resistant community to make it happen, and it also took very little money. In essence, he worked with the residents to clean up and green the alley with plants. Take a look at the report.
  • Community Greens This project deals with all kinds of shared spaces, including alleyways. Like the project above, this concentrates on adding plant material for beauty. One thing this site mentions, in addition to many others I've read, is that it may be important to put up gates if you are worried about material being trashed or stolen. Just a thought. "The mission of Community Greens is to catalyze the development of shared green spaces inside residential blocks in cities across the United States. We call these green spaces community greens. We believe that the Community Greens approach presents the best opportunity to add usable green space to our cities by converting underutilized backyards and dysfunctional alleys into functional and beautiful shared green spaces that are owned, managed, and enjoyed by the people who live around them."
  • Green Alleys Contribute to Sustainable Cities - One woman from Canada writes about loving alleys and what she feels can be done to make them an important element to sustainable cities.
  • Indonesia's Green Grandma - Video of a woman from one of the poorest neighborhoods in Jakarta teaches her neighbors about recycling, composting and grow plants....and in the process has greened her alley as part of her life-long teaching on the importance of the environment.
  • Story of a Baltimore Alley and much more - here's an alley that was adopted by a women in Baltimore ...the article has a lot resources and examples around the world of greening of alleys activities.
  • Vancouver's Sustainable Streets projects...look at the Country Lane example.
  • Study of Permeable Pavements going on since 2004 at Seneca College in Ontario. Here is an overview report.

Resources

Overall

Permeable Pavements - Design

Permeable Pavements - Materials

  • Reclaimed Pavers
  • Permeable Pavers
    Typical Permeable Paver Installation
    • Paver products from Interlock - Turfstone and Uni-Eco Stone
    • GeoSystems Porous Pavement Options also a detailed manual for the installation of Geoblock an interlocking soil stabilization-type system including estimating worksheets.
    • Enviro-grid - could be the most economical solution...supports recycling ideas
    • Terra-firm's eco-grid product as a soil stabilizer system in the center between the tracks. Made from 100% recycled plastic.
    • Green Innovations porous pavement solutions with recycled plastic.
    • Invisible Structures Gravelpave2 Product - they also do a lot with storm water management...pretty smart thinking...see Rainstore2. Local contact ... Brian Francis Phone: (313) 881-1777
    • Oaks Concrete Products, 51744 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, MI 48393 - (248) 684-5004, Fax: (248) 684-2726 and Turf-slab
      • Enviro-slab $3.22 sf Turf-slab $5.95ea (size 23.6 x 16 x 3.15 D)(30 pieces)
      • Technical guys - Dave / Mike) Sales: Scott Palmer Made in Canada.
      • Talked to Mike S. at the headquarters in Ontario Canada. he stated the following:
        • Good study of permeable pavers at Senaca College in Ontario.
        • He said that keeping the silt out of the paver aggregate openings is key. Some people sweep the area annually to keep it clean.
        • Digging deep for the aggregate base is key...its the pool that holds the water while it soaks into the natural ground water.
        • key benefit is the reduction of cost in the storm sewer infrastructure.
        • There are a couple projects using there permeable products in the Detroit area. Call Mike S. in Wixom when he returns from vacation.
    • J-drain could be used as a custom way to make all pavers permeable or help at the curb.
    • Unilock - has a series of permeable pavers. One of them is Eco-loc.
    • County Materials has two pavers: Grass Pavers and H2O Pavers The H2O page had this diagram. Here's the brochure for the H2O Product.
    • They are using Terra-firm's eco-grid product as a soil stabilizer system in the center between the tracks. Made from 100% recycled plastic.

City of Detroit

  • Municipal Code Alleys are in Chapter 50 - Articles V and VI.
  • City Engineering Division responsible for construction and reconstruction of streets and alleys.
    • Called 7/9 and was told that the Specification Detail + Detail of Standards (two book series)is being printed (50 copies) and will be available by the July 18th for $25.
    • Called 7/21 asked if the books were ready...talked to Lesley Lord..not in ...call on Friday - July 25.

