Case Study: the City of Detroit makes land-based project permitting clearer and more equitable with The Work Department

City of Detroit simplifies land project permitting with The Work Department and 5 public guides

The City of Detroit faced a challenge where its process for residents to purchase, permit, and maintain land-based projects like urban farms was confusing, inconsistent, and difficult to access. The city partnered with The Work Department, along with other community organizations and technical experts, for process design support to create a more equitable and navigable system.

The Work Department helped the city identify resident roadblocks and visualize the existing process by creating detailed journey maps. These maps were refined through community engagement, directly shaping improvements. The vendor also designed a full set of public-facing materials, including five easy-to-read guides that use everyday language and step-by-step visuals to explain zoning, permitting, and maintenance.

City of Detroit