# City-Saving Eco Structures Riparian Urbanism Aims to Revitalize the City of Detroit By Michael Hines | Published 2011-05-19 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/riparian-urbanism References: [evolo.us](http://www.evolo.us/architecture/riparian-buffer-new-life-into-the-starving-urban-environment-sprout-design-media/) & [sproutdm](http://www.sproutdm.com/#1130435/riparian-urbanism) Riparian Urbanism is a conceptual [urban farm](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/luxeisland-farm) designed by [Sprout Design & Media](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sprout-worlds-plantable-pencils) to breathe life back into the dying city of Detroit. The Motor City has seen a decline in recent years, thanks to the struggles of the American auto industry, but now things are starting to turn around and Sprout Design & Media aims to keep things going in a positive direction with Riparian Urbanism. Riparian Urbanism will sit on the border of Lake Eerie and act as a natural riparian zone. Like the natural riparian zones of the world, this concept would feature varying kinds of vegetation and crops, with other space being set aside for offices and research centers. The space would be used for eco-friendly initiatives such as the cultivation of algae for use as a bio-fuel. The designers hope that this project will help shine the spotlight back on Detroit without highlighting its recent struggles. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.6/10 - Popularity: 55% | Activity: 45% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) > [Eco Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/ecoarchitecture) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Riparian Urbanism:** Riparian urbanism and urban farming have potential to revitalize declining cities and promote eco-friendly initiatives. - **Eco-friendly Initiatives:** Increased focus on eco-friendly initiatives, such as the cultivation of algae for bio-fuels, can provide economic and environmental benefits. - **Lakefront Developments:** Lakefront developments can provide opportunities for cities to connect with nature while also promoting sustainable practices. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Urban Farming:** The concept of riparian urbanism can create innovative opportunities for urban farming in declining cities and promote sustainable food production. - **Environmental Consulting:** Environmental consulting firms can provide services to help cities create eco-friendly initiatives and implement sustainability practices. - **Renewable Energy:** Renewable energy companies can capitalize on the cultivation of algae for bio-fuels and other eco-friendly initiatives for sustainable energy production. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Detroit Tower Redevelopments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shop-architects-hudson.md) - [Urban Food Ecosystems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/living-sphere.md) - [Contemporary Rental Housing Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-canopy.md) - [Urban Ecological Design Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/urban-ecological-design.md) - [Urban Greening Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/urban-green.md) - [Eco-Farm Landscape Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/luxeisland-farm.md) - [3D-Printed Mycelium Reefs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pierre-oskam.md) - [Urban Roofscape Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/central-yards.md) - [Coastal Concrete Building Materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/econcrete.md)