Woodbridge Neighborhood Development and Design Guidelines Detroit, MI
Services Provided
Urban Design
Design Guidelines
Community Engagement
People Involved
Andy Knight
Luis Calvo
Embracing the history, character, and authenticity of a historic urban neighborhood
MKSK led an integrated team of planners, architects, urban designers, and market advisors to prepare neighborhood design guidelines and development standards that will influence future development and improvements for Detroit’s Woodbridge neighborhood. Working closely with the Woodbridge Neighborhood Development Corporation and residents, the team developed a series of neighborhood scaled context diagrams that document and investigate the existing conditions of infrastructure and land use that compose this historic urban neighborhood in Detroit. The project provided future guidance and strategies for overall neighborhood improvements and development and included specific case studies for two vacant properties embedded within the neighborhood.
Community engagement included a series of interactive workshops neighborhood events and activities like “Build Your Own Development”, a project website, online surveys, and neighborhood newsletters.
The project explored potential development scenarios for two vacant school sites (the former Hancock School and Wilbur Wright School/Detroit School of the Arts) and tested them with neighborhood residents and stakeholders to solicit feedback. Each scenario responds to building density and architectural massing and integrates community open space and the public realm including recreation areas, material selection and aesthetics, pedestrian and bicycle circulation, and parking. The vision for the Woodbridge Neighborhood Development and Design Guidelines embraces the history, character, and authenticity of Woodbridge while equipping residents with the tools to be proactive about what type of development they would like to see in their neighborhood.
Detroit is a UNESCO City of Design designated city, and in September of 2020 the well-received Woodbridge Neighborhood Development and Design Guidelines were showcased at the Detroit Month of Design which is stewarded by Design Core Detroit.
