"The Heart of Detroit" postcard (Date Issued: Aprox. 1930 - 1945) From: The Tichnor Brothers Collection. Image courtesy of Boston Public Library, Print Department

In 2015, Detroit was announced as a UNESCO City of Design honoree, the first American city to receive the recognition. Since then, Detroit has made efforts to revitalize and revamp its once declining fortunes. A city with a complicated history of trying to reposition its vibrant industrial past into a thriving future, the current push to modernize Detroit has taken time, if nothing else. However, collaborative efforts between local government, planners, designers, and the community at large has helped turn the once "forgotten city" into "the city that could." 

To learn more about Detroit's progress, Archinect chats with Executive Director Olga Stella of Design Core Detroit. A formidable force for change within the city, Stella helped initiate the Detroit City of Design Competition that calls for architects and designers to create solutions to help transform Detroit neighborhoods for the better. Together with Stella, we discuss the role public policy plays in architecture, the importance of inclusive design, and how a design competition can create change for the city.

Design Core Detroit formed in 2010 in collaboration with the College for Creative Studies and Business Leaders for Michigan. Their efforts focus on the economic development of the city through design-driven business initiatives. With the launch of the first edition of the Detroit City of Design Competition, architects and designers were tasked with developing prototype solutions for Detroit's neighborhoods, while also emphasizing safety and walkability through their designs. 

What initially motivated you to pursue a career in economic development and public policy? 

From an early age, I've had a strong interest in social justice and have believed that creating more economic opportunities in underserved communities is an important strategy for achieving a more just society. I pursued a masters degree in public policy to develop the skills needed to create social and systems change.

How have you seen the city of Detroit change over the years? 

I've lived and worked in the city of Detroit for 20 years. So much development has taken place in recent years that the downtown has become more lively and busy well into the evenings and weekends year-round. One of the most important changes has been the investment in beautiful, welcoming public spaces, and the gradual shift to a more pedestrian-oriented experience. Over the last ten years, there has been a huge investment in entrepreneurship, also. You can see it in the many new shops, restaurants, and other businesses that are popping up all over the city. While there is still a lot of work to be done throughout the city, the city government has invested in street lighting, parks, and new neighborhood plans. The overall feeling of the city is more optimistic. 

Do you think there is a gap between public policy and architecture? If so how can architects better remedy this gap? 

The policy debate in cities is often focused around equitable development and inclusive growth, but the public discussion of architecture tends to veer towards aesthetics, as opposed to the role that design can play in driving equitable outcomes. Architects can help close this gap by focusing less on the buildings or physical places they are designing, and more on the process of design. It's through inclusive processes that we can achieve inclusive policy outcomes.   

Are there any architecture firms in Detroit that have stood out to you in terms of designing with equitable development and inclusive growth?

While there are a lot of architects who have an expertise in this area, it's hard to call out a specific firm because the projects themselves are driven by city government and developers. The timeframes for development are often driven by those entities, not the architects. However, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy's West Riverfront and the Midtown Cultural Connections design competitions are great examples of projects that started with equity and inclusion in mind. Several Detroit firms, including Smith Group, Rossetti Hamilton Anderson, Gensler, Laavu, and studio(Ci) LLC, have joined on as Detroit City of Design partners to help further develop the practice of inclusive design in Detroit. 

With competitions like Detroit City of Design Competition, what excites you the most? 

I'm excited to see the winning prototypes installed this September in Beacon Park, and then next year in their neighborhood locations. Once they've experienced the prototypes themselves, designers, residents, and policymakers will be able to engage in a discussion about how to improve public space in order to increase safety and mobility. It's through that discussion that more people will recognize for themselves how to drive positive change in Detroit's neighborhoods 

What can the rest of U.S. learn from the city of Detroit and the initiatives the community, local government, and local businesses usher in? 

The rest of the U.S. can learn from Detroit how inclusive design processes and outcomes can lead to increased quality of life and economic opportunities for all. Over 50 Detroit organizations spanning government, community, academia and business are developing and testing different approaches, for example, while also learning and sharing with each other. 

What do you hope to see for the city in the next 5 years?

I hope to see more investment take place in traditional neighborhoods outside of the downtown, but in a way that upholds the local flavor of those neighborhoods and benefits Detroit residents and businesses. If we're intentional about how this happens, Detroit can become an example of a growing city that integrates newcomers into its fabric, as opposed to displacing long-time residents. 

If we're intentional about how this happens, Detroit can become an example of a growing city that integrates newcomers into its fabric, as opposed to displacing long-time residents. 

There is plenty of talk in the media about creating progressive cities that rely on technological solutions, like AI and automation. From your experience, what are your thoughts on "smart" cities?

I would ask the same question about smart city technology we are asking about other efforts to improve cities: "Who is it for?" If smart city technology is being used to help all residents to more fully, independently, and successfully participate in their city, then I think it has an important role. But if the application really only supports services for a privileged few, I'm not sure it's advancing the public good in an equitable way. I think we also have to be mindful of how this smart city tech is designed, especially as we are seeing more and more coverage of bias in facial recognition and other technologies. While unintentional, this kind of biased technology can result from design processes that do not take into consideration the full spectrum of human difference.

Do you have a favorite building in Detroit?

That's a hard call. I love Detroit's mid-century heritage, and lived for a long time in 1300 Lafayette East, it was like living in the clouds, and I loved the views of Lafayette Park. I've always had a special affinity for the Guardian Building. Before the building was open to the public, I remember sneaking in to the lobby to catch a peak at the magnificent vaulted ceilings. I was lucky enough to work in the building for almost 10 years and was continuously inspired by its beautiful interiors. I love its beautiful red exterior, with all its terra cotta details. 

But to be truly thriving, a city must have a culture that respects and uplifts all of its residents. 

It's been about four years since Detroit was announced a UNESCO City of Design. How has the city changed since then? Have initiatives for inclusive design increased since the designation?

A movement around the role of design has been building since Detroit was named a UNESCO City of Design. Throughout 2017, over 1000 people worked with Design Core Detroit to develop the Detroit City of Design Action Plan. In 2018, over 50 organizations joined with Design Core to advance that plan through their projects. Our partners reported that their projects engaged 70,000 people in 2018. We continue to see that momentum build, with a record amount of interest from businesses and organizations participating in the 2019 Detroit Month of Design schedule. While unrelated to the designation, it has been really great to have the City of Detroit Planing Department re-emerge as a public sector voice advocating the value of design. That has been an important part to the change that is happening in the city. You can see a list of our City of Design partners here and download the 2019 Monitoring Report, which has case examples and data from our partners' work in 2018. 

From your own experience, what do you think are the ingredients to a thriving city?   

A city thrives when its people thrive. A healthy, resilient economic base and well-functioning city systems are essential to offering opportunities to everyone in the community. But to be truly thriving, a city must have a culture that respects and uplifts all of its residents.