The City of Detroit’s Planning and Development Department (PDD) has been honored with the 2025 National Planning Excellence Award from the American Planning Association (APA) for its landmark Joe Louis Greenway Neighborhood Planning Study—a comprehensive initiative that reimagines how infrastructure investment can drive equitable neighborhood growth and community-led revitalization

“This recognition affirms Detroit’s commitment to ensuring that every major public investment—like the Joe Louis Greenway—is designed to strengthen neighborhoods, create opportunity, and celebrate the people who live here,” said Alexa Bush, Director of the Planning and Development Department. “Our team worked hand-in-hand with residents to ensure that the Greenway doesn’t just connect neighborhoods physically but connects people to new opportunities.”

A Model for Inclusive Neighborhood Growth

Building upon the foundational vision of the JLG Framework Plan (2021) The Joe Louis Greenway Neighborhood Planning Study, led by the Planning and Development Department in partnership with Interface Studio, Mass Economics, SmithGroup, Spackman Mossop Michaels, Sidewalk Detroit, Noell Consulting, and the Joe Louis Greenway Partnership, set out to answer one key question: “How can the Greenway create equitable outcomes for the surrounding communities?”

Spanning 23 Detroit neighborhoods and connecting to three neighboring municipalities through nearly 30 miles of trail, the Greenway serves as both a recreational corridor and a catalyst for economic opportunity, housing stability, and environmental justice.

The study was supported by federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and shaped through one of the City’s most extensive engagement efforts to date—featuring more than 40 public meetings, 200 stakeholder sessions, and a 13-member Community Leadership Team made up of residents, advocates, and business leaders.

Turning Vision into Action

The plan produced five neighborhood area playbooks, each rooted in local priorities and backed by detailed land use and market analyses. These playbooks lay out actionable strategies to guide equitable redevelopment, housing preservation, and commercial revitalization. The plan also identified 10 Greenway Opportunity (GO) Areas, where targeted investments will help boost housing, improve streetscapes, and create vibrant gateways along the Greenway.

Redefining Planning for People

The APA’s National Planning Awards program has honored excellence in urban planning for more than 50 years, celebrating innovation that helps communities become stronger and more resilient.

The Joe Louis Greenway Neighborhood Planning Study redefines traditional infrastructure planning, transforming a regional greenway into a powerful framework for neighborhood justice. The plan addresses long-standing challenges of disinvestment, environmental harm, and housing instability while empowering Detroiters to lead change within their own communities.

“The Heavyweight Impact: The Joe Louis Greenway Neighborhood Planning Study for Inclusive Neighborhood Growth shows that a greenway can be more than a trail, it can be a catalyst for the surrounding neighborhoods,” said Robert J. Duffy, FAICP, 2025 APA National Planning Awards jury chair. “This plan demonstrates how infrastructure can strengthen community ties and create lasting impact for generations.”

The Planning and Development Department will be formally recognized at the APA National Planning Conference in spring 2026.

About The Joe Louis Greenway

The Joe Louis Greenway is a transformative 29-mile bike and pedestrian loop that connects 23 Detroit neighborhoods and the cities of Dearborn, Hamtramck, and Highland Park. It links trails, bike paths, and green spaces to create new access to parks, businesses, and housing while honoring the legacy of Detroit boxing legend Joe Louis.

Earlier this month, Mayor Mike Duggan joined community partners and residents to cut the ribbon on 2 new miles of greenway. At the event, they highlighted the new Grand River Trailhead near Oakman Boulevard and unveiled a bronze statue of Joe Louis honoring his legacy outside the boxing rink as a professional golf pioneer.