Estella Larsen
Research Mentor(s): Madhavi Reddy
Mentor Department: Community Development Advocates of Detroit
Authors: Estella Larsen, Madhavi Reddy, Ruth Johnson
Session: Session 3 (11:00am – 11:50am)
Presentation Type: Poster 118
Abstract
In 2020, the City of Detroit established the Community Outreach Ordinance to solve their lack of community engagement regarding City-Wide and Neighborhood Project proposals. The Community Development Advocates of Detroit, commonly known as CDAD, work to advocate for public policies and resources that will enhance the efforts of their 150 Detroit member groups and organizations engaged in physical development, land use planning, community organizing, and other activities that help revitalize Detroit and stabilize the lives of Detroiters. This CDAD research project seeks to understand what aspects of the Community Outreach Ordinance have benefited Detroiters by increasing community engagement and transparency and what aspects need to be updated. Members were surveyed about their knowledge of the ordinance, receptiveness to City engagement, complaints, and suggestions for improvement. Although survey results have not yet been analyzed, they are expected to conclude that residents lack comprehensive knowledge regarding the Detroit Community Outreach Ordinance and will suggest increased public outreach to increase government transparency. Similar promising cities were investigated to gain insight into other city community engagement ordinances and strategies. New York City’s use of a Public Advocate that advocates for the wants and desires of residents in City decision-making offered an exciting insight into what Detroit could implement. Albion, Michigan, completes a yearly report to inform the public of their progress in completing resident-determined goals, which could also aid Detroit in ensuring resident benefits and transparency in projects. These findings will be written in a report that CDAD will share with the City of Detroit to encourage the City to update the Community Outreach Ordinance to provide the most effective community engagement strategies.
