News:
May 15th, 2010:
We are happy to announce the torch for this project has been picked up by the good people at Sustainable Detroit.
Click here to view and help create the new Open Metro Detroit Green Map
History:
The first Detroit Green Map team included: Deanne Bednar, Nick Kotari, Chris Pomodoro, Nicole Stephan, Greg Vendena and Vibeke S. Vendena.
On December 20th, 2004 we launched our first online interactive Detroit Green Map v1.0.
With great effort and additional grant funding we updated the map on January 15th, 2006 with more green sites and launched v1.1 as seen here.
This map was one of the first online maps to incorporate animated pan and zoom, which when taken to the extreme, allowed us to connect to other green maps world wide and have a little inter-galactic fun.
If
you find this work exciting or if you have any suggestions for green
sites, please support the new Open Metro Detroit Green Map and team at Sustainable Detroit.
What is a GREEN MAP?
Green Maps are locally created maps that chart the natural and cultural
environment. Using adaptable tools and a shared visual language of
Green Map Icons to highlight green living resources, Green Maps
cultivate citizen participation and community sustainability.
The Green Map System is a global eco-cultural movement, energized by local knowledge, action and responsibility.
Why a GREEN MAP?
The issues
of ecological and social sustainability are complex and interconnected
(as is all of life). The ecological and social fabric of Detroit is in
great need of restoration: positive options and hope need to be
encouraged. In Detroit, as elsewhere, there is a general lack of
knowledge as to what things actually contribute to sustainability, and
although positive ecological and cultural resources abound, many people
are often not aware of them. We believe that the Green Mapping process
is a powerful way to make visible -- and more accessible -- the many
and diverse components of sustainability that are already present in
our city. The Green Map System with its 150 Icons has won many awards*
for its artistic and innovative use of communication medias, and its
capacity to address and impact ecological sustainability and enrich the
wider community. (*Awards include the *President’s Council on
Sustainable Development “National Award for Sustainability –
Telecommunication and New Communication Tools”, a
d the United Nations Centre for Human Settlement “Global Best Practices
100 List”. Learn more at www.greenmap.org .)
Why a DETROIT GREEN MAP?
We are
beginning with a focus on Detroit because of the history of degradation
and disempowerment that has taken place here over time. Many factors
affect the health of Detroiters and their environment. The Industrial
Revolution and urban flight have left Brownfields and toxic waste
throughout the city, and poor neighborhoods have taken the biggest
burden of the ecological disadvantage. In the mid 90’s there were 2500
Brownfields in the city. Tests done in 2002-3 by co-lab and other
organizations found many “Hotspots” in both east and west side
neighborhoods where toxic lead contamination was 1000 to 3000 Parts Per
Million. These high levels, which exceed the EPA safety limit of 400
PPM, can cause brain damage in children age 0-6 years. In addition to
this kind of stress, Detroiters are currently the “most overweight”
individuals in the country based on “relevant environmental
determinants affecting fitness, obesity and health” (American Obesity
Association 2004 statistics). For these and many other reasons, there
is great need for knowledge about healthy living: how to find non-toxic
products, garden organically, conserve energy (and money) in the home,
join with others, and advocate for the environment. There is a great
need for a positive vision that can inspire active enjoyment of the
out-of-doors and beautification of neighborhoods. To address these and
other concerns, The Detroit Green Map will provide a motivating format
which will help connect people with Remediation Sites throughout the
city, give links to existing pollution data, as well as indicate
positive opportunities such as parks, bike paths, local “green
businesses” and more.
The DETROIT GREEN MAP Coordination Team
The coordination team was comprised of dedicated individuals with
expertise in design, architecture, environment, community-building and
education who have been actively working together on the Detroit Green
Map Project since July, 2003. The team grew out of the Adamah Project /
Sustainable Detroit, and has received funding from the State of
Michigan Energy Office (a $6000 Community Energy Grant) to map Green
Building Resources in the Detroit Area, as well as other donations. Our
website (www.detroitgreenmap.org) includes many of the activities &
accomplishments the team has made to date. As of 2010, Sustainable Detroit has taken on the further advancement of Mapping the green resources in the area with their Open Metro Detroit Green Map. To learn more, visit them at http://sustainabledetroit.org/
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This website is hosted by CLIQ Services and designed by 4c design studios.
Both services were donated. Any questions or concerns about the site
should be directed to webmaster@detroitgreenmap.org.
