neighborhoods: by design. neighborhoods:by design identity team anirban adhya, faculty, ltu...

Neighborhoods: By Design


identity

Team

Anirban Adhya, Faculty, LTUJonathan Arafat, LTUDan Carr, UDMMaryanne DeThomasis, LTULuke Finney, UDMJ Michael Kirk, AIAPinky McDuell, UDMMark Nikita, AIA

Case Study: Ford Woods Neighborhood, Dearborn


identity

IDENTITY:

A neighborhood’s identity is a “sense of

place” perceived at a number of different

levels:

Through the cultures/traditions, inter-actions, pride and cooperation of its residents.

In a physical sense, through street layout, physical size/appearance of buildings, and visual interaction of the buildings with open space.

Through its celebration of historical assets and landmarks.

By welcoming diversity of new influences, cultures and their stylistic expressions.

ENVIRONMENT

ACTION MEANING

Physical settings

Architecture

Values

Perceptions

Interactions

Processes


identity

Ideal neighborhood elements:

Gateways, edges, approaches clearly communicating its essence.

Ease of pedestrian/vehicle access

Welcoming and walkable streetscapes

Integration of land use variety: retail, residential, office, etc., providing a vibrant blend of activities, cultural influences, and socioeconomic groups.

Open space/ greenway preservation as counter-point to the built environment; promoting relaxation recreation & slowing pace of modern life.

Local heritage- landmarks & natural resources.

Celebrate diversity: flexible planning; promote cultural immigration & respect local values.

Juxtapose density variety for vibrancy: dense mixed-use edges/cores, medium/low density residential, & punctuating open spaces.


identity


identity

FORD ROAD

WARREN

GR

EEN

FIE

LD

CH

AS

E

FORD WOODSPARK

WILLIAM FORDELEMENTARY SCHOOL

MAPLESELEMENTARY

SCHOOL

Existing Conditions Diverse Population

• Lebanese• Italian-Polish

Lack of Flexibility• Housing choice• Housing expansion• New architecture

Conflicting Developments• Old vs. new• Residential vs.

commercial Fragmented Public

Realm• Disconnected

facilities• High traffic – lack of

pedestrian quality• Lack of shared spaces


identity

Vision Celebrate Diversity

• Housing choices• Expansion options• Outdoor spaces

Flexible Density• Consolidate parking• Continuous

commercial strips Develop Typologies

• Residential• Commercial• Open space

Public Realm• Integrated facilities• Connections• Shared everyday

spacesPublic facilities

Mixed use buffer

Future mixed usegateway

Pocket park

Keyneighborhood paths

Side streetswith parking

Major arterial roads


identity Greenfield-Warren Mixed-Use Buffer


identity Ford Woods Park Townhouses


identity Ford Woods Neighborhood Mixed-Use Buffers 2025


identity

Chase

Greenfield/Warren


identity

Appropriate Scale of Infill Housing


identity

Contextual Design Details from Existing Homes


identity

Achieve Style Statement with Contextual Design


identity

Contextual Design Diminishes Scale Disparity


identity

Covered Porch Amenities give Character


identity

Soften Barriers in Commercial Districts


identity

Increase Density & Provide Canopied Walkways


identity

Calm Traffic, Widen Walks & Add Density


identityFord Woods Neighborhood, Dearborn

neighborhoods: by design. neighborhoods:by design identity team anirban adhya, faculty, ltu...

Documents