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Detroit seems to be turning the corner at the bottom of a decades-long economic slide, but there are also some interesting long-term environmental trends that I
by cwal37 12y ago
Detroit seems to be turning the corner at the bottom of a decades-long economic slide, but there are also some interesting long-term environmental trends that I think bode well for it and many smaller rust belt towns. Most pressingly, a lot of those towns are directly on arterial waterways and receive copious amounts of rain. So you get extremely cheap transportation of goods, and you also just have a water supply in general.
There may have been a great migration to the Southwest over the last 40-50 years, but it's hard to picture a scenario where that area's ecological budgetary chickens don't come home to roost at some point. Then, Detroit and other communities like it become significantly more attractive.
- andor436 12y agoOne major issue for Detroit, assuming it can emerge from bankruptcy and state management, is how to provide reasonable levels of services to a vastly-reduced population density. Other Michigan cities (like Flint) are facing similar issues. Check out https://motorcitymapping.org https://motorcitymapping.org and http://report.timetoendblight.org/ http://report.timetoendblight.org/ - good ways to see the scope of the problem.
- cwal37 12y agoTotally. Their in-the-ground infrastructure was built to serve a completely different kind of population. I'm just thinking even longer term. This Planet Money episode[1] does a great job painting a picture of the back and forth between residents having their water shut off and finding ways to turn it back on. [1] http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2014/08/08/338068996/episode-559-detroits-water-bill http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2014/08/08/338068996/episode-...
- roc 12y ago> "assuming it can emerge from bankruptcy and state management" Assuming? http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/12/05/detroit-bankruptcy-manager-resigns/19961603/ http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/12/05/detroit... Edit: I'm downvoted for pointing out that the exit is all but finalized and thus "assuming" is an unnecessary qualifier?
- andor436 12y agoI didn't downvote you, and your point is valid. Relevant: http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2014/12/governor_approves_end_of_emerg.html http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2014/12/governor... So some good news! I haven't read much on plans for restructuring the city and the various city services once all the vacant structures are removed. Anyone else?
- toomuchtodo 12y ago> is how to provide reasonable levels of services to a vastly-reduced population density. You don't. Populations shift, and Detroit has clearly lost that battle. Sure, it may be a "rising tech hub", but most people aren't going to move to Detroit for a job if they can avoid it. Incentivize residents to leave sparse housing for more dense housing near the core, raize the old properties, and explore urban farming. Cheaper then attempting to maintain a vast network of infrastructure for a dwindling population that can't afford it already.