2 ms·
Have there been proposals following this bankruptcy to split Detroit out into sub-"cities?" The actual definition of a city is somewhat arbitrary. In Australia
by netcan 12y ago
Have there been proposals following this bankruptcy to split Detroit out into sub-"cities?" The actual definition of a city is somewhat arbitrary. In Australia for example, the official "city" unit that manages municipal services is actually not Melbourne or Sydney it's smaller units usually encompassing a population of 100k or so.
The division of responsibilities between federal, state and city is different but I think the takeaway is that while "Detroit" is a geographical and cultural unit, it doesn't mean it has to be a municipal one.
Maybe such a change of paradigm would be helpful here. The thought of rehabilitating a new entity comprised of suburbs, but not the downtown (or via versa) might be a less daunting task. It;s easier to move the needle.
Bankruptcy seems a good time to do something like this.
- maxerickson 12y agoI tried to understand the law on this a bit during a previous discussion. In Michigan, cities are established by a municipal charter. That charter can more or less only be amended by a vote of the people living in the city. I think would be very difficult to make such a proposal that did not end up drawing economic lines (in some sense, such lines are natural). People on one side of such a line would be strongly incentivized to oppose it. So it's likely to be impossible politically.