Detroit

There is plenty that can be done, do we care enough?

If you have paid attention enough, you’ve known that Detroit has been decaying for quite awhile, their last Mayor is in jail, the water department has begun turning off service to delinquent customers and there are way too many vacant buildings and lots. I forgot to mention the city even filed for bankruptcy.

What is a resident to do? What is a city, state or nation to do?

The locals appear to be making an effort to sustain their livelihood until something turns around. You know what is missing to turn things around?

Money.

I’d imagine they have the labor and will to make it happen, but how can we afford it?

That’s not really my concern, but it’s clearly a speed hump that must be overcome to press forward. What I really want to talk about is an opportunity, yes, an optimistic idea about Detroit. Maybe this is already happening, or tens if not hundreds of other bloggers have written about it…

Oh well, I will anyway.

At one point, I read that the city intends to begin demolishing vacant homes as a means to decrease crime and overall blight. What really matters after this is done is this…

Unlike other cities where building space is almost always limited, Detroit will offer urban planners a rare chance to experiment with wide-open land. Neighborhood advocates are talking excitedly about creating urban gardens, farms, forests and other types of “green space.” Brightmoor already has the Lyndon Greenway, which connects two large parks with smaller parks and bike paths.

Unfortunately, this didn’t seem to be discussed much in the article and “bike” was only mentioned once. The unfortunate part is that the emphasis on a bike network should be key as a part of a comprehensive plan to incorporate walkability, public transit and biking as safe, comfortable and affordable means of transportation.

If there ends up being gaps between neighborhoods, develop proper bike infrastructure that segregates riders from drivers. Widen sidewalks to account for future use, inducing demand rather than waiting for it as we typically do with non-driving infrastructure. Maybe Detroit could be the first Amsterdamesque American city?

No matter how you reinvigorate Detroit, the long time residents will be impacted by what future lies ahead for the city as a whole. At this point, if they were to develop this infrastructure and educate the locals while new residents move in, there is an opportunity for all to coincide and prosper. Again, it comes back to a choice.