The recent untimely and unfortunate death of Julia Reyes Taubman leads me to ask if the era of Detroit ruin porn books is over? Has it been replaced by a celebration of new creative artistic efforts in the city? Michel Arnaud’s recent Detroit: The Dream is Now The Design, Art and Resurgence of an American City presents interesting and impressive photos of recently completed murals, public art and modest but significant architectural developments in the 138 square miles.

Is this the appropriate response to the extensive ruin porn literature?