InVESTING IN DETROIT

ARCHITECTURE THESIS

This thesis examines the systemic injustices impacting Detroit communities by exploring their causes, effects, and proposing equitable, resilient solutions. A key focus is on youth engagement as a transformative force in community development. Through fieldwork, site visits, and participation in community meetings, the research assesses neighborhood conditions and social dynamics. Workshops with youth organizations featuring discussions, interviews, and creative expression that offer reciprocal learning and highlight leadership, pride, and civic empowerment. The findings provide insight into sustainable development and the critical role of culture and young people in shaping equitable urban futures.

Thesis Book
  • Collage of various images, including newspaper clippings, maps, photos of children, and text overlays, focused on themes of Detroit, social issues, and activism.

  • A grayscale page from a publication showing a column of nine images of a street scene, with some images colorized highlighting specific areas such as a sidewalk, a building, and a fence. The page contains text discussing the neighborhood context and urban renewal in Detroit.

  • Page from a district profile showing images of Detroit, including a waterfront, houses, an outdoor market entrance, and a residential street, with demographic and economic data in charts and text.

  • Page with text about Detroit's history of bankruptcy, a timeline from 2013 to today, and four maps showing vacancy rates, wealth levels, poverty levels, and development activity across Detroit neighborhoods with color coding indicating high or low percentages and progress status.

  • Illustration of four development phases for pocket parks, showing the progression from selecting a vacant lot, maintaining and planning development, constructing recreational facilities, to constructing permanent structures and establishing an official park.

  • Page from a report with text on residents' opinions about Detroit's community development. The right side has icons representing housing, transit, economy, commons, and governance with the label 'Issues stated by Residents'.

  • A page from a report featuring text about Detroit youth engagement, with a graphic showing 90% of Detroit students are homeless, and a diagram with three interconnected circles indicating youth engagement's positive impact on community issues, such as job opportunities, environmental policies, and social inequalities.

  • Collage of photos from Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program, including children training, reading, holding a Detroit Mercy banner, donating goods, and adults and children celebrating with flags and smiles.

  • Group of children and teenagers participating in workshops at Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program, engaging in activities such as group discussions, reading, and working on projects at tables with supplies.

  • Diagram illustrating research methods for community development, including research questions, constructs, methodology, and findings, with colored circles and connecting lines.

BLACK CULTURE

This work is deeply rooted in Detroit’s Black culture, its history, creativity, and resilience. It focuses on designing spaces and systems that celebrate community stories, preserve cultural landmarks, and create opportunities for local artists, entrepreneurs, and residents to thrive. Grounded in Detroit’s legacy, it recognizes that intentional investment transforms neighborhoods when it centers the people who built them. This capstone is committed to protecting and expanding Detroit’s Black cultural heritage, ensuring it continues to inspire and empower future generations.

Book cover titled 'A Socioeconomic Analysis: Hip Hop & Regional Development' by Asia K Williams, featuring a dark image of a person's face.
Regional Development
London's History
A black-and-white cityscape of Detroit with a group of protesters in color in the foreground. The protesters hold signs supporting Black Lives Matter and are wearing masks and expressive during a protest, with some singing or shouting. The upper part of the image has a title, with the main text reading 'INVESTING IN DETROIT' and subtext indicating a presentation from a commercial corridor stand point.
Thesis
Book cover titled 'Hip Hop Architecture' with a black background, large red and white text, and an image of a tall modern building from a low angle.
Remixing the Blueprint

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CAPSTONE

My Master’s in Community Development has focused on empowering underserved neighborhoods through equitable design, housing revitalization, and cultural preservation. Rooted in my lived experience on Detroit’s East Side, my work centers community voices, supports homeownership, and blends urban planning with creative expression especially through community engagement, and storytelling. This capstone has equipped me to build systems that uplift marginalized communities while honoring their histories and shaping sustainable futures.

MORNINGSIDE CAPSTONE
Capstone Book