Waste / Recycling

  • Recyclean - Matt Naimi ...local recycling company
    • Matt suggested the following based on our meeting on 7/24:
      • Single-Stream Recycling approach
        • with a single dumpster that unsorted recyclables would be placed
        • locked
      • Trash
        • Can handle a compactor
        • Will calculate number and frequency of pickup for regular dumpster
      • Already handles the Canfield Lofts complex...they have recycling


Lighting


Vehicle Bollards

Historical-style Bollard


Sustainable Alley Design Considerations

The alley is alive...it is a living system. All great design starts from here and joins with this life, respects it and unfolds with it.

There is an important need to first consider the way the space interacts with the the earths most powerful natural systems - the water, sun, wind and land and our living relatives.

Water

Goals

  • reduce the rapid runoff by returning water to the natural water cycles (out of the human water cycles.)
  • have the water be cleaner leaving the alley than when it entered
    • Prevent toxins and oil runoff
    • Garbage
  • support natural water storage by reducing the amount of pavement and bare soil
  • snow removal?

Actions

  • Use pervious/permeable pavements that let the water return to the natural water table.
  • Harvest the water from the building's runoff
  • Use native plants that have roots that clean the water
  • Encourage the growth of microbes that can actually clean the water.

Observations

  • We went and observed the alley during a nice rain storm on July 12, 2008. Here is how water made its way to the drains and large ponding areas. We took a video of the whole alley during the rain...watch it here.
Alley Natural Rainwater Flow on July 12, 2008

Drain at west end of alley
Ponding in center of the alley


Resources

Detroit Average Monthly Precipitation (includes snowfall)

JAN 	FEB 	MAR 	APR 	MAY 	JUN 	JUL 	AUG 	SEP 	OCT 	NOV 	DEC
1.91" 	1.88" 	2.52" 	3.05" 	3.05" 	3.55" 	3.16" 	3.10" 	3.27" 	2.23" 	2.66" 	2.51"
TOTAL 32.89"

Actual 2007 Detroit Monthly Precipitation

JAN 	FEB 	MAR 	APR 	MAY 	JUN 	JUL 	AUG 	SEP 	OCT 	NOV 	DEC
3.02" 	0.82" 	3.09" 	2.68" 	2.56" 	3.10" 	2.10" 	6.61" 	1.44" 	2.00" 	1.77" 	3.48"
TOTAL 32.67"

Actual 2006 Detroit Monthly Precipitation

JAN 	FEB 	MAR 	APR 	MAY 	JUN 	JUL 	AUG 	SEP 	OCT 	NOV 	DEC
3.24" 	2.71" 	3.21" 	2.71" 	4.6" 	3.95" 	4.38" 	2.05" 	1.73" 	4.11" 	2.9" 	3.65"
TOTAL 39.24

Actual 2005 Detroit Monthly Precipitation

JAN 	FEB 	MAR 	APR 	MAY 	JUN 	JUL 	AUG 	SEP 	OCT 	NOV 	DEC
3.40" 	3.02" 	0.74"	1.66" 	1.85" 	1.95" 	5.38" 	1.33"	1.63" 	0.13" 	4.70" 	2.52" 	
TOTAL 33.58"

Actual 2004 Detroit Monthly Precipitation

JAN 	FEB 	MAR 	APR 	MAY 	JUN 	JUL 	AUG 	SEP 	OCT 	NOV 	DEC
1.43" 	0.63" 	3.29"	0.69" 	8.46" 	2.86" 	2.85" 	4.52" 	0.65" 	2.08" 	3.21" 	2.91" 	
TOTAL 28.31"

Detroit Average Monthly Snowfall

JAN 	FEB 	MAR 	APR 	MAY 	JUN 	JUL 	AUG 	SEP 	OCT 	NOV 	DEC
11.9" 	9.3" 	7.0" 	1.7" 	Trace 	0" 	0" 	0" 	0" 	0.3" 	2.7" 	11.1"


NOAA's National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

Sun

Goals

  • Eliminate "heat island" effect that affects our climate and the habitat

Actions

  • Green screen using native plants on the south sides of buildings
  • Use ground covers (natural and man made) that process the sun energy efficiently and reduce the heat build up.
  • Use trees for shade canopy...especially on the south and west sides
  • Lighter pavement color can reduce the surface temperatures by 20 - 40 degrees and air temperatures by 2 - 4 degrees.

