Detroit

Want to Avoid Detroit's Fate? Diversify Your Economy

"Nearly all the rich world’s industrial cities fell on hard times between 1950 and 1980," says The Economist. Why did some recover while others failed? A new paper argues that skilled workers and a diverse economy are key to overcoming adversity.

August 16, 2013 - The Economist

Indianapolis Revival Is a Team Effort

What's made the difference in the trajectories of similarly-sized Midwest cities Detroit and Indianapolis? According to David Masciotra, cross-sector partnerships centered around sports entertainment have been the driving force behind Indy's success.

August 13, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Detroit Default Ripples Through Municipal Bond Market

The Motor City is the not the only victim of the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history. Local governments across Michigan are now encountering substantial obstacles to borrowing amid concerns about the security of municipal bonds.

August 12, 2013 - The New York Times

Detroit People Mover

The Grand Plans that Failed to Save Detroit

The $500 million Renaissance Center, a 2.9-mile People Mover, and new downtown sports stadiums are just some of the grand schemes that were supposed to help arrest Detroit's decades-long decline.

August 11, 2013 - The Washington Post

Urban Revivals Give Hope to Detroit Emergency Manager

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, emergency manager Kevyn Orr explains how his own experiences living in once-derelict, now-thriving cities leave him optimistic about Detroit's revival.

August 5, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal

Atlanta Sprawl

Bemoan Atlanta, as Well as Detroit, Writes Columnist

New York Times columnist Paul Krugman looks at two great American cities, one losing population for decades and now filed for bankruptcy, the other growing rapidly but through sprawl, not smart growth. Yet Atlanta suffers lower social mobility.

August 4, 2013 - The New York Times - The Opinion Pages

Improved Public Services a Beneficial By-Product of Detroit Bankruptcy

The addition of 50 new police cars, ramped up bus service, and long overdue streetlight repairs are all being planned as bankruptcy proceedings allow Detroit to increase funding for public services.

July 29, 2013 - Detroit Free Press

With East Riverfront Redevelopment, Builder Bets on Detroit's Future

Just outside of downtown, and a short walk from the Detroit River, developer McCormack Baron Salazar is planning to build a new neighborhood of town houses, apartments, and retail on mostly vacant land - a $60 million bet on the city's future.

July 24, 2013 - Detroit Free Press

Do the Feds Have a Responsibility to Help Detroit?

The federal government has a role to play in the financial crises afflicting cities across America, and most notably of late, in Detroit. Should Washington also play a role in helping them to recover?

July 23, 2013 - The Nation

'Against All Odds', Detroit is Poised for Growth

With its recent bankruptcy filing, Detroit has a plethora of challenges ahead of it. But the city is well positioned for growth, argue Bruce Katz and Jennifer Bradley, which will be as important for the city's renewal as fixing its fiscal problems.

July 22, 2013 - Brookings

How a Private-Sector Approach Can Save Your Transit System

Is your city's transit agency caught in a cycle of rising fares, declining service, and chronic financial problems? Mark Aesch has used an innovative approach to turn around the bus systems in Rochester and Detroit. Could it work in your city?

July 19, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

What's Next for Detroit?

Yesterday, Detroit became the largest municipality in U.S. history to declare bankruptcy. Such an action is unprecedented, so the path forward is murky. Yet one word seems to signify what lies ahead over the next year: battles.

July 19, 2013 - Detroit Free Press

Detroit - Renaissance Center

Bankrupt!

After months of speculation, and decades of mismanagement and population decline, Detroit has filed for bankruptcy. The milestone is the culmination of a turbulent half-century for the city. But some see it as a chance for a new start.

July 18, 2013 - Jonathan Nettler

Is a City Still a City If It Can't Serve Its Residents?

Police response times average 58 minutes for worst crimes and at times only 10 of the city's 36 ambulances are in service: Detroit's woes extend far beyond its unpaid debts. Many residents are hoping emergency management will bring drastic change.

July 11, 2013 - The New York Times

With Pop-Up Project, Detroit Becomes a Beach Town

With 150 tons of golf-course bunker sand, the Downtown Detroit Partnership has turned a traffic island at the southern end of the Campus Martius into an urban beach, part of a larger effort to revitalize they city's downtown.

June 28, 2013 - Detroit Free Press

Detroit Healthy City: Health Impact Assessments and the Detroit Future City Plan

A look at the Detroit Future City Framework through the lens of a Health Impact Assessment may provide valuable information concerning the effects of the plan's policies and practices.

June 24, 2013 - Global Site Plans - The Grid

Is Spending Billions on Highway Expansions the Best Way to Support Detroit's Recovery?

The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments is considering $4 billion in highway expansion projects at a meeting today. With Detroit pursuing several alternative transportation initiatives, is this the best way to spend scarce federal dollars?

June 20, 2013 - DC.Streetsblog

Emergency Manager Delivers Hail Mary Plan to Save Detroit from Bankruptcy

In a presentation to creditors delivered yesterday, Detroit emergency manager Kevyn Orr outlined a last-ditch effort to save the city from bankruptcy. Many creditors would have to agree to receive less than 10 cents on the dollar.

June 15, 2013 - Detroit Free Press

Stereotypes Undergird Coverage of Detroit Whole Foods Opening

When does the opening of a Whole Foods generate national media attention? When the location is Midtown, Detroit.

June 10, 2013 - Grist

Garage Sale Signs

Detroit Plans Massive Garage Sale

The Detroit Zoo's 'healthy, breeding female giraffe'? A classic Ford XD Cobra prototype? Belle Isle? Mark Stryker and John Gallagher look at some of the city-owned assets that could be sold to help pay off the city's monstrous debt.

June 3, 2013 - Detroit Free Press

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

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