We're partnering with environmental justice groups, neighborhood associations and corporate partners to expand the air quality monitoring network to residents and community groups across Detroit.
The Challenge
Detroit residents face some of the worst air quality in the country, with pollution concentrated in neighborhoods near industrial facilities, highways, and freight corridors. Despite this disproportionate burden, the city historically lacked comprehensive hyperlocal monitoring to identify pollution hotspots, protect residents during poor air quality events, or provide the evidence needed to challenge harmful development and advocate for cleaner transportation infrastructure. Grassroots environmental justice organizations knew the air was bad but needed data to drive policy change.
The Solution
Through a powerful combination of regional partnership and community-led action, Detroit has become one of the most comprehensively monitored cities in the country. Approximately half of Wayne County's 100+ community air quality sensors are located in Detroit, providing hyperlocal coverage across the city.
Transportation Innovation Zone (TIZ) Pilot
Six monitors were strategically deployed in Detroit's Transportation Innovation Zone through collaboration with three resident associations, Hubbard Richard, North Corktown, and Corktown, along with corporate supporters Newlab and Michigan Central. At a December 2023 community workshop, residents identified monitor locations based on their lived experience and knowledge of pollution sources, ensuring the network reflects community priorities.
Transition to Municipal Ownership
What began as a pilot project has now been adopted by the City of Detroit's Office of Mobility Innovation, demonstrating how community-led initiatives can scale into permanent municipal infrastructure when they deliver value for both residents and policymakers.
Platform Capabilities
- Regional Integration - Detroit monitors integrated into Wayne County's sensor network
- Unified public and administrator dashboards providing citywide and neighborhood-level insights
- Real-time data validation and automated QAQC ensuring accuracy
- MyJustAir personalized text alerts for real-time protection
- Historical data supporting grant applications and policy development
Outcomes & Impact
- One of the nation’s most measured cities
- Evidence-based environmental justice
- Municipal innovation and integration across the City’s Office of Mobility Innovation, Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department, and Office of Sustainability
- Community ownership and trust
Check Out The Network
Track the air quality in your community through our network of air monitors. If you'd like to access monitors' historic data, submit a request here.
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