Observations

  • July 29, 2008 @ 9 AM pictures of the sun
Alley looking east
Center of Alley
Alley looking west


  • July 24, 2008 @ noon pictures of the sun
  • The sun pattern is affected by the height of the buildings on the south side. This is why the center of the alley (near the MCBW) is much brighter during the day.
  • A video of sun patterns on the alley
Alley looking east
Alley looking west



  • August 4, 2008 @ 3 PM pictures of the sun
Alley looking east
Center of Alley
Alley looking west


Wind/Air

Goals

  • Encourage healthy air movement...prevent wind tunnels


Actions

  • Keep an "east-west" air pathway open
  • Add natural uneven surfaces

Observations

  • The alley runs east-west and has a nice breeze most of the time.
Major wind channels in the alley


Land and Our Relatives

A winged visitor

Goal

  • Reduce our waste stored in the alley and sent to incinerator
  • Allow the land to breathe
  • Give a bird, a bee, a butterfly and a worm a reason to visit the alley ... allow the essential interconnectedness of life to return
  • Reduce night light pollution and noise pollution
  • Establish a natural canopy system of interdependence

Action

  • Study the plant life...the land is bring forth life against all odds (mostly human.)
  • Study the garbage and determine the source and consider changing to no-waste purchasing habits
  • Establish a neighborhood composting center with education (lasagna garden)
  • Establish a neighborhood recycling center
  • Establish food gardens
  • Leave some of the land unpaved

Observations

  • Helen was visited by a butterfly when she walked down the alley
  • How do we meet the other human needs for the space so the space fits in the natural world and creates a life giving system for the community.
  • When I spent a day in the green garage there are many birds singing in the area. With some nesting areas they could really change the sound of the alley.
  • There are some flowers in the alley... day lilies/ No native flowers that would attract and support the insects.
  • John L. observed that there is an increase in rats in the area because several nearby abandoned buildings were torn down.

Other Human Needs

Goals

  • Builds community wellbeing...strengthens relationships with all members of the community
  • safety.... safe lighting at night, walking surface
  • accessibility...all can traverse the space safely - barrier free
  • eliminate noise pollution
  • create a sense of an inviting community space

Action

  • Use a "community-based" design approach to get input from all
  • meet proper night lighting requirements
  • Winter snow removal needs


Second, how do we reduce our impact on the eco-system?

Energy Footprint

Goal

  • Reduce the energy required to build, maintain and operate the alley and its environs


Actions

  • reuse materials...concrete, pavers
  • use natural building techniques
  • reduce the need for artificial lighting
  • use LED street lights...
  • reduce need for maintenance.
  • use local suppliers of materials
  • Support the 'enlightened" Transportation Pyramid

Observations

  • Pedestrians and bicyclist exit the Blackstone onto the alley.
    Sustainable 21st Century Transportation Pyramid


No Waste

Goal

  • No materials leave the site
  • Reuse and recycle materials
  • reduce waste of new materials

Actions

  • Reuse the concrete that is removed as crushed aggregate
  • Soil?
  • create build dimensions for new materials that reduce cutting + waste


Utilities

  • Lighting - City of Detroit?
  • Electrical - DTE
  • Water - DPS
  • Telephone -
  • Storm Sewer - DPS



Benefit Ideas

  • "In making the case for porous pavement, Bruce Ferguson provides compelling statistics on the severity of the problem of impervious surface in urban areas. In typical commercial development, for example, the overall impervious area averages 85%, with two-thirds of that from pavement and one-third from roofs. Porous pavement, where it can be implemented, provides such benefits as cleaner surface water (by allowing stormwater to be treated where it infiltrates the ground instead of carrying pollutants into surface waters), cooler cities, quieter cities, safer driving, and better tree survival rates. Porous Pavements clearly articulates these benefits and others. "


Design Studio

This is the area that the design concepts for the alley can be worked out.

