The Placemaking Round-Up
A biweekly newsletter with public space news, resources, and opportunities.
The Biweekly Bazaar
A curated dispatch on all things public markets plus the latest announcements from the Market Cities Program.
A biweekly newsletter with public space news, resources, and opportunities.
A curated dispatch on all things public markets plus the latest announcements from the Market Cities Program.
Please note that these Hall of Shame nominations were written in a moment in time (most over a decade ago) and likely have since changed or even been transformed. If the above entry is now great, or still not so great, go ahead and comment below on how it has evolved or nominate it as a great place.
In Southwest Detroit, a youth artist collective called Young Nation, along with The Detroit Collaborative Design Center, spearheaded a project to transform derelict alleyways into beautiful social spaces. Together they transformed two vacant lots and a detached garage in their neighborhood into a vibrant public place. Today, the garage doors are canvases for art work, the abandoned lots serve as gathering spaces for kids to play after school, and the garage itself is a clubhouse/studio space for youth. At this new hub, the group also hosted the inaugural Detroit Design Festival’s art battle, and the project has since been expanded to include a variety of street art initiatives.
Despite having limited resources and minimal investment, the Alley Project succeeded in building community engagement, strengthening a sense of ownership pride in the area, and bringing life to a previously overlooked space.
Photo credits, from left: The Alley Project, The Alley Project via Facebook, The Alley Project, The Alley Project via Facebook, The Alley Project via Facebook, The Alley Project via Facebook
Follow They Alley Project
Website: youngnation.us
Facebook: facebook.com/tapgallery
Twitter: @youngnationdet
*Please note that these Hall of Shame nominations were written in a moment in time (most over a decade ago) and likely have since changed or even been transformed. If the above entry is now great, or still not so great, go ahead and comment below on how it has evolved or nominate it as a great place.
