The intentional implementation of green spaces originated in elite classes of society when intricate gardens used for strolling and hunting exhibited the pinnacle of wealth and status. The development of Western and socialist nations led to a further emphasis on public spaces geared toward leisure and recreation in an outdoor setting. Historically, the creation of public parks in urban settings was intended to enhance lifestyles and material representations of a community’s vitality. Today, green spaces are vital fixtures of healthy communities that create accessible opportunities for physical activity and socialization. Parks in urban settings are pivotal deterrents of environmental destruction as they limit greenhouse gas emissions and can aid in stormwater attenuation. In the United States, systems that are not monetarily lucrative are often faced with the threat of profit-driven development. Green spaces are constantly at risk of exchanging complementary public services for privatized experiences. In a society that prioritizes short-term economic success, the lasting impacts on natural resources are at grave risk.
The history of Belle Isle
Poised in the Detroit River, the 985-acre island park of Belle Isle represents Detroit’s success as it became a major urban space. The conception of the park in the late 19th century brought forth a community space that served as a natural oasis in the rapidly industrializing automotive capital of the world. Furthermore, Belle Isle and similar green spaces throughout the United States and the world play an indispensable role in urban communities, providing benefits for both human well-being and environmental conservation. It is crucial to protect urban green spaces and the numerous advantages that they possess.
When nature suffers, so does our health
Located in the Steel Belt of the United States, Detroit’s river played an integral role in the profound industrial takeover in the early 20th century. The Detroit River was used primarily as a working river and was contaminated with staggering levels of phosphorus and mercury, largely due to dumping from the industrial developments along its banks. The river also became heavily polluted with sewage, causing outbreaks of typhoid fever and cholera in the early 1900s. Despite various efforts to reduce pollution in the Detroit River, fruitful actions did not take place until the 1970s. The 1972 Clean Water Act (CWA) and U.S.-Canadian Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) promoted preservation and mindful disposal practices from industrial riverside manufacturers by outlawing the disposal of pollutants without a permit. These efforts reduced the threat of dangerous water quality and deteriorating ecological diversity in Belle Isle.
The decline of Detroit’s industry also signaled the concurrent lack of maintenance on the island. In the late 20th century, waning finances led to widespread neglect of green spaces and a deterioration in preservation efforts. In 2013, in the larger context of the city of Detroit’s bankruptcy filing, a deal was struck with the State of Michigan that would allow Detroit to save millions annually on the burden and expense of park preservation by establishing a 30-year lease of Belle Isle to the State.
Through the unique challenges of Detroit as a city and global economic hardships, Belle Isle has been victim to multiple periods of neglect. Within its lifespan, many politicians have questioned the value of preserving a large green space like Belle Isle. However, natural spaces provide valuable ecosystem resources, as they provide fresh air, improve water quality and counteract rising global temperatures. One study conducted in Beijing, China, analyzed the carbon storage in urban green spaces by taking satellite images, classifying vegetation, and using its aboveground biomass to quantify their data. The results of this study showed that the carbon storage density in the most rapidly developing area in Beijing was significantly lower in just over a decade of landscaping change. An ecosystem resource like carbon storage from trees and vegetation is of utmost importance as urbanization continues to increase. In the span of twelve years, the carbon storage density in Beijing dramatically decreased, which is a significant shortcoming considering the region’s focused attempts to reduce air pollution. It is estimated by the United Nations that 68 percent of the world’s population will reside in urban areas by 2050. As the number of urban and manufacturing developments continues to increase in Detroit, carbon dioxide and air quality levels are a cause for concern. Therefore, the preservation of mature green spaces such as Belle Isle serves as a carbon offset for the steadily increasing urban sprawl of Detroit, Michigan and its surrounding areas.
Measurable impact for at-risk populations
The history and protection of green spaces within Detroit cannot truly be discussed without an analysis of the populations that they serve. The demographic makeup of Detroit is 76.8 percent Black or African American, with 10.3 percent of the population being white in 2024. Since people of color comprise nearly 90 percent of Detroit’s over half a million residents, the conservation of Belle Isle and similar green spaces has a considerable impact for these communities. Parks act as community spaces and social hubs, bringing communities together, while reducing rates of violent crimes. Residents in urban settings with more green spaces have better mental health and overall improved well-being compared to residents in areas with less green space.
The physical health outcomes that are associated with proximity to green spaces further enhance their advantages. A study conducted in Detroit, Michigan examined the association between neighborhood walkability and body mass index (BMI) among a large cohort of African American cancer survivors. By assessing the walkability of participants’ neighborhoods in Detroit, a link was established between higher neighborhood walkability and reduced BMI, with feasible access to walkable spaces like parks showing a clear decrease in BMI among the study group. Nonetheless, structural barriers restricting access to green spaces continue to be a significant factor in the disproportionately high prevalence of cardiovascular disease within the African American community. Hence, Belle Isle serves as a mechanism for healthier lifestyles in vulnerable subpopulations throughout Detroit by acting as an accessible and walkable community space.
The physical health factors that are impacted by green spaces are not limited to long term health outcomes. The SARS-CoV-2 infection rates were significantly skewed based on race in the United States. A 2021 study of the most urbanized 40.3 percent of the U.S. population found that counties with more green spaces also had less racial disparity in COVID-19 infection rates. These findings likely reflect the lifestyle opportunities afforded to individuals with access to green spaces.
Preserving Belle Isle
An existing conservation strategy for Belle Isle is volunteer stewardship. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources hosts volunteers monthly in an attempt to mitigate the destructive impacts of invasive species. The most impactful method to conserve Belle Isle’s biodiversity is the mobilization of community. The preservation of Belle Isle has been a collective effort of the Detroit community for years. Most importantly, conscious selection of elected officials is the primary method to advocate for the proper allocation of resources toward precious green spaces.
More than a space: culture, community, and history
The stewardship of green spaces like Belle Isle is imperative to the vitality of an urban community. As an iconic landmark, Belle Isle is an ecological resource that promotes physical activity and interactions with nature within an urban setting. The protection and preservation of Belle Isle will uphold a key facet of Detroit’s culture, community, and history for all residents.
About the author
Vansh Bhardwaj is a fourth-year public health student at Wayne State University. Born and raised in Metro-Detroit, his goal is to eliminate health disparities in his community by bringing social justice to the forefront of medicine. As an aspiring physician, he is passionate about being an advocate for patients who concurrently tackles the onset of diseases and the structural factors that cause them.
**Feature photo obtained with a standard license on Shutterstock.