Overall Concept

  • Dan has a vision of a Cass Farms - Block 99 community. It would bounded by Cass - Prentis - Canfield and Second Ave. It is a powerful vision for imagining what is possible if we worked together.
  • Zac created a wonderful "green" vision for the block in this sketch below.

S Green Block Vision.jpg


Potential Traffic Pattern/Use

Potential Traffic Flow Pattern and Restrictions


  • This idea has a pedestrian only area from Second Ave to the east end of the Motor City Brewing Works. This would allow this entire area to be safe with historic brick pathways through lush greenery. It is similar to the Community Greens or Courtyards in the examples of other city's above.
  • The abutting property owners would own to the center of the road and be able to landscape in ways that improve the attractiveness of their properties. The large planting areas then would allow the area to control and contain its own water. The costs would be much less than the vehicle paving would be. Each owner could think of there needs. This is allowed with a 2/3's vote of the abutting property owners.

Alley Surface

Ideas

Design

Green Alley - Overall Plan View
Green Alley Detail - Plan View
Green Alley Detail - Elevation View


Typical Cross Section Design

IPCI Designers Guide (see link below)
Morton Arboretum



Native Plants

Butterfly Weed

Ideas

  • Right Plant - Right Place: sun exposure, moisture, scale, season, wildlife habitat role
  • Increase the bio-diverity...the greater the number of species the greater the sustainability.
  • We are restoring the habitat...and ourselves.
  • Possible Native Plants (for others look in Native Plant Nursery and Michigan Native Plant List:
    • Wild flowers: Cone flowers, coreopsis, black-eyed susan, bee balm, yarrow, little and big blue stem, golden alexanders, butterfly weed, asters
    • Rain Garden: Turtlehead, spiderwort, joe pye weed, common milkweed, swamp milkweed, golden rod, indian hemp, blue iris
    • Vine: Virginia Creeper, Virgin's Bower
    • Shrub: Serviceberry, redtwig dogwood, nannyberry, viburnum,
    • Small trees: Serviceberry, staghorn sumac, swamp birch, buttonwood


Design

Potential Design Process

Step #1 - Build community coalition

  • neighbors
  • businesses
  • UCCA
  • Government
    • City of Detroit
  • Potential Funders
  • Other NGO's
    • Greening of Detroit

Step #2 - Build Awareness and Understanding of Existing Alley system (As-Is)

  • Develop a base-line dimensioned map of the area..
  • Become aware of how the natural elements are present and are interacting in the alley
    • Water - Where does the water flow when it rains? How much water? What are it's sources? Where are the dry areas? Where are the wet areas where the water stands?
    • Sun - trace the light throughout the day; When and where is it light? When does it get dark?
    • Wind - How does the air move?
    • Land and Our relatives - What kind of soil? Is there any life? What plants are there now? Where do they grow naturally? What animals
  • Become aware of the current built environment
    • Lighting - what street lights currently exist? Location...brightness.
    • Location and height of current buildings
  • Document current human activity
    • motor vehicles - volumes, types (cars, trucks), destinations
    • trash - number and type of disposal containers, number of pickups
    • lighting - street lights and types, brightness
    • entrance doors
    • any bicycle or pedestrian traffic?
  • Understand city ordinance requirements


Step #3 - Take Mindful Action (To Be)

  • Find Resources
    • Landscape architect
    • native plant person
    • pavement engineer
    • natural building expert
    • local suppliers of the materials
  • Community-minded requirements
    • Meet informally to gauge neighborhood interest and priorities
    • Hold a design charette to get requirements from all businesses and residents
  • Eco-minded design
    • Develop small footprint alternatives to meet requirements and yet be sustainable
    • bring it together in an overall design and cost estimate
    • develop a phased approach for the
  • Community-minded Design
    • Have the design reviewed by all neighbors and city together
    • Develop ways for the alley-commons to be managed
      • what could the
      • Space sharing
      • maintenance plan
      • Cost sharing (initial and ongoing)
      • Setup organization for the alleys long-term care
      • develop ways for the community to be involved with the building of the new alley
  • City Approval of Green Alley Design
    • Present to City Council