TITLE:
Unearthing Elements of Successful Park Master Planning: A Case Study of Belle Isle Park, Detroit, Michigan
AUTHORS:
Hanbing Liang, Pat Crawford
KEYWORDS:
Urban Planning, Park Master Planning, Landscape Architecture
JOURNAL NAME:
Current Urban Studies,
Vol.6 No.1,
March
9,
2018
ABSTRACT: Does a well-designed master plan guarantee the future of a park? The answer
to this question is not certain, which leads to asking what other factors contribute
to the success or failure of master planning? Having a blueprint to
guide the development of a park, often called a master plan, is commonly accepted
as integral to park development. Belle Isle Park is the largest public
park in Detroit. Since its establishment in 1880, the park has gone through
dramatic social and economic changes, along with the City of Detroit. This
case study takes Belle Isle’s unique history to identify possible factors that are
significant to park development and success or failure of master planning.
Despite the four master plans that were created for Belle Isle (by Frederick
Law Olmsted, Dan Kiley and other design firms), the master plans did not
significantly influence the actual growth of the park. Through this case study,
four major factors, beyond good design, were identified that need to be taken
into consideration throughout the entire process. These factors include: 1) permeability of location, access and spillover; 2) concordance of purpose, interests
and decisions; 3) milieu of influencers, ideologies and consequences;
and 4) connectedness of engagement, support and pride.