As Detroit recovers from a heavy setback, the strong do-it-yourself culture has inspired three architecture students from the Netherlands to come up with new ideas for sustainable building together with the community. They said they believe "that strong collaborations are the key to making Detroit a model of a sustainable city."
As a result, Bob Hendrikx, Ronen Dan and Dominik Lukkes established an urban initiative called The Motown Movement. They stopped their studies to commit themselves to society. Their goal is fight climate change by making sustainable technology accessible for everyone. Their plan is to design and share methods for transforming worn-down houses into self-sufficient homes by means of affordable, sustainable and innovative techniques. By doing so they aim to inspire other homeowners to do the same in partnership with Midtown Detroit Inc., Focus:HOPE, The Greening of Detroit, EcoWorks, Glazer Elementary School, Lawrence Technological University, and the University of Technology in Delft. This will create a platform – which consists of an online website and a publicly accessible training center – directly connecting research, education and communities.
The first training center or demonstration home will be at 1995 Ford St. in Detroit. It will consist of three components: a practical showcase, an urban farm or school garden, and a community resource center.
Detroit's tireless dedication to rebuild the city in a pragmatic and inclusive way hasn't gone unnoticed. It's what has inspired these young architecture students and others around the world. Community support for this project will contribute to the revitalization and help Detroit set an example to the world with a pioneering approach on resolving inequality and climate change at the same time. For more information or to donate to The Motown Movement visit the organization's website.
