DEVIN VOWELS
A senior at the University of Michigan studying Urban Technology with a minor in Entrepreneurship.
I'm an empathetic and multidisciplinary thinker who is passionate about reimagining space and place-making for people—physically and digitally. I view design as a creative playground to build community and shape space for cultural progress.
01 Urban Street Planter Tool
02 Little Village Play Paths
03 Union Exchnage
04 Worldwide MI
05 Caution Signifier Devices
06 Apple Maps - Biker Awareness
-> other work
-> about me
02 LITTLE VILLAGE PLAY PATHS
OCT-DEC 2023
Senior Strategy Studio
Collaborator(s):
>Aakash Narayan
>Dylan Shefman
>Nicholas Sheele
Role(s):
>System + Concept Strategy
>Research + Development
>Interface Design
>Presentation Design
Tool(s):
>Figma
>FigJam/Miro
>Illustrator
>ProcreateA system of tools that encourages child independence in Little Village, Detroit through physical, cultural, and digital components of the neighborhood.
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This project envisions the future of Little Village, a cultural and artistic neighborhood on Detroit’s east side, as a thriving community shaped by sustainable, just, and human-centered design. Little Village, currently in its early stages of development, spans 75 acres and includes art venues, housing, workspaces, and more.
The goal is to imagine how innovative urban systems—both tangible and intangible—can support the needs and everyday experiences of neighborhood’s youth with an emphasis on independence, recreation, and safety.
Photo Credits
CHALLENGE
This project is inspired by a world where a child can walk the streets of Detroit alone to get to school.
But, Detroit is no Tokyo or Copenhagen. Most parents don’t feel comfortable embracing this future given the culture of safety in Detroit—and America.
RESEARCH
We interviewed 8 parents (both local to Detroit and other U.S. cities). Not every parent is the same, so the goal of this research was to understand the various safety and comfort thresholds guardians might have.
GOAL
Encouraging parents to gradually expand their comfort thresholds through dedicated play spaces, child mobility, and systemic support.
SOLTUION
A system of tools that encourages child independence in Little Village, Detroit through physical, cultural, and digital components of the neighborhood.
- a PLACE for kids to be kids
- a safety surveillance TOOL for parents to check-in from anywhere
- a neighborhood CULTURE rooted in safety and youth support
OPPORTUNITY
There is an extensive network of alleyways throughout the city of Detroit, yet they are often overlooked and underutilized
Until the 1980’s, the City of Detroit maintained these alleys, however, since then, the City has given them back to the property owners.
PHYSICAL -> ALLEYS AS CHILD MOBILITY INFRASTRUCTURE
Each playscape serves as a mobility hub, linking children to key neighborhood destinations like schools, parks, and cultural centers.
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Tranforming 2.5 miles of alleways into 2.5 miles of play space
Encourage Exploration:
Unique features in each playscape invite children to navigate between them, fostering curiosity and independence.
Promote Safe Movement:
Features like crossing guards, temporary street closures for play days, and visible markers create a safe environment for children to move freely.
Support Community Events:
Playscapes double as venues for events like block parties, pop-up art shows, and seasonal activities, deepening their value to the community.
DIGITAL -> WANDER APP + SURVEILLANCE INFRASTRUCTURE
Designing designated play spaces is not enough to support the safety concerns of parents. To complement the physical playscapes, we developed Wander, a mobile application designed to bridge the gap between parental concerns and children’s need for independence by providing actionable safety information and fostering trust through technology.
DATA
Wander leverages sensor infrastructure installed throughout Little Village to collect and analyze data on environmental conditions. This data informs the app’s safety index and provides actionable insights for parents, enabling them to:
- Quickly locate the safest paths for their children.
- Understand and predict fluctuations in neighborhood activity.
- Feel confident in allowing their kids to explore independently.
APP | KEY FEATURES
01Interactive Safety Map:
Provides real-time safety index scores for different areas within Little Village.
02Seamless Device Integration:
Wander connects to physical devices like neighborhood safety beacons.
03Data Visualization Tools:
Displays insights on traffic patterns, noise levels, and pedestrian density.
04
Customizable Alerts:
Parents can set personalized safety preferences.
CULTURE -> COMMUNITY ALLEY TRUST
Safe neighborhoods are underpinned by informal social networks and trusted relationships. Our approach prioritizes strengthening these cultural foundations to create a supportive environment where children can thrive through a Community Alley Trust, drawing inspiration from existing community land trust models and adapting them to suit the specific needs of Little Village.
IT TAKES A VILLAGE
By fostering a sense of shared ownership and collective responsibility, CAT transforms alleyways into vibrant, well-maintained communal spaces. Its efforts build trust among Little Village residents, establishing a shared responsibility to supporting the next generation of community members.