The abandoned industrial crisis in Michigan, USA calls for the redevelopment of abandoned industrial site areas into functioning public spaces. These neglected spaces develop negative impacts on the surrounding communities regarding aesthetic, safety, economic, and environmental issues. The purpose of this study is to examine the redevelopment of an underused site, especially featuring an industrial site element, and the effects on the nearby community by applying quantitative measures. The Michigan Central Station in Detroit, Michigan, USA was selected as a case study. Landscape performance research was applied to quantitively analyze the environmental, social and economic benefits of reclaiming abandoned industrial sites and their inner elements. In this research, findings showed the case study redesign resulted in positive environmental impacts. These impacts included: expanded areas of ecologically valuable land, increases in carbon sequestration, increases in retained stormwater, the use of recycled content and reductions in sulfur dioxide. The case study redevelopment showed impacts on the surrounding economics through savings on water treatment cost through stormwater retention, increases in property values, and job creation. Furthermore, the redesign also impacted social aspects for the surrounding areas including increases in the area of proposed gathering space, safety enhancements, additions of sidewalks and bike lanes, and increases in the area of public open space. In addition, the major findings support the benefits of public physical health by promoting outdoor activities. The findings of this study will help designers and urban planners to see the value in reusing existing industrial sites instead of undergoing the harmful demolition process and eventually lead to a more sustainable community design.
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