spaces and places detroit

Question 1

basic facts

Answer 1

• was an economic powerhouse in USA
• was a motor city, big 3 were: GM, Ford and Chrysler
• 1920-1950 4th most populous city
• since 1950 lost 60% of population, 25% in last decade (nearly million)

Question 2

problems

Answer 2

• motorways were built and so richer people decided to leave the city centre, most of which were white so it was called ‘white flight’, widening inequality
• riots in inner city, racism and social segregation
• deindustrialisation, car manufacturers moved to places of cheaper labour, Mexico
• tax base collapsed, no money for reinvestment
• poor quality services
• high crime rate
• increasing gap between rich and poor
• unemployment rate 30%
• 363km2 of abandoned buildings
• 15,000 homeless
• 12 abandoned skyscrapers
• $10billion debt
• 70,000 abandoned buildings, 1/3 of buildings
• 500 houses burnt down each year

Question 3

solutions

Answer 3

• 3 mile drive block club, self help scheme:
• patrols
• market gardening
• cooperatives
• soup kitchens and food banks
• cut back on schooling, bus routes and street lighting
• 10,000 empty structures applied for demolition
• provide services for viable neighbourhoods
• philanthropic business
• gentrification