If there was ever a time to re-shape, re-organize, re-model, re-vise, re-make Detroit; this is the time.
Detroit is a hollow city. It has lost most of its industrial base; it has lost most of its population; it has lost most of its economy. This comparison of Detroit to some other urban areas was done by the Detroit Free Press [cited from the City Farmer News]:
Acres of barren blocks offer chance to reinvent DetroitCompare this to a proposal that I have made several times in the past:
The map above by Dan Pitera, a professor of architecture at University of Detroit Mercy. About 30% of Detroit is now vacant land — about 40 square miles, by one estimate — as the city’s population has shrunk from a peak of 2 million in the early 1950s to 900,000 today. Abandoned houses dot empty lots that were once blocks of homes and businesses. Farms, forests, hobby gardens and recreation areas are some suggestions urban planners are considering for using the space.By John Gallagher
Detroit Free Press
December 15, 2008
Sunday, April 05, 2009The gist was this:
Detroit Needs Bankruptcy And Reorganization
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Detroit - Same Old Same Old
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Ethnic Divisiveness - Unintended Consequences
Another radical approach would be to reduce Detroit to a 5 mile radius from the foot of Woodward Ave and then create several new cities along the outer ring or let existing cities annex adjacent areas. This would create a more manageable central area that could focus on high-end businesses and more affluent residents. The outer areas would be more traditional smaller cities that could focus on small business and the needs of its residents.
Do I hear any rational objections?
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