Originally Posted by
casscorridor
I remember growing up in Detroit's suburbs thinking that Detroit was the third world. The common saying was "demolish it and start over." Which, interestingly, is sort of happening.
As far as Detroit's infrastructure and built environment, I would say the main problem is lack of density coupled with lack non-bus [[rail) transit. These two factors work hand and hand, lack of transit leads to lower density which leads to cuts in transit and so on in a downward spiral.
Similarly, Detroit's economics works the same way -- shrinking tax base leads to cuts in services which leads to an even more shrinking tax base which leads to even more cuts and so on. We see it with transit, schools, libraries, basic services such as lighting.
Detroit is literally shutting down and slated for demolition outside the "green zone" of Greater Downtown/Midtown. This is America.