About this Event
Two Cities, One Water Story: Water Governance, Equity, and Community Resilience
A conversation exploring water governance, access, and financing in Detroit and Jackson, and pathways toward more equitable, community-informed water systems.
Join the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) Detroit Sustainability Clinic for “Two Cities, One Water Story,” a talk by Dr. Berneece Herbert of Jackson State University and the Clinic’s Fall 2026 Urban Sustainability & Justice Faculty Fellow.
Drawing on Detroit, Michigan, and Jackson, Mississippi—two majority-Black cities facing distinct but interconnected water challenges—Dr. Herbert will examine critical questions of water governance and equity: Who makes decisions about water? Who bears the costs? And whose voices shape the solutions?
Through these two case studies, the talk will explore how governance, infrastructure investment, and community participation shape water access and resilience, highlighting opportunities for more just and community-informed approaches to urban water systems.
Event Schedule:
12:00 PM | Refreshments and Detroit Sustainability Clinic Project Showcase
12:30–2:00 PM | Lecture and Q&A with Dr. Berneece Herbert
📍 Location: UM Detroit Center, Dearborn Room
🚗 Parking: Free parking available at DSO structure located directly behind the UM Detroit Center. Visitors will need to take a ticket when entering into the structure. Parking can be validated at the front desk of the center when you are signing in for your meeting/event space.
♿ Accessibility: The venue is wheelchair accessible.
Event venue & nearby stays
University of Michigan Detroit Center, 3663 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.