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Bham, DTFellow, I think the same about the revitalization of downtowns really. It requires an effort to bring back this sense of identity and urbanity to younger generations that were cut off from the city experience. The rebuilding of rust belt city neighborhoods will grow outward if the CBD and districts close by reinvent themselves and attract folks on off-sports nights.
It requires on the part of urban planners, civic leaders and citizens themselves an acknowledgement that things have gone wrong, but that this effort at reconsolidating what is there is worth their while. If the idea of a city as a place that has outlived its usefulness prevails in folks' minds, then there needs to be a change in perception for this rebuilding to happen. Downtown Detroit in particular has such a wealth of quality buildings that could offer mixed use for residential and commercial purposes.