detroit Flashcards
structural economic change
How did the Interstate Highway Act of 1956 cause decline in Detroit?
made population more mobile
would generate more profits in the local automotive industry
white middle class left rented apartments within industrial inner city to suburbs
centre became increasingly dominated by black working class
while more black people have achieved middle class status over the last 60 years they joined WHITE FLIGHT from inner city
taking a influential political and business group
caused DOUGHNUT EFFECT- no investment in the middle, but a ring of affluence in the suburbs
population dropped by 10% in inner city, and grew by 25% in the suburbs
how did the 1967 riots cause decline in Detroit?
pitted white people against black people as a consequence of deprivation and racism
prevented black people from moving out of the inner city as they didn’t feel wanted in the suburbs - SOCIAL SEGREGATION
how did deindustrialisation cause decline in Detroit?
high wages, good benefits and a strong union made Detroit automotive industry desirable to employers
workers took their wages to the suburbs and invested there and commuted to the more industrial areas, no investment, outdated technology
foreign competition meant that bug car manufacturers took businesses elsewhere
caused economic stagnation and unemployment
what were the effects of the decline?
-tax base collapsed, no money available for investment. poor quality services and decline in environmental quality
-high crime rate, 7/10 murders remain unsolved
-increasing gap between rich and poor
-accumulation of corpses at morgues as families can’t afford funerals
-unemployment rate of 30%
abandoned buildings across 363km2 of the city
-cut back on MUNICIPAL SERVICES such as schooling, street lighting
what have the responses been to the decline?
-self help schemes such as Three Mile Drive block club
-increasing reliance on soup kitchens or food banks. Gleaners Community Food Bank delivered 14,000 tonnes of food in one year
-redevelopment and renewal of areas of Detroit. funding is received from philanthropic business groups to reuse the 10,000 building that were listed for demolition
how many buildings are derelict in Detroit and what do these become?
dozens of buildings
12 skyscrapers
used by drug gangs and criminals
give an example of how a derelict building has been reused positivley.
one used as game arcade with casinos
brings money in
