Detroit Case Study (Distant Place) Flashcards
Where is Detroit located?
South East Michigan, South of Canada
What endogenous factors made Detroit so favourable to industrialise?
-Geographically very large
-Natural resources such as coal
-Huge lakes for transportation and industry
-lots of European trade/igrants
-flat land, easy to build
What were some exogenous factors which made Detroit industrialise?
-Ford invested huge factories in Detroit due to location, which created jobs and boosted the economy. Toyota as well.
-Influx of migrants allowed for cheap labour
Why and how did Detroit grow?
Industrialised as a motor industry, 1903, construction of Ford, began mass producing cars. Major hub of metal, trade, heavy machinery. Fully industrialised as Americas 4th largest city in 1920
What happened in terms of migration in Detroit?
The ‘great migration’ occurred, influx of African Americans migrated from the south for better job opportunities working in the factories, the population increased to 1.8million from 600,000. 1920
What were the benefits in terms of the African-American migration into Detroit?
-Cheap labour
-Great workforce, provided money for the economy.
What were the negatives in terms of the African-American migration into Detroit?
-They came from deprivation, didn’t have enough money to buy new houses, lead to overcrowding and led to huge racial tension between the whites and blacks, social and racial segregation.
What happened in 1967, which caused huge population decline and resulted in economic decline?
Huge racial tension and segregation, African Americans began to rebel against oppressive conditions and against the police force. Resulted in the white flight.
What is the white flight and why was it a problem for the economy?
-white people moved out of Detroit due to the racial wars, into the suburbs. This led to industries and new factories to the suburbs where the money was, led to dereliction and a high black population in the city. Rise in crime as higher class moved out. 1945-1980
What year did Detroit file for bankruptcy?
2013
What endogenous factors played a part in the fall of Detroit?
Very geographically large city, meaning a great deal of funds are needed to maintain territory. As people left they took tax revenue and labour with them. Therefore tax rev decreased leading to a decrease in public goods and services.
What is Detroit like now and why?
Symbol of urban decay, infrastructure is crumbling and city is operating 300 million short of sustainability, the city lacked industrial diversification.
Name some stats that show what Detroit is like today?
-36% below poverty line
-2010 residential vacancy of 27%
-highest unemployment rate at 23%
-40% street lights don’t work
-lack of transportation, people cannot commute.
What was the great migration in the USA?
The mass movement of African Americans from the rural southern USA, to the urban North and West.
How did Detroit benefit from the great migration?
-Assisted industrial growth - migration brought substantial workforce for the automotive industry which boosted economic growth.
-Brought a rich diverse culture - influencing the arts, music and food.
Why did many of the migrants move into Detroit?
-Seek better economic opportunities and escape from oppressive racial segregation in the south.
-Detroits automotive industry offered jobs that were good pay, didn’t need much education and improved economic conditions.
How did the great migration end up negatively impacting Detroit?
-Detroit experienced urban decay, with many neighbourhoods deteriorating aging due to a declining population, poverty and crime.
-Racial tensions also escalated by issues such as housing discrimination, unequal job opportunities and police brutality. This resulted in the white flight.
In summary, how did the great migration affect Detroit?
Initially it contributed to the rise of Detroit by supplying labour for the booming automotive industry and bringing a diverse culture. However, the city later faced challenges due to an economic decline, urban decay and racial tensions leading to its fall in the latter half of the 20th century.
Name a song in which Detroit is represented in and name a few quotes?
Loose yourself by Eminem 2001
“Can’t get by with my 9-5”
“I can’t provide the right life for my family”
“Or I’ll end up in jail or shot”
What are the 4 regeneration projects being done in Detroit.
-Motown to growtown.
What is the growtown to Motown movement in Detroit?
-City was deprived of fresh produce, 1/2 of people lived below the poverty line unable to access groceries.
-Ideal environment for entrepreneurs.
-Building farms and gardens to produce fresh produce on derelict sites by the community.
What was the principles of the peacemaking regeneration scheme in Detroit?
-focused on creating vibrant, inclusive, and community centred public spaces by transforming underutilised or neglected spaces into areas that people want to use.
Has the principles of peacemaking scheme been successful?
In some parts it has, such as the transformation of the Detroit riverfront, including the creation of parks, walking trails and recreational spaces have revitalised the area.
