Detroit, 'Comeback City'

Despite the massive improvements Detroit has made both in public perception, it still has a long way to go to in overcoming misperceptions associated with its decades of struggles.

1 minute read

November 4, 2019, 7:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Detroit, Michigan

J Dennis / Shutterstock

"It's fair to say that Detroit's reputation has flipped fairly quickly from 'Ruin Porn Capital' to 'Comeback City,'" writes John Gallagher.

"But that easy generalization is too simple, almost a cartoon, to capture the complex nature of Detroit's reality and its changing image."

Given the complexity of the challenges facing Detroit, Detroit Future City has released a report every year since 2013, "[surveying] city and suburban residents and national business leaders on their attitudes toward Detroit," according to Gallagher, who shares the findings of the latest survey in the source article.

"The latest survey, known as the 2019 Detroit Reinvestment Index, released Sunday, carries mostly positive news. City residents, suburbanites and national business leaders all reported rising rates of confidence in the city," according to Gallagher.

The catch: some misperceptions persist, like a significant number of business leaders who think the city is still mired in bankruptcy.

Monday, November 4, 2019 in Detroit Free Press

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

4 hours ago - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Person wearing mask walking through temporary outdoor dining setup lined with bistro lights at dusk in New York City.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?

Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

June 19, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of new neifhborhood under construction with enpty lots in foreground.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won

A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

5 hours ago - CALmatters

Low-rise Pearl Sreet mall in Boulfer, Colorado.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide

Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

6 hours ago - Boulder Reporting Lab

Two-story buildings with porches in walkable Florida neighborhood.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code

The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.

7 hours ago - CNU Public Square