Challenging conventional paradigms of urban renewal, Detroit Cultivator is a comprehensive plan developed over five years in Detroit's historic North End. Conceived to transform a six-acre urban farm into a vibrant civic commons, the project integrates food production, cultural activities, and civic assets with the goal of reinforcing the community's social and economic networks. Initially an experimental urban prototype centered on cultural programming, it has evolved into Detroit's first and to date only community land trust, dedicated to equitable regeneration.
Merging agricultural production, cultural endeavors, business incubation, and ecological stewardship to nurture a sustainable and inclusive urban environment, Detroit Cultivator offers a holistic approach to urban development, addressing social fragmentation, economic disparity, and environmental sustainability in equal measure. In its strategic framework, the project not only works to ensure access to nutritious food and the development of affordable housing, it seeks to empower local residents by providing opportunities to acquire the skills necessary towards the collective self-management of the built environment.
2016-2022
North End Detroit
Scale:
6 acres
Client:
Oakland Avenue Urban Farm
Stakeholders:
North End Christian CDC, Fellow Citizen, North End Community
Funding Grants:
Kresge KIP: D, Red’s Jazz Shoeshine, Erb Family Foundation, OUAF:
Green Stormwater Infrastructure Demonstration Garden, Knight Foundation. Detroit Cultivator Mediatheque
Principals:
Anya Sirota, Jean Louis Farges
Consultants:
Detroit Justice Center, Ross School of Business
Publications:
Water Management for a Productive Landscape
Water Booklet Detroit