Dearborn partners with University of Michigan Law School to overhaul ordinances, promote environmental justice

Published Oct. 21, 2024

The City of Dearborn today announced a new agreement with the Environmental Law and Sustainability Clinic at the University of Michigan Law School to complete a comprehensive review of City ordinances and policies. Michigan Law students will provide pro-bono services and strategic recommendations to help achieve a healthier and more sustainable environment for Dearborn residents. 

The partnership, which was facilitated by the City’s Department of Public Health (DPH) in December 2023, leverages resources across City departments to improve the health and well-being of Dearborn residents through existing City ordinances and policies.

Dearborn’s environmental health manager Samir Deshpande, who helped formalize the partnership, stated,“Our goal is to make the ‘greenest’ choice the easiest choice for Dearborn residents and businesses. Partnering with Michigan Law lets Dearborn leverage the resources and expertise of one of the nation’s best law schools while providing an experiential public health and environmental justice training ground for tomorrow’s lawyers.” 

Thus far, 12 Michigan Law students have researched the legal architecture of topics including flood mitigation, solar feasibility, and master planning under the leadership of clinic director Oday Salim.

“Laws written decades before the rise of strategies like green stormwater infrastructure or rooftop solar can inadvertently add significant financial or regulatory barriers for socially desirable practices—in some cases, they ban them entirely,” said Salim, co-director of the Michigan Law School’s Environmental & Energy Law Program and chair of the American Bar Association’s Environmental Justice Committee. “We’re proud to partner with Dearborn to support the City in removing barriers and expanding access to tools that save money, improve public health, and address climate change.” 

The partnership is part of Mayor Abdullah H. Hammoud’s commitment to implementing a health-in-all policies approach, which prioritizes resident health, environmental justice, and climate action in all public policy decisions.

Kaileigh Bianchini, Dearborn Planning and Zoning Manager, stated “We know that flooding, air pollution, and energy affordability are big concerns for Dearborn residents and that climate change worsens all these issues. This partnership is a reflection of Dearborn’s commitment to ensuring laws that regulate our built environment result in equitable outcomes and provide better options for businesses and residents alike.” 

Dearborn’s work, led by DPH, has been recognized through a 2023 silver certification by Michigan Green Communities and a 2024 Mayors’ Climate Protection Award by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. 